Mark Breland

Mark Anthony Breland (born May 11, 1963) is an American retired world champion boxer who won five New York Golden Gloves titles, surpassing Sugar Ray Robinson for the most wins in the history of the Golden Gloves. He is currently in 6 Halls of Fame: The Connecticut Boxing Hall of Hame, The New York State Boxing Hall of Hame, The New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame, The Golden Gloves Hall of Fame, The African American Ethnic Sports Hall of Fame, and The USA Boxing Olympics Alumni Association Hall of Fame. Additionally, Breland received The 2018 Emanuel Steward Trainer of the Year Award. Breland is notably the only amateur boxer to have ever graced the cover of Ring magazine, and the only amateur whose picture hangs in Colorado Springs U.S. Olympic Training Center. The Smithsonian Museum for African American History and Culture in Washington, DC displays an honorary picture of Mark Breland in recognition of his achievements.

Mark Breland
Breland (left) and Serik Konakbayev (right) in 2010
Personal information
Full nameMark Anthony Breland
BornMay 11, 1963 (1963-05-11) (age 57)
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Height6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Medal record
Men’s boxing
Representing the  United States
Olympic Games
1984 Los Angeles Welterweight
World Championships
1982 Munich Welterweight

Mark Breland won 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 3 inches tall, Breland is one of the tallest World Welterweight champions of all time.

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 was being 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

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 by defeating Harold Volbrecht by seventh round TKO. 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 caught and knocked out knocked out in round 9.

In 1997, Breland retired with a professional record of 35–3–1 (25 KOs). His record blemishes were a draw with Marlon Starling and losses to Jorge Vaca, Aaron David and Marlon Starling..

Breland is currently a boxing trainer, having trained Vernon Forrest and former WBC Heavyweight champion and knockout artist 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 Rick Haynes UD 10 1997-03-21 Jacksonville, Florida
Win 34–3–1 Bobby Butters TKO 2 (10) 1997-01-10 Riverfront Sports Arena, Jacksonville, Florida
Win 33–3–1 Darryl Lattimore UD 10 1996-06-07 Madison Square Garden, New York City
Win 32–3–1 Buck Smith KO 3 (10) 1996-05-19 The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan
Win 31–3–1 Ricardo Smith TKO 3 (10) 1996-01-27 Schwartz Athletic Center, Brooklyn, New York
Loss 30–3–1 Jorge Vaca TKO 6 (10) 1991-09-13 ARCO Arena, Sacramento, California
Win 30–2–1 Julian Samaha TKO 1 (10) 1991-07-12 Caesars Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada
Win 29–2–1 Henry Anaya Jr. UD 10 1991-06-10 Meadowlands Exposition Center, Secaucus, New Jersey
Win 28–2–1 Ariel Conde KO 1 (10) 1991-04-09 The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan
Loss 27–2–1 Aaron Davis KO 9 (12) 1990-07-08 Harrah's Reno, Reno, Nevada Lost WBA welterweight title
Win 27–1–1 Lloyd Honeyghan TKO 3 (12) 1990-03-03 Wembley Arena, Wembley, London Retained WBA welterweight title
Win 26–1–1 Fujio Ozaki TKO 4 (12) 1989-12-10 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo Retained WBA welterweight title
Win 25–1–1 Mauro Martelli TKO 2 (12) 1989-10-13 Patinoire des Vernets, Geneva Retained WBA welterweight title
Win 24–1–1 Rafael Pineda TKO 5 (12) 1989-04-22 Trump Castle, Atlantic City, New Jersey Retained WBA welterweight title
Win 23–1–1 Seung-Soon Lee TKO 1 (12) 1989-02-04 Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada Won vacant WBA welterweight title
Win 22–1–1 Ozzie O'Neal KO 1 (10) 1988-10-07 The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan
Win 21–1–1 Pablo Baez KO 1 (10) 1988-08-11 DiVinci Manor, Chicago, Illinois
Draw 20–1–1 Marlon Starling PTS 12 1988-04-16 Las Vegas Hilton, Las Vegas, Nevada For WBA welterweight title
Win 20–1 Juan Antonio Villa TKO 3 (10) 1988-02-05 Atlantic City Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey
Win 19–1 Javier Suazo UD 10 1987-12-05 Atlantic City Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey
Loss 18–1 Marlon Starling TKO 11 (15) 1987-08-22 Township Auditorium, Columbia, South Carolina Lost WBA welterweight title
Win 18–0 Juan Bautista Rondon PTS 10 1987-07-10 Forte Village Resort, Sardinia
Win 17–0 Harold Volbrecht TKO 7 (15) 1987-02-06 Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey Won vacant WBA welterweight title
Win 16–0 Orlando Orozco TKO 2 (10) 1986-11-13 Felt Forum, New York City
Win 15–0 Ralph Twinning KO 1 (10) 1986-10-15 Columbia, South Carolina
Win 14–0 Reggie Miller KO 2 (10) 1986-09-14 Atlantic City, New Jersey
Win 13–0 John Munduga TKO 6 (10) 1986-06-21 The Sands, Atlantic City, New Jersey
Win 12–0 Ricky Avendano KO 1 (10) 1986-05-15 Felt Forum, New York City
Win 11–0 Darryl Anthony TKO 3 (10), 2:14 1986-04-12 Ice World, Totowa, New Jersey Avenged the earlier amateur loss[9]
Win 10–0 Richard Aguirre KO 1 (10) 1986-03-02 Americana Host Farm, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Win 9–0 Troy Wortham UD 10 1986-01-25 Americana Host Farm, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Win 8–0 Hedgemon Robertson UD 8 1985-12-21 Virginia Beach Pavilion, Virginia Beach, Virginia
Win 7–0 Donald Gwinn KO 2 (8) 1985-10-18 Felt Forum, New York City
Win 6–0 Don Shiver TKO 1 (8) 1985-07-20 Norfolk Scope, Norfolk, Virginia
Win 5–0 Dario DeJesus KO 2 (6) 1985-06-19 Ice World, Totowa, New Jersey
Win 4–0 Vince Dunfee KO 2 (6) 1985-05-17 Caesars Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada
Win 3–0 Steve "Lightning" Little UD 6 1985-04-06 San Angelo, Texas
Win 2–0 Marlon Palmer UD 6 1985-01-05 Harrah's Marina, Atlantic City, New Jersey
Win 1–0 Dwight Williams UD 6 1984-11-15 Madison Square Garden, New York City Pro debut

References
  1. Essett advances to USABC finals by David Knight, The Indianapolis Star, December 17, 1982, p. 68.
  2. Boxing Ratings, UPI, February 27, 1984.
  3. Norman, Michael (December 13, 1981). "Golden Boys Of The Ghetto". The New York Times. p. 55. Retrieved 2019-06-16.
  4. 1984 Olympic Boxing Trials in Fort Worth, Texas, hosted by Howard Cosell.
  5. Becoming Holyfield: A Fighter's Journey, 2008, pp. 41-42.
  6. Boxers Chase Olympic Berth, by Ed Schuyler Jr. AP Sports Writer, Wilson Daily Times, July 6, 1984, p. 11.
  7. Boxing, U.S. Amateur (UPI,) European Stars And Stripes, December 14, 1982, p. 25.
  8. Boxing record for Mark Breland. BoxRec.com.
  9. Breland avenges only career loss by Ed Schuyler Jr. (Associated Press,) The Atlanta Constitution, April 13, 1986, p. 73.
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
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