Brian Nielsen (born 1 April 1965) is a Danish former professional boxer and Olympic bronze medalist.[1] He held the IBO heavyweight title from 1996 to 1999 successfully defending it five times, including against Larry Holmes and Phil Jackson, the second highest number of defenses behind Wladimir Klitschko's record of 18. At one point of time, he equaled Rocky Marciano's record of 49 successive wins with no losses. While he never held a world title from any of the main four sanctioning bodies (WBC, IBF, WBA, WBO), he did defeat several former world champions who had, including Orlin Norris, Carlos De León, Jeff Lampkin, and Tony Tubbs.

Brian Nielsen
Born (1965-04-01) 1 April 1965 (age 59)
Korsør, Denmark
NationalityDanish
Other namesSuper Brian
Bokse Brian ("Boxing Brian")
Boksebamsen
("The Boxing Teddybear")
Statistics
Weight(s)Heavyweight
Height1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
Reach196 cm (77 in)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights67
Wins64
Wins by KO43
Losses3
Medal record
Representing  Denmark
Men's boxing
Olympic Games
Bronze medal – third place 1992 Barcelona Super heavyweight
European Amateur Championships
Bronze medal – third place 1991 Gothenburg Super heavyweight

Amateur career

edit

As an amateur, Nielsen won bronze medals in the super heavyweight division at the 1991 European Championships and the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona.

Brian Nielsen was sent to Svendborg, where Johnny Antonsen had arranged a match against the local hero Carsten Dahl. Nielsen easily beat Dahl, winning the bout by knockout in the second round. Dahl later got the opportunity for revenge, but again Nielsen won by knockout.

He was both Zealand champion and Danish champion for five consecutive years (1988-1992), and also won numerous international tournaments. His career as an amateur ended after the Olympics in Barcelona in 1992 where he won the bronze. In the semifinals he lost to the powerful Cuban Roberto Balado. Balado won 15 to 1.

In total, Nielsen boxed 111 fights as an amateur and won 104. He only took a count once in amateur career, and only once was he stopped before time - during the 1989 European Championship bout, where he suffered a cut near one of his eyes. His opponent at this match was the Greek boxer George Tsachakis who attended the final.

Professional career

edit

After his win over 41-year-old ex-World Boxing Association champion James 'Bonecrusher' Smith in October 1994, Nielsen began to attract attention. He went on to hold the minor IBO belt during an unbeaten streak equaling that of legend Rocky Marciano. He later held the minor IBC belt.

Tyson fight

edit

On 13 October 2001, Nielsen fought Mike Tyson at the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen. After six rounds heavily in Tyson's favour, Nielsen quit on his stool citing an eye injury. Nielsen was knocked down once in the third round.[2]

Announced comeback and Holyfield fight

edit

On February 8, 2010, Brian Nielsen told reporters that he was prepared to return to the ring, after 8 years of absence,[3] and that a proposed fight against Evander Holyfield had been met with interest by both sides.[4] Though originally thought unrealistic by former promoter Mogens Palle, due to Nielsen's bad knee,[5] Nielsen's comeback was confirmed by Nielsen's promoter Sauerland Event on June 1, 2010.

Nielsen met Holyfield on May 7, 2011 in a World Boxing Federation (WBF) title bout, in Copenhagen. Holyfield won the fight, knocking Nielsen down in the 3rd with a left hook and stopping him by TKO in the 10th.

Controversy

edit

At a press conference prior to the Mike Tyson fight, Nielsen called Tyson an "abekat" which was translated as "monkey". The Tyson camp took great offense at this supposed racial slur, and Tyson himself declared, "This will make me punish him even more than I had planned."[6] The controversy over the remark calmed down when the expression was clarified to the media by Danish linguists as having no racial connotations and simply meaning "brat" in Danish.[7]

Controversy arose in early 2004, when journeyman heavyweight Thomas Williams stated that he had been bribed to throw his fight against Nielsen in March, 2000. Along with promoter Robert Mitchell, Williams was indicted by the United States District Court for the District of Nevada for match fixing in order to promote the career of Richie Melito, and it was during the FBI's investigation of that case that Williams admitted to intentionally losing to Nielsen. The fix was arranged by promoter Robert Mittleman, a frequent associate of Nielsen's promoter Mogens Palle, who later confessed that he had been paid $1,000, while Williams had received "up to $40,000" from Palle in order to lose the fight. Williams, Mitchell and Mittleman were all found guilty of sports bribery by the court in November and December, 2004.[8][9]

The Nielsen vs. Williams fight was the 57th of Nielsen's career. Nielsen and Mogens Palle denied any knowledge of the match fixing, and were not charged of any wrongdoing by American or Danish authorities.

Professional boxing record

edit
67 fights 64 wins 3 losses
By knockout 43 3
By decision 21 0
Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
Loss 64–3 Evander Holyfield TKO 10 (12) 2011-05-07   Koncerthuset, Copenhagen, Denmark
Win 64–2 Uriah Grant UD 8 2002-04-19   Falconer Centret, Frederiksberg, Denmark
Win 63–2 Ken Murphy UD 8 2001-11-16   Roskilde Hallerne, Roskilde, Denmark
Loss 62–2 Mike Tyson RTD 6 (10) 2001-10-13   Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, Denmark
Win 62–1 Orlin Norris UD 12 2001-06-16   Brøndby Hallen, Brøndby, Denmark Retained IBC heavyweight title
Win 61–1 Benji Baker TKO 6 (8) 2001-04-27   Aalborg Hallen, Aalborg, Denmark
Win 60–1 Dicky Ryan UD 8 2000-12-01   Viborg Stadionhal, Viborg, Denmark
Win 59–1 Andy Sample TKO 2 (8) 2000-11-03   K.B. Hallen, Copenhagen, Denmark
Win 58–1 Kevin Cook KO 1 (8) 2000-10-06   Næstved Hallen, Næstved, Denmark
Win 57–1 Jeremy Williams TKO 5 (12) 2000-04-28   K.B. Hallen, Copenhagen, Denmark Retained IBC heavyweight title
Win 56–1 Thomas Williams KO 3 (8) 2000-03-31   Esbjerg Stadionhal, Esbjerg, Denmark
Win 55–1 Jeff Pegues KO 3 (8) 2000-02-18   Aalborg Hallen, Aalborg, Denmark
Win 54–1 Troy Weida KO 8 (12) 2000-01-14   Kolding Hallen, Kolding, Denmark Won vacant IBC heavyweight title
Win 53–1 Frank Wood KO 2 (8) 1999-11-26   Viborg, Denmark
Win 52–1 Don Normand KO 1 (8) 1999-10-29   K.B. Hallen, Copenhagen, Denmark
Win 51–1 Dale Crowe UD 8 1999-10-01   Randers Hallen, Randers, Denmark
Win 50–1 Shane Sutcliffe KO 5 (8) 1999-09-03   K.B. Hallen, Copenhagen, Denmark
Loss 49–1 Dicky Ryan TKO 10 (10) 1999-06-18   Idrættens Hus, Vejle, Denmark
Win 49–0 Tim Witherspoon TKO 4 (10) 1999-04-16   K.B. Hallen, Copenhagen, Denmark
Win 48–0 Paul Phillips KO 2 (8) 1999-03-19   Falconer Centret, Frederiksberg, Denmark
Win 47–0 Peter McNeeley KO 3 (8) 1999-02-12   Falconer Centret, Frederiksberg, Denmark
Win 46–0 Dan Murphy TKO 2 (8) 1998-11-27   Vejlby-Risskov Hallen, Aarhus, Denmark
Win 45–0 Lionel Butler KO 1 (12) 1998-11-06   K.B. Hallen, Copenhagen, Denmark Retained IBO heavyweight title
Win 44–0 Garing Lane KO 2 (8) 1998-09-18   Aalborg Hallen, Aalborg, Denmark
Win 43–0 Terry Ray TKO 5 (8) 1998-09-04   Sundbyøster Hallen, Copenhagen, Denmark
Win 42–0 George Linberger TKO 2 (8) 1998-09-04   Kolding Hallen, Kolding, Denmark
Win 41–0 Joey Guy UD 8 1998-02-27   Storebælthallen, Korsør, Denmark
Win 40–0 Donnell Wingfield KO 1 (8) 1997-12-05   Aalborg Hallen, Aalborg, Denmark
Win 39–0 Don Steele KO 2 (12) 1997-11-14   K.B. Hallen, Copenhagen, Denmark Retained IBO heavyweight title
Win 38–0 Crawford Grimsley TKO 6 (8) 1997-10-03   Østre Gasværk, Copenhagen, Denmark
Win 37–0 Bruce Douglas KO 1 (8) 1997-09-12   Kolding Hallen, Kolding, Denmark
Win 36–0 Marcos Gonzales TKO 4 (8) 1997-07-12   Caesars Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada, U.S.
Win 35–0 James Pritchard KO 3 (8) 1997-06-13   Antvorskovhallen, Slagelse, Denmark
Win 34–0 Damon Reed UD 8 1997-05-02   Randers Hallen, Randers, Denmark
Win 33–0 Pedro Daniel Franco UD 8 1997-03-14   Odense Idrætshal, Odense, Denmark
Win 32–0 Larry Holmes SD 12 1997-01-24   Brøndby Hallen, Brøndby, Denmark Retained IBO heavyweight title
Win 31–0 Marcus Rhode TKO 2 (8) 1996-11-30   Nova Arena, Wiener Neustadt, Austria
Win 30–0 Andrew Maynard TKO 6 (8) 1996-10-18   Idrættens Hus, Vejle, Denmark
Win 29–0 Jerry Halstead KO 2 (8) 1996-09-13   Teater & Kongrescenter, Ringsted, Denmark
Win 28–0 Mike Hunter TKO 5 (12) 1996-05-31   K.B. Hallen, Copenhagen, Denmark Retained IBO heavyweight title
Win 27–0 Salvador Maciel TKO 3 (8) 1996-04-26   Aalborg Hallen, Aalborg, Denmark
Win 26–0 Phil Jackson TKO 6 (12) 1996-03-29   K.B. Hallen, Copenhagen, Denmark Retained IBO heavyweight title
Win 25–0 Jeff Lally TKO 2 (8) 1996-02-16   Lillebæltshallen, Middelfart, Denmark
Win 24–0 Tony LaRosa TKO 2 (12) 1996-01-12   Falconer Centret, Frederiksberg, Denmark Won vacant IBO heavyweight title
Win 23–0 Carlos De Leon TKO 3 (8) 1995-11-24   Randers Hallen, Randers, Denmark
Win 22–0 Tony Tubbs TKO 4 (10) 1995-10-20   Cirkusbygningen, Copenhagen, Denmark
Win 21–0 Terry Davis UD 8 1995-09-08   Aalborg Hallen, Aalborg, Denmark
Win 20–0 Jim Huffman DQ 6 (8) 1995-06-09   Kolding Hallen, Kolding, Denmark
Win 19–0 Jason Waller TKO 2 (8) 1995-02-18   Randers Hallen, Randers, Denmark
Win 18–0 Tim Noble UD 8 1995-03-17   K.B. Hallen, Copenhagen, Denmark
Win 17–0 Doug Davis TKO 6 (8) 1995-03-11   MGM Grand Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
Win 16–0 Matt Green KO 1 (8) 1995-02-18   Bath & West Country Showground, Somerset, England
Win 15–0 Jeff Lampkin UD 8 1995-01-13   Aalborg Hallen, Aalborg, Denmark
Win 14–0 Terry Anderson KO 5 (8) 1994-11-11   Randers Hallen, Randers, Denmark
Win 13–0 James Smith TKO 5 (8) 1994-10-07   K.B. Hallen, Copenhagen, Denmark
Win 12–0 George Stephens KO 1 (8) 1994-06-12   Kolding Hallen, Kolding, Denmark
Win 11–0 Ken Merritt KO 8 (8) 1994-04-22   Aalborg Hallen, Aalborg, Denmark
Win 10–0 Ron Gullette KO 3 (8) 1994-03-25   Aakirkeby Hallerne, Aakirkeby, Denmark
Win 9–0 Ross Puritty UD 4 1994-03-05   Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Win 8–0 Mike Acey KO 2 (8) 1994-02-18   Randers Hallen, Randers, Denmark
Win 7–0 Mike Dixon UD 8 1993-12-05   Randers Hallen, Randers, Denmark
Win 6–0 Jean Chanet UD 6 1993-10-29   Storebælthallen, Korsør, Denmark
Win 5–0 Roger McKenzie UD 6 1993-09-17   Cirkusbygningen, Copenhagen, Denmark
Win 4–0 Jean Weiss UD 6 1993-06-11   Randers Hallen, Randers, Denmark
Win 3–0 Carl Gaffney UD 6 1993-02-12   Randers Hallen, Randers, Denmark
Win 2–0 Steve Gee UD 6 1992-11-27   Randers Hallen, Randers, Denmark
Win 1–0 Terry Armstrong UD 6 1992-09-04   Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, Denmark

