Roman Greenberg

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Roman Greenberg (born 18 May 1982, in Russia) is a British-based Israeli 6' 3" heavyweight boxer, currently International Boxing Organization's (IBO's) Intercontinental heavyweight champion.

1 Boxing career
- 1.1 Boxing style
2 Miscellaneous
3 Links

[edit] Boxing career

He has won all 25 of his professional bouts - 17 with K.O. victories.

Angelo Dundee says that "Greenberg has the fastest hands for a heavyweight since Muhammad Ali."[1]

Greenberg began boxing at the age of 11, after a friend took him to a boxing club in their neighborhood in Kiryat Bialik. He fought his first match two years later.

At 15, in 1997 he won the silver medal at the European junior boxing championships.[2]

In 1999 he was the youngest-ever winner of the Israeli national heavyweight title.[3]

Greenberg picked up a silver medal at the Junior World Championships in 2000 in Budapest.

He posted a 47-5 amateur record. Greenberg has only been knocked out once, by an opponent 11 years his senior in the national championships, when he was only 15.[4]

He made his pro debut in November 2001, after serving seven months in the Israeli Army.[5]

His most recent victory, his 25th, was a unanimous decision over Michael Simms (formerly 19-6-1; 13 KOs) at Madison Square Garden in March 2007, as he got the nod from the three judges, all by 99-91 scores as he won nine of the 10 rounds, controlling the action with his frequent jab, and much less frequent left hook.[6][7][8]

As of March 2007, prior to his 25th victory he was ranked 41st in the International Boxing Organization's heavyweight computerized rankings. Of those ahead of him, only# 34 ranked Alexander Dimitrenko was as young as he is. Both were undefeated.[9]

[edit] Boxing style

Greenberg uses an "orthodox" stance.[10]

He is best at moving his legs, creating angles, and confusing opponents.[11] He has also been referred to as "cerebral,"[12] with "lightening fast reflexes"[13], "incredibly quick hands,[14] and a "solid jab and quickness of fist."[15] He "has plenty of flashy moves and can escape from a corner and counter as well as anyone in the division."[16] At the same time he has been described as steady and patient.[17]

Some experts maintain he is not a big enough puncher to bother the very best heavyweights, however.[18] He has also been criticised for just doing enough to win rounds and adopting a safety first attitude, but has responded: "When it is time to take risks in a very big fight, like for the world title, then I will be happy to take the risks. But why should I take unnecessary risks in fights I'm clearly winning?"[19] He has also been criticized for seeing to be "unwilling to maintain a high level of work," and being "guilty of dropping his hands and stepping back to admire his own work whenever he landed a flashy combination."[20] He has also received his share of criticism for not jumping on weakened opponents, and lacking killer instinct. His conditioning in a November 2006 fight was suspect, as he sported a flabby mid-body for the first time in his professional career.[21]

[edit] Miscellaneous

Greenberg, who is Jewish, wears a Star of David on his trunks.[22] "Through the Star of David, I represent Israel and myself," he said. "All through history, the Jews have always had to fight for their freedom and for their lives. When I come out wearing the Star of David, it shows the whole world that the Jews are still here and that they are successful."[23]

Greenberg speaks four languages - Hebrew, Russian, German, and English.[24]

His brother was the Junior Chess Champion of Israel in 2004.

Greenberg is well known for his vocal support of the State of Israel, which has led some to believe he will suffer from a lack of sponsorship as a result of new Anti-Semitism.[25]