Michael Sprott
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. Please discuss this issue on the talk page or replace this tag with a more specific message. This article has been tagged since February 2007. |
| Michael Sprott | |
| Statistics | |
|---|---|
| Real name | Michael Sprott |
| Nickname | {{{nickname}}} |
| Weight | Heavyweight |
| Nationality |  English |
| Birth date | January 16, 1975 |
| Birth place | Reading, Berkshire, England, UK |
| Style | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 40 |
| Wins | 30 |
| Wins by KO | 15 |
| Losses | 10 |
| Draws | 0 |
| No contests | 0 |
Michael Sprott, (born January 16, 1975) is a professional heavyweight boxer from Reading, Berkshire, England.
Contents |
[edit] Early career
After a quiet amateur career, Sprott turned pro in November 1996 under the old Frank Bruno trainer, Terry Lawless. He won 11 fights, including a points win over veteran Michael Murray, before taking on Harry Senior in September 1998 for the Southern Area Heavyweight title. Senior, a respected sparring partner, had recently dedicated himself to being a full-time professional, and took Sprott out in 6 rounds with body shots. Sprott would come back with 3 wins before falling apart in 3 rounds versus British contender Wayne Llewelyn in October 2000.
[edit] Contender
Seemingly relegated to journeyman status, In February 2001 in London Sprott scored an upset when he outpointed the giant German Timo Hoffman, who was highly in Europe and had lost only to Vitali Klitschko. He travelled to Germany for the rematch, controversially outpointed by Hoffman in a result that was jeered loudly by the German crowd.
In November 2001 he travelled to South Africa to face hard hitting veteran Corrie Sanders. In a brief and entertaining fight, Sprott rocked the southpaw before being decked himself, and suffering what appeared a very premature stoppage by the referee when it appeared he wanted to continue.
In February 2002 Keith Long pulled out from a British and Commonwealth title fight with Danny Williams, and Sprott flew in from a holiday in Jamaica on only a few days notice. After a few rounds he ran out of gas and was stopped in 7.
After this challenge, Sprott went on a successful run of form, winning 8 fights, including knockouts of hard hitting Pele Reid (KO7), ex-British champ Michael Holden (KO4), Mark Potter (KO3), and Colin Kenna (KO1), setting up a rematch with Williams.
In September 2003 Sprott qualified for another shot at Williams and his titles, but after a far more competitive fight, Sprott was the victim of several low blows. When he complained to the referee he was controversially knocked out by a Williams right hook.
[edit] Champion and international competition
In January 2004 Sprott narrowly outpointed Williams in their third and final fight (115-114), lifting the British and Commonwealth titles. A few months later Williams would knockout Mike Tyson, however Sprott would lose his titles in his first defense, matched with fast rising Matt Skelton (12-0), Sprott was mauled and stopped in the 12th.
In 2005 Sprott would take the first of many trips abroad fighting top prospects, usually at short notice. In April he beat the well regarded Cengiz Koc, but in October was outpointed by the huge Olympian Paulo Vidoz in a European title fight,both fights in Germany. In December he fought future European champ Vladimir Virchis in Austria, but was the victim of a controversial decision loss.
In February 2006 he outboxed veteran Antoine Palatis in Scotland, but in a WBO Eliminator in July was hammered in 8 one-sided rounds by hot prospect Ruslan Chagaev. Despite the loss he went back to Germany and outpointed huge southpaw Rene Dettweiller in November.
[edit] Upset of Audley Harrison
During his travels in Germany Sprott had picked up the second-tier European Heavyweight title, the "EU" title, which he defended against 2000 Olympic Gold medallist Audley Harrison in London, February 2007. Harrison had demolished Danny Williams in his last fight and was on course to face Matt Skelton in a world title eliminator. A 9/2 underdog with most bookies, Sprott came off the floor in the 1st round to knock Harrison clean out in the 3rd with a left hook; and seemingly ending his career[1].
Sprott will now take Harrison's place fighting Skelton for the world title eliminator.
[edit] References
- ^ Mike Lewis. "Sprott calls time on Harrison's dream", The Daily Telegraph, 2007-02-19. Retrieved on 2007-02-23.
