Darnell Lamont Boone (born January 21, 1980) is an American professional boxer. Despite having never challenged for a world title, Boone is notable for facing several future world champions throughout his career, from middleweight to light heavyweight.[1][2] In 2004, he was the first to score a knockdown against undefeated Olympic gold medalist Andre Ward, who went on to win a unanimous decision over Boone.[3] In 2010, Boone caused a major upset when he knocked out future world champion Adonis Stevenson, who later gained revenge by knocking out Boone in 2013.[4] Boone also defeated Willie Monroe Jr. in 2011, who later challenged twice for a world title. Other world champions Boone has faced include Jean Pascal, Erislandy Lara, and Sergey Kovalev (twice).[5]

Darnell Boone
Born
Darnell Lamont Boone

(1980-01-21) January 21, 1980 (age 44)
Other namesDeezol
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 7+12 in (171 cm)
Reach72+12 in (184 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights54
Wins24
Wins by KO13
Losses25
Draws5

Background

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Having gotten a late start into the sport of boxing, Boone had just ten amateur fights before turning professional in 2004. Boone had originally gotten into boxing after attending his younger brother's boxing gym. In his first training session, he sparred with future world champion Kelly Pavlik.[6]

Professional boxing career

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Boone held a record of 6-2-1, with the two losses coming to former IBF middleweight contender Walid Smichet and future IBA contender Walter Wright. Ward, was a heavy favorite despite being just 6-0, and Boone took the fight on just one week's notice. Despite knocking down Ward twice in the fight, he lost a unanimous decision.

After improving to 10-3-1, Boone faced future two-time world title contenders Enrique Ornelas, and Anthony Thompson, losing unanimous decisions in each.

After drawing on points against another future title contender in Lajuan Simon, Boone lost a decision to then-undefeated (12-0) Jean Pascal.

In April 2010, Boone was matched up with future lineal, Ring, and world titleholder Adonis Stevenson, in another fight Boone took on short notice against an undefeated fighter as Stevenson was 13-0 at the time. Boone at the time was 16-15-2, and on a five-fight losing streak (the first three fights being decision losses to Craig McEwan, Erislandy Lara, and Edwin Rodriguez, respectively). In an upset Boone finished Stevenson 17 seconds into the second round. Leading up to the fight, Boone had been self-trained.

Boone took another short-notice fight against future champion and then, 17-0-1 Sergey Kovalev in a light heavyweight bout. Boone fought hard, knocking Kovalev down but later lost a point and ultimately a split decision. Boone was then defeated via first-round TKO against Marco Antonio Periban.

— Anybody who's faced Darnell Boone knows what it is to be hit with a brick.
— Every top fighter who's come up through the ranks and fought Darnell Boone has either lost or nearly lost to him.

Roy Jones Jr. and Max Kellerman on Boone's punching power.[7]

Boone was then matched up with future world title challenger and then-undefeated 10-0 Willie Monroe Jr. In March 2013, Boone fought Stevenson again in a rematch, losing via sixth-round KO.

Boone last fought in November 2018, making his cruiserweight debut, a draw.

