Montell Griffin

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Montell Julian Griffin (born June 6, 1970 in Chicago) is an American boxer. He is best known for his two bouts at Light Heavyweight with Roy Jones Jr.

1 Professional career
- 1.1 Gaining and losing the championship
- 1.2 Post-championship career
2 Amateur career
3 External link

[edit] Professional career

Griffin, nicknamed "Ice," began his pro career in 1993. He rose to fame when he defeated James Toney twice by decision in 1995 and 1996.

[edit] Gaining and losing the championship

After his 1996 win over Toney, Griffin landed a shot at WBC Light Heavyweight Title holder Roy Jones Jr. Griffin handed Jones his first professional defeat. But the defeat was also filled with controversy. A frustrated Jones dropped Griffin with a series of hard and fast, head and body punches in round nine, and then hit him again twice on the head as Griffin was down on the canvas on his knees, leading to Jones's disqualification. They had an immediate rematch, and on August 21, Jones regained the WBC Light Heavyweight Title by knocking out Griffin in the first round.

[edit] Post-championship career

Since the loss to Jones, Griffin has remained at light heavyweight. He won 11 of his next 12 bouts, losing only to Eric Harding in the process. Against Harding, Griffin outboxed and outlanded his opponent, scoring a knockdown in the process, only to be lose by a split decision. Four consecutive knockout wins later, the now 38-2 Griffin squared off against 40-0 Dariusz Michalczewski. The 29-year-old Griffin won the first three rounds on the cards, but was cut by the 31-year-old Michalczewski's jab in the second round. In the fourth, Griffin was twice staggered, and took 14 unanswered shots to the head and gloves, which forced referee Joe Cortez to stop the bout.

In his next notable bout, Griffin went the distance with Antonio Tarver losing a wide decision. He also lost to Rico Hoye by split decision and to Julio César González, when the bout was stopped on a technicality and sent to the scorecards.

Griffin compiled a very respectable resume over the course of his career: outside of his two wins over Toney and disqualification win over Jones Jr, Griffin holds wins over Ka-Dy King, Ray Lathon, Randall Yonker, Derrick Harmon and George Khalid Jones.

[edit] Amateur career

Griffin compiled an amateur record of 36-5. He won the 1992 United States Amateur Light Heavyweight title, defeating future heavyweight titlist John Ruiz on points on the way.

At the 1992 Olympic Trials in Worcester, Massachusetts, Griffin was outpointed in the final by Jeremy Williams. However, at the Olympic Box-offs he outpointed Williams twice, to earn an Olympic bid at Light Heavyweight. His Olympic results were: