Mark Breland
Mark Anthony Breland (born May 11, 1963) is an American retired world champion boxer who won five New York Golden Gloves titles and a gold medal at the 1984 Olympics, was awarded the 1982 Boxer of the Year by USAABF,[1] and rated #1 amateur welterweight in the world by AIBA in 1984.[2] He later became an actor with a wide range of movie and television credits, having made his debut in The Lords of Discipline, and also appeared in the music video for The Pointer Sisters' 1985 hit single, "Dare Me." At 6' and two and a half inches tall, Breland is one of the tallest World Welterweight champions of all time.
 Breland (left) and Serik Konakbayev (right) in 2010 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Mark Anthony Breland | |||||||||||||||||||
| Born | May 11, 1963 (age 57) Brooklyn, New York, U.S. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 2 1⁄2 in (189 cm) | |||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Amateur career
Breland, who was born in Brooklyn, New York, began fighting when he was 9 years old, taking on challengers in the lobby and hallways of the housing project which happened to be his home. At 13, he entered the gym and embraced boxing as a way of life.[3] He is a five-time New York Golden Gloves Champion (1980–84), his record in this competition was 21–0 (19 KO's), with 14 knockouts coming in the 1st round.
Breland made an acting appearance in the movie The Lords of Discipline.
Breland was so exceptional, that he has been having trouble getting sparring partners in the Bedford-Stuyvesant Boxing Association Gym. In June 1984, when he was preparing himself for the forthcoming National Olympic Trials, he went to Grossinger, New York, to train with the Kronks, there he sparred with the WBC Super Welterweight Champion Thomas Hearns, who in turn was preparing to fight Roberto Durán. At that time Breland has been trained by Emanuel Steward.[4] At that time he narrowly escaped bigger troubles, falling under destructive influence of his teammate Ricky Womack, who happened to be an authoritative figure for Breland, eventually was sentenced and jailed.[5]
Highlights
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Participated in the United States National Championships, in Concord, California, May 1981:
Made the U.S. National Team at the World Champ Box-Offs in Colorado Springs, Colorado, April 1982:
Won the USA–Poland Duals (Welterweight) in Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, October 1982:
Withdrew from the United States National Championships, in Indianapolis, Indiana, December 1982:
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Won the AIBA International Challenge (Welterweight) in Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan, May 1983:
Won the AIBA International Challenge (Welterweight) in Los Angeles, California, April 1984:
Qualified as a Welterweight at the National Olympic Trials in Fort Worth, Texas, June 1984:
Made the U.S. National Team at the Olympic Box-Offs in Las Vegas, Nevada, July 1984:
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Already in 1981, age 18, professional boxing promoters and managers have offered him huge sums up to $300,000 to sign a professional contract. But Breland has turned down these offers, partly by anticipating the 1984 Olympics, and in part because due to the promoters' neglect: "It's not 'cause I need the money. It's 'cause they need the money. Hey, I can get hurt." Planning his professional career, he planned to leave the ring before he's 30.[3]
Breland compiled an impressive amateur record of 110–1 (with 73 knockouts,[6] plus one unaccounted loss by medical disqualification,[7] due to withdrawal because of toxic poisioning, spent most of the week in a New York hospital.[1])
Professional career
Breland turned professional in 1984. In 1987, Breland won the vacant WBA welterweight title. He lost it in his first defense to Marlon Starling. In 1989, Breland again won the vacant WBA Welterweight Title. He made three successful title defenses before losing it to Aaron Davis in a back-and-forth 9-round contest that was nearly called off twice because of injuries to Davis' eye before Breland was knocked out in round 9.
In 1997, Breland retired with a professional record of 35–3–1 (25 KOs).
Breland is currently a boxing trainer, having trained Vernon Forrest and former WBC Heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder among other notable boxers.
Professional boxing record
| 35 Wins (25 knockouts, 10 decisions), 3 Losses (3 knockouts), 1 Draw [8] | |||||||
| Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
| Win | 35–3–1 |  |
UD | 10 | 1997-03-21 | |
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| Win | 34–3–1 | |
TKO | 2 (10) | 1997-01-10 | |
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| Win | 33–3–1 | |
UD | 10 | 1996-06-07 | |
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| Win | 32–3–1 | |
KO | 3 (10) | 1996-05-19 | |
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| Win | 31–3–1 | |
TKO | 3 (10) | 1996-01-27 | |
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| Loss | 30–3–1 |  |
TKO | 6 (10) | 1991-09-13 | |
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| Win | 30–2–1 | |
TKO | 1 (10) | 1991-07-12 | |
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| Win | 29–2–1 | |
UD | 10 | 1991-06-10 | |
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| Win | 28–2–1 | |
KO | 1 (10) | 1991-04-09 | |
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| Loss | 27–2–1 | |
KO | 9 (12) | 1990-07-08 | |
Lost WBA welterweight title |
| Win | 27–1–1 |  |
TKO | 3 (12) | 1990-03-03 | |
Retained WBA welterweight title |
| Win | 26–1–1 |  |
TKO | 4 (12) | 1989-12-10 | |
Retained WBA welterweight title |
| Win | 25–1–1 |  |
TKO | 2 (12) | 1989-10-13 | |
Retained WBA welterweight title |
| Win | 24–1–1 |  |
TKO | 5 (12) | 1989-04-22 | |
Retained WBA welterweight title |
| Win | 23–1–1 |  |
TKO | 1 (12) | 1989-02-04 | |
Won vacant WBA welterweight title |
| Win | 22–1–1 | |
KO | 1 (10) | 1988-10-07 | |
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| Win | 21–1–1 |  |
KO | 1 (10) | 1988-08-11 | |
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| Draw | 20–1–1 | |
PTS | 12 | 1988-04-16 | |
For WBA welterweight title |
| Win | 20–1 | |
TKO | 3 (10) | 1988-02-05 | |
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| Win | 19–1 | |
UD | 10 | 1987-12-05 | |
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| Loss | 18–1 | |
TKO | 11 (15) | 1987-08-22 | |
Lost WBA welterweight title |
| Win | 18–0 |  |
PTS | 10 | 1987-07-10 |  |
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| Win | 17–0 | .svg.png){kind=small} |
TKO | 7 (15) | 1987-02-06 | |
Won vacant WBA welterweight title |
| Win | 16–0 | |
TKO | 2 (10) | 1986-11-13 | |
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| Win | 15–0 | |
KO | 1 (10) | 1986-10-15 | |
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| Win | 14–0 | |
KO | 2 (10) | 1986-09-14 | |
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| Win | 13–0 |  |
TKO | 6 (10) | 1986-06-21 | |
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| Win | 12–0 | |
KO | 1 (10) | 1986-05-15 | |
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| Win | 11–0 | |
TKO | 3 (10), 2:14 | 1986-04-12 | |
Avenged the earlier amateur loss[9] |
| Win | 10–0 | |
KO | 1 (10) | 1986-03-02 | |
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| Win | 9–0 | |
UD | 10 | 1986-01-25 | |
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| Win | 8–0 | |
UD | 8 | 1985-12-21 | |
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| Win | 7–0 | |
KO | 2 (8) | 1985-10-18 | |
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| Win | 6–0 | |
TKO | 1 (8) | 1985-07-20 | |
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| Win | 5–0 | |
KO | 2 (6) | 1985-06-19 | |
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| Win | 4–0 | |
KO | 2 (6) | 1985-05-17 | |
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| Win | 3–0 | |
UD | 6 | 1985-04-06 | |
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| Win | 2–0 | |
UD | 6 | 1985-01-05 | |
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| Win | 1–0 | |
UD | 6 | 1984-11-15 | |
Pro debut |
References
- Essett advances to USABC finals by David Knight, The Indianapolis Star, December 17, 1982, p. 68.
- Boxing Ratings, UPI, February 27, 1984.
- Norman, Michael (December 13, 1981). "Golden Boys Of The Ghetto". The New York Times. p. 55. Retrieved 2019-06-16.
- 1984 Olympic Boxing Trials in Fort Worth, Texas, hosted by Howard Cosell.
- Becoming Holyfield: A Fighter's Journey, 2008, pp. 41-42.
- Boxers Chase Olympic Berth, by Ed Schuyler Jr. AP Sports Writer, Wilson Daily Times, July 6, 1984, p. 11.
- Boxing, U.S. Amateur (UPI,) European Stars And Stripes, December 14, 1982, p. 25.
- Boxing record for Mark Breland. BoxRec.com.
- Breland avenges only career loss by Ed Schuyler Jr. (Associated Press,) The Atlanta Constitution, April 13, 1986, p. 73.
External links
| Preceded by Lloyd Honeyghan Stripped |
WBA Welterweight Champion 6 February 1987 – 22 August 1987 |
Succeeded by Marlon Starling |
| Preceded by Tomás Molinares Vacated |
WBA Welterweight Champion 4 February 1989 – 8 July 1990 |
Succeeded by Aaron Davis |
| Preceded by Kenny Baysmore |
The Ring Prospect of the Year 1984 |
Succeeded by Mike Tyson |
1904: 135–145 lb (61.2–65.8 kg), 1920 – 1936: 135–147 lb (61.2–66.7 kg), 1948: 62–67 kg, 1952 – 2000: 63.5–67 kg, 2004 – 2012: 64–69 kg | |
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