Professional boxing record

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53 fights 24 wins 24 losses
By knockout 13 5
By decision 11 19
Draws 5
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
53 Draw 24–24–5 Lamont Capers MD 8 Nov 21, 2018 St. Lucy's Palermo Hall, Youngstown, Ohio, U.S.
52 Win 24–24–4 Jorge Alfredo Leal TKO 1 (6) 1:02 Aug 19, 2017 Rosarito Beach, Mexico
51 Loss 23–24–4 Ramon Luis Nicolas UD 8 Feb 25, 2017 National Sports Center, Blaine, Minnesota, U.S.
50 Loss 23–23–4 Schiller Hyppolite UD 10 Mar 12, 2016 Olympia Theatre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
49 Win 23–22–4 Jimmy Campbell KO 2 (6), 0:37 Dec 12, 2015 Sparta Training Academy, Fishers, Indiana, U.S.
48 Win 22–22–4 Samuel Miller TKO 5 (8), 1:32 Aug 22, 2015 TradeWinds Island Grand Resort, St. Petersburg, Florida, U.S.
47 Loss 21–22–4 Arif Magomedov TKO 1 (8), 2:37 May 22, 2015 The D Casino Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
46 Win 21–21–4 Phillip Jackson Benson TKO 6 (8), 1:27 Apr 18, 2015 Valley Forge Casino Resort, Upper Merion, Pennsylvania, U.S.
45 Win 20–21–4 Dionisio Miranda KO 3 (10), 0:09 Dec 11, 2014 TradeWinds Island Grand Resort, St. Petersburg, Florida, U.S.
44 Draw 19–21–4 Morgan Fitch SD 6 Nov 30, 2013 Mountaineer Casino Racetrack and Resort, Chester, West Virginia, U.S.
43 Loss 19–21–3 Adonis Stevenson KO 6 (10), 2:43 Mar 22, 2013 Bell Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
42 Loss 19–20–3 Derrick Webster SD 6 Jan 19, 2013 Robert Treat Center, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
41 Loss 19–19–3 Sergey Kovalev TKO 2 (8), 1:32 Jun 1, 2012 Sands Event Center, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, U.S.
40 Loss 19–18–3 Dyah Davis UD 6 Oct 21, 2011 Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, U.S.
39 Win 19–17–3 Marcus Don Hall TKO 1 (6), 0:40 Aug 26, 2011 Buckhead Theatre, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
38 Win 18–17–3 Willie Monroe Jr. SD 8 Mar 29, 2011 B.B. King Blues Club & Grill, New York City, New York, U.S.
37 Loss 17–17–3 Marco Antonio Peribán TKO 1 (8), 1:20 Dec 3, 2010 Coliseo Olímpico, Guadalajara, Mexico
36 Loss 17–16–3 Sergey Kovalev SD 8 Oct 9, 2010 Metro Fitness, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
35 Draw 17–15–3 Lennox Allen MD 8 Aug 7, 2010 Aviator Sports and Events Center, New York City, New York, U.S.
34 Win 17–15–2 Adonis Stevenson TKO 2 (8), 0:17 Mar 19, 2010 Wicomico Youth and Civic Center, Salisbury, Maryland, U.S.
33 Loss 16–15–2 Brandon Gonzales UD 8 Jan 15, 2010 Grand Sierra Resort, Reno, Nevada, U.S.
32 Loss 16–14–2 Jose Angel Rodriguez UD 8 Jan 15, 2010 PAL Gym, Yonkers, New York, U.S.
31 Loss 16–13–2 Edwin Rodríguez UD 8 Oct 3, 2009 Twin River Event Center, Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S.
30 Loss 16–12–2 Erislandy Lara UD 6 Jul 17, 2009 Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
29 Loss 16–11–2 Craig McEwan SD 8 Jun 27, 2009 Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
28 Win 16–10–2 Calvin Green TKO 7 (10), 2:18 May 29, 2009 Belle Casino & Hotel, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S.
27 Win 15–10–2 Louis Turner MD 10 Apr 4, 2009 Convention Center, Vicksburg, Mississippi, U.S.
26 Loss 14–10–2 Brian Vera UD 10 Jun 15, 2007 Chevrolet Centre, Youngstown, Ohio, U.S. For IBA Intercontinental super middleweight title
25 Loss 14–9–2 Curtis Stevens UD 10 Mar 22, 2007 Hammerstein Ballroom, New York City, New York, U.S.
24 Win 14–8–2 James Johnson UD 4 Feb 3, 2007 Silver Spurs Arena, Kissimmee, Florida, U.S.
