Otis Grant

Otis Grant (born December 23, 1967) is a Canadian retired boxer. As an amateur he won a silver medal for Canada at the 1987 Pan American Games, losing to Cuba's Angel Espinosa in the final. He is a two-time North American Boxing Federation (NABF) middleweight title holder, as well as recognized for being the first black Quebecer to win a WBO championship.[1][2]

For the football player, see Otis Grant (American football).
Otis Grant
Statistics
Real nameOtis Grant
Nickname(s)Magic
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 9 1⁄2 in (177 cm)
Reach71 in (180 cm)
Nationality Canadian
Born (1967-12-23) December 23, 1967
Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica
StanceSouthpaw
Boxing record
Total fights42
Wins38
Wins by KO17
Losses3
Draws1
No contests0
Medal record
Men’s Boxing
Representing  Canada
Pan American Games
1987 Indianapolis Middleweight

Early life

Born in Saint Ann, Jamaica, Otis and his family moved to Montreal in 1977, when he was 9 years old. A multi sport athlete, he began boxing at age 11 alongside his older brother Howard, and earned the nickname “Magic” from family members who related his basketball ability to hall of famer Magic Johnson.[3] At 17 years old, Grant had won the Canadian Senior Amateur Boxing Championships (CSABC) in his weight division of 71 kilos (156.5 pounds).[4] This would propel him to compete at the World Youth Championship for the Canadian national team, despite his junior status.[5] Later on, Otis competed at the 1987 Pan American Games, earning a silver medal by being defeated in the finals against Cuba's Angel Espinosa, before turning pro.[6]

Professional career

Known as "Magic", Grant turned pro in 1988 and captured the vacant WBO middleweight title in 1997 with a decision over Ryan Rhodes in England. He vacated the belt following a defense against Ernesto Rafael Sena in 1998.

Fight vs Roy Jones Jr.

After a successful career thus far as the middleweight title holder, Grant vacated his belt to challenge prevailing champ Roy Jones Jr in 1998 for the WBC and WBA light heavyweight titles, moving up two weight classes to make his debut in the light heavyweight division. The fighters decided on a catch-weight match, with Grant and Jones Jr. coming into the ring at 172 lbs (78 kg)and 171 lbs (77.56 kg), respectively.[7] Grant had been a large underdog coming into the fight. Jones Jr had the upper hand throughout the match up, earning knock downs in the 6th and 10th rounds. After his second knock down in the 10th round, Grant's trainer Russ Anber threw in the towel, giving Jones Jr. the TKO victory.[8]

Comeback

Following Grant's near-fatal car crash in 1999, doctors stated that although his superb condition saved his life,[9] he would be unable to continue boxing.[10] Nevertheless, Grant was determined to make a return to the ring in search of another title shot as a super middleweight. After a 4-year hiatus, he had his first fight back against Dingaan Thobela(40-10-2), defeating him convincingly in 8 rounds. Grant continued his winning streak for another straight 6 fights, until he faced off against Librado Andrade (23-0) in 2006 for the WBC Super Middleweight number 1 contender position. After being beat throughout the fight, Grant's team elected to sit out at the 8th round, giving Andrade the victory and the title shot. Grant chose this opportunity to retire, stating that it was now his time to “bow out, and bow out gracefully”.[11]

Personal life

Education

Grant took up post-secondary studies at Vanier College, eventually becoming one of their most well-known alumni. Following his cegep graduation, he enrolled in Concordia University and earned a BA in recreation and leisure studies, becoming a member of their class of ‘93.[12]

Accident

In June 1999, Grant was involved in a dangerous collision during a road trip back to Montreal.[13] Grant, who was the driver of the car, noticed an oncoming vehicle travelling north on a southbound lane and swerved towards the right to avoid contact for the passengers, but took the car's full impact on the driver's side. Passengers included former pro boxer Hercules Kyvelos and his then 6-year-old daughter. All were rushed to the emergency room in separate ambulances, although the passengers were virtually unscathed. Once recognizing that his daughter was safe at the hospital, Grant slipped into a coma for seven days.[14] Other injuries sustained during the crash included five broken ribs, a punctured lung, and a shattered shoulder blade, all on his left hand side. This accident came only six months after vacating his WBO (World Boxing Organization) title belt. Once reviewed by doctors, Grant was essentially told he would never be able to return to the ring. Despite this, he made his official comeback in 2003, earning a unanimous decision victory over former world champion Dingaan Thobela.[15]

Community work

After being approached by an organization to loan his name for charity,[16] Grant became convinced to use his name to aid the needy. Thus, the Otis Grant & Friends foundation was created. The Otis Grant & Friends is a non profit charity, established in 1999, initially formed to aid hunger, poverty and sicknesses within the community. The organization has grown generously, now donating food, clothes and medicine to communities all across Canada.[17][18] In addition to this, the organization sends children to summer camps whose families can't afford it, gives aid to special needs students at the high school level, as well as providing scholarships to graduating high school students who plan on post-secondary studies.[19]

Grant also spends time working as a teacher's assistant and counsellor for special needs students at Lindsay Place, a local high school in Montreal, helping them adjust to school life.[20] He is currently the coordinator at the community learning centre at Riverdale high school.