References

edit
  1. ^ Dielhenn, James. "Brian Nielsen interview on Mike Tyson, headbutts and cuts and why Evander Holyfield was better". Skysports. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
  2. ^ Coleman, Joe (7 August 2021). "Ex-heavyweight contender claims Mike Tyson only beat him after headbutting him and Evander Holyfield was better". talkSPORT.
  3. ^ "Super-Brian på vej til comeback". Jyllands-Posten. 2010-02-09.
  4. ^ "Holyfield: Det lyder som en "great fight"". Jyllands-Posten. 2010-02-09.
  5. ^ "Palle: Comeback helt ude i hampen". Jyllands-Posten. 2010-02-09.
  6. ^ "Tyson angered by alleged remark by Nielsen". ESPN. 2001-10-12. Retrieved 2009-03-24.
  7. ^ James Lawton (2001-10-13). "Boxing: Trapped Tyson must satisfy the paymasters". The Independent. Archived from the original (Reprint) on 2007-07-15. Retrieved 2007-07-12.
  8. ^ "FIGHTER, BOXING PROMOTER CONVICTED OF SPORTS BRIBERY". U.S. Department of Justice. 2004-11-04. Archived from the original on 2007-07-15. Retrieved 2007-07-12.
  9. ^ "BOXING PROMOTER SENTENCED FOR FIXING FIGHTS". U.S. Department of Justice. 2004-11-04. Archived from the original on 2007-07-15. Retrieved 2007-07-12.
edit
Sporting positions
Preceded by
Jimmy Thunder
IBO heavyweight champion
12 January 1996 – 18 June 1999
Stripped
Succeeded by
Vacant
Title last held by
Michael Grant
IBC heavyweight champion
14 January 2000 – 13 October 2001
Stripped
Succeeded by