23 Loss 13–8–2 Jesús González UD 8 Dec 15, 2006 Grand Plaza Hotel, Houston, Texas, U.S.
22 Win 13–7–2 Norman Johnson TKO 2 (4) Dec 1, 2006 Club Europe, Doraville, Georgia, U.S.
21 Win 12–7–2 William Johnson UD 4 Nov 2, 2006 Chevrolet Centre, Youngstown, Ohio, U.S.
20 Win 11–7–2 Marcus Brooks UD 4 Oct 6, 2006 Club Europe, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
19 Loss 10–7–2 Fernando Zuniga MD 8 Sep 15, 2006 Omega Products International, Corona, California, U.S.
18 Loss 10–6–2 Jean Pascal UD 10 Jun 23, 2006 Uniprix Stadium, Montreal, Quebec, Canada For vacant TAB super middleweight title
17 Draw 10–5–2 Lajuan Simon PTS 6 Apr 28, 2006 Mohegan Sun Arena, Montville, Connecticut, U.S.
16 Loss 10–5–1 Anthony Thompson UD 10 Mar 31, 2006 Activities Center, Maywood, California, U.S.
15 Loss 10–4–1 Enrique Ornelas UD 8 Mar 3, 2006 Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, U.S.
14 Win 10–3–1 Rasheem Brown UD 10 Feb 18, 2006 Mohegan Sun Arena, Montville, Connecticut, U.S.
13 Win 9–3–1 James Countryman UD 6 Feb 3, 2006 The Orleans, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
12 Win 8–3–1 Willie Lee UD 6 Jan 13, 2006 A La Carte Event Pavilion, Tampa, Florida, U.S.
11 Win 7–3–1 Ronald Johnson MD 6 Dec 16, 2005 Grays Armory, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
10 Loss 6–3–1 Andre Ward UD 6 Nov 19, 2005 Rose Garden, Portland, Oregon, U.S.
9 Win 6–2–1 Chris Archer TKO 4 (6) Nov 11, 2005 Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
8 Loss 5–2–1 Walid Smichet TKO 6 (8), 1:58 Aug 31, 2005 Métropolis, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
7 Win 5–1–1 James North KO 3 (6) Aug 12, 2005 Bull & Bear Tavern, Boardman, Ohio, U.S.
6 Loss 4–1–1 Walter Wright UD 8 May 24, 2005 Northern Quest Resort & Casino, Airway Heights, Washington, U.S.
5 Draw 4–0–1 Walid Smichet PTS 4 Feb 26, 2005 Casino du Lac-Leamy, Gatineau, Quebec, Canada
4 Win 4–0 Alex Black TKO 2 (6), 3:00 Nov 24, 2004 Byzantine Center at the Grove, Youngstown, Ohio, U.S.
3 Win 3–0 Michael Rush TKO 1 (4), 2:56 Sep 29, 2004 115 Bourbon Street, Merrionette Park, Illinois, U.S.
2 Win 2–0 Shawn Williams PTS 4 Jul 2, 2004 Fieldhouse, Struthers, Ohio, U.S.
1 Win 1–0 Jay Holland UD 4 May 21, 2004 Byzantine Center at the Grove, Youngstown, Ohio, U.S.

References

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  1. ^ Pugmire, Lance (April 20, 2016). "Sparring partner says Gennady Golovkin would beat Andre Ward or Sergey Kovalev". Los Angeles Times. tronc. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
  2. ^ Wainwright, Anson (November 15, 2016). "Darnell Boone Breaks Down Sergey Kovalev-Andre Ward". The Ring. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
  3. ^ Whicker, Mark (August 31, 2016). "Whicker: Darnell Boone still has fight left in him. Los Angeles Daily News. Digital First Media. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
  4. ^ Gulas, Greg (March 19, 2013). "Boone gets another shot at 'Superman'" Archived 2016-11-29 at the Wayback Machine. vindy.com. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
  5. ^ Whicker, Mark (August 31, 2016). "Whicker: Gennady Golovkin's sparring partner Darnell Boone more than just a journeyman". Orange County Register. Digital First Media. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
  6. ^ "DARNELL BOONE: THE BEST RESUME IN BOXING? || FIGHTHYPE.COM". www.fighthype.com.
  7. ^ "Classic Fights: Gennady Golovkin vs. Willie Monroe Jr. 2015". HBO Sports. 10 October 2015. Retrieved 2019-11-07.
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