For all of his actions and benevolence towards the community, Otis Grant had been named the 2007 Concordia Alumnus of the year.[21]

Future outside the ring

Otis Grant, along with his brother Howard Grant, own a boxing gym in Dollard-Des-Ormeaux, Montreal, named Grant Brothers Boxing where he coaches and manages amateur boxing events and also professional events in association with Rixa Promotions and Groupe Yvon Michel. he is also involved in two boxing brands: Grant Boxing and GBB.[22] He is married to Betty Mullins and has 2 children Alexandria and Andrew. He lives with his family in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Recently the professional boxing gloves he helped developed ranked as the best gloves in term of protection with an average of 0.0005% ratio of injuries while according to the John Hopkin's Medical School is 3.6%.

Professional boxing record
Professional record summary
42 fights 38 wins 3 losses
By knockout 17 3
By decision 21 0
Draws 1
Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
Loss 38-3-1 Librado Andrade RTD 7 (12) 08/04/2006 Montreal Casino, Montreal, Quebec Lost WBC World Super Middleweight Title Eliminator.
Win 38-2-1 Donnell Wiggins UD 10 29/10/2005 Lac Leamy Casino, Gatineau, Quebec
Win 37-2-1 Charles Adamu UD 12 18/06/2005 Bell Centre, Montreal, Quebec Retained WBC International Super Middleweight Title.
Win 36-2-1 Nader Hamdan UD 12 12/03/2005 Montreal Casino, Montreal, Quebec Retained WBC International Super Middleweight Title.
Win 35-2-1 Henry Porras UD 12 11/12/2004 Montreal Casino, Montreal, Quebec Won WBC International Super Middleweight Title.
Win 34-2-1 Mark Woolnough UD 10 11/09/2004 Montreal Casino, Montreal, Quebec Won Canada Super Middleweight Title.
Win 33-2-1 Prince Badi Ajamu MD 10 24/04/2004 Colisée Pepsi, Quebec City, Quebec
Win 32-2-1 Dingaan Thobela UD 8 22/11/2003 Bell Centre, Montreal, Quebec
Loss 31-2-1 Roy Jones, Jr. TKO 10 (12) 14/11/1998 Foxwoods Resort, Mashantucket, Connecticut For WBC and WBA World Light Heavyweight Titles.
Win 31-1-1 Ernesto Rafael Sena TD 9 12/05/1998 Corel Centre, Ottawa, Ontario Retained WBO World Middleweight Title.
Win 30-1-1 Ryan Rhodes UD 12 13/12/1997 Ponds Forge, Sheffield, Yorkshire Won vacant WBO World Middleweight Title.
Win 29-1-1 Danny Garcia TKO 7 (12) 27/07/1997 Belle Casino, Baton Rouge, Louisiana Retained NABF Middleweight Title.
Draw 28-1-1 Lonnie Bradley PTS 12 04/03/1997 The Aladdin, Las Vegas, Nevada WBO World Middleweight Title.
Win 28-1 Rodney Toney MD 12 18/06/1996 Convention Center, Edison, New Jersey Retained NABF Middleweight Title.
Win 27-1 James Green TKO 12 15/01/1996 Landmark Inn, Woodbridge, New Jersey Retained NABF Middleweight Title.
Win 26-1 Derrick James DQ 11 (12) 10/10/1995 Blue Cross Arena, Rochester, New York Won NABF Middleweight Title.
Win 25-1 Undra White UD 10 24/02/1995 Palais des Sports, Jonquière, Quebec
Win 24-1 William Bo James PTS 10 15/12/1994 Foxwoods Resort, Mashantucket, Connecticut
Win 23-1 Jerry Lee Williams UD 10 15/11/1994 Forum, Montreal, Quebec
Loss 22-1 Quincy Taylor KO 12 (12) 15/03/1994 The Roxy, Boston, Massachusetts Lost NABF Middleweight Title.
Win 22-0 Willie Monroe UD 12 05/10/1993 The Riviera, Las Vegas, Nevada Retained NABF Middleweight Title.
Win 21-0 Brett Lally TKO 4 (12) 03/08/1993 The Riviera, Las Vegas, Nevada Retained NABF Middleweight Title.
Win 20-0 Tyrone Moore KO 2 (10) 18/06/1993 Hotel Le Roussillon, Jonquière, Quebec
Win 19-0 Ron Collins UD 12 08/12/1992 Forum, Montreal, Quebec Retained NABF Middleweight Title.
Win 18-0 Gilbert Baptist UD 12 28/09/1992 Verdun, Quebec Won vacant NABF Middleweight Title.
Win 17-0 Todd Nadon TKO 3 (12) 17/03/1992 Forum, Montreal, Quebec Retained Canada Middleweight Title.
Win 16-0 Darryl Anthony UD 10 10/12/1991 Montreal, Quebec
Win 15-0 Dan Sherry RTD 7 (12) 27/09/1991 Memorial Arena, Niagara Falls, Ontario Won Canada Middleweight Title.
Win 14-0 Eddie Tyler TKO 2 (8) 31/05/1991 St. Joseph Arena, Shediac, New Brunswick
Win 13-0 Jaime Ollenberger TKO 3 (12) 18/03/1991 Halifax Forum, Halifax, Nova Scotia Won WBC Intercontinental Super Middleweight Title.
Win 12-0 Darrell Flint KO 1 (8) 25/10/1990 Forum, Montreal, Quebec
Win 11-0 Knox Brown TKO 6 (10) 02/10/1990 The Palace, Laval, Quebec
Win 10-0 Danny Mitchell UD 8 01/08/1990 Copps Coliseum, Hamilton, Ontario
Win 9-0 Dwayne North KO 1 11/04/1990 Albany, New York
Win 8-0 Art McCloud TKO 1 03/10/1989 The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Win 7-0 John Wilkinson TKO 3 (6) 27/06/1989 Paul Sauvé Arena, Montreal, Quebec
Win 6-0 Fred Johnson KO 1 16/06/1989 Hartford, Connecticut
Win 5-0 Don Carroll PTS 4 23/05/1989 Showboat Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey
Win 4-0 Stokely Crichlow TKO 1 (6) 05/05/1989 Hartford Civic Center, Hartford, Connecticut
Win 3-0 Alan Cormier TKO 3 (4) 28/04/1989 Roseland Ballroom, Taunton, Massachusetts
Win 2-0 Bernard Rompre TKO 1 (4) 20/03/1989 Paul Sauvé Arena, Montreal, Quebec
Win 1-0 John Gross UD 4 29/11/1988 Montreal Forum, Montreal, Quebec Grant pro debut.

See also
  • List of middleweight boxing champions

References
  1. https://www.concordia.ca/alumni-giving/alumni/news/awards-honours/recognition-awards/alumnus-alumna-of-the-year/2007/02/otis-grant.php
  2. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2013-03-19.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2013-03-19.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1946&dat=19850513&id=AoY0AAAAIBAJ&sjid=2KUFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1457,1559288
  5. https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1946&dat=19850513&id=AoY0AAAAIBAJ&sjid=2KUFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1457,1559288
  6. http://directory.espeakers.com/team/speaker.php?sid=11805&showreturntoresults=true
  7. http://www.vaniercollege.qc.ca/notablealumni/otisgrant/prior_nov2003_interview.html
  8. http://www.thesweetscience.com/columnists/joe-rein/3667-otis-grant-magic-man-set-to-disappear
  9. http://www.thesweetscience.com/columnists/joe-rein/3667-otis-grant-magic-man-set-to-disappear
  10. http://directory.espeakers.com/team/speaker.php?sid=11805&showreturntoresults=true
  11. http://www.thesweetscience.com/columnists/joe-rein/3667-otis-grant-magic-man-set-to-disappear
  12. https://www.concordia.ca/alumni-giving/alumni/news/awards-honours/recognition-awards/alumnus-alumna-of-the-year/2007/02/otis-grant.php
  13. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2013-03-19.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  14. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2013-03-19.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  15. http://www.thesweetscience.com/columnists/joe-rein/3667-otis-grant-magic-man-set-to-disappear
  16. http://directory.espeakers.com/team/speaker.php?sid=11805&showreturntoresults=true
  17. http://www.otisgrantandfriends.com/about_charity.html
  18. http://montreal.ctvnews.ca/otis-grant-former-boxer-helping-the-community-1.833385
  19. http://www.otisgrantandfriends.com/about_charity.html
  20. https://www.concordia.ca/alumni-giving/alumni/news/awards-honours/recognition-awards/alumnus-alumna-of-the-year/2007/02/otis-grant.php
  21. https://www.concordia.ca/alumni-giving/alumni/news/awards-honours/recognition-awards/alumnus-alumna-of-the-year/2007/02/otis-grant.php
  22. http://montreal.ctvnews.ca/otis-grant-former-boxer-helping-the-community-1.833385
Achievements
Vacant
Title last held by
Lonnie Bradley		 WBO middleweight champion
December 13, 1997 - November 14, 1998
Vacated		 Vacant
Title next held by
Bert Schenk
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