Darnell Wilson
Encyclopedia
Darnell Wilson is a US-American boxer
. Graduated from Quince Orchard High School
in Gaithersburg, Maryland
.
who won the United States Amateur Light Middleweight Championship three years in a row (1997–99).
. He showed a world-class punch and a good chin but couldn't outbox his opponents.
His best results were draws with George Jones (record 19-2) and James Lubwama (record 18-1).
In 2005 he moved up to cruiserweight.
There he was outpointed by prospects/fringe contenders Vadim Tokarev
(17-0), Felix Cora Jr.
(17-0-2), and veteran Andre Purlette
(record 38-2) and also lost to heavyweight
Owen Beck
.
In late 2006 he at least managed to KO another former light heavyweight in southpaw Daniel Judah
(21-1-3), but at age 32 seemed to be going nowhere. He says of this time: "I was diagnosed. My adrenal glands were being worn down. I would go flat after a few rounds of sparring because of a bad effect from energy drink
s."
His career direction changed dramatically in 2007 when he scored a sensational KO2 over Canadian contender Dale Brown in Edmonton
.
He quickly added another upset KO3 over Kelvin Davis
who had put him on the deck before in the second round.
Wilson is now rated in the Top 10 by the Ring Magazine.
Wilson knocked out hard-punching Emmanuel Nwodo
on June 29, 2007. ESPN
announcer Teddy Atlas
proclaimed it the most devastating knockout ever on ESPN's Friday Night Fights series.
He finally got a shot at the WBA cruiserweight title on May 3, 2008, but lost a unanimous decision to Firat Arslan
.
Wilson lost his first fight of Season 4 of The Contender
to Ehinomen Ehikhamenor
.
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
. Graduated from Quince Orchard High School
Quince Orchard High School
Quince Orchard High School is a secondary school located on Quince Orchard Road in an unincorporated area of Gaithersburg in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States. Quince Orchard's incoming freshmen come from Lakelands Park and Ridgeview Middle School as well as Roberto Clemente Middle School...
in Gaithersburg, Maryland
Gaithersburg, Maryland
Gaithersburg is a city in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States. The city had a population of 59,933 at the 2010 census, making it the fourth largest incorporated city in the state, behind Baltimore, Frederick, and Rockville...
.
Amateur career
Most people confuse Darnell Wilson with the outstanding amateur Darnell WilsonDarnell Wilson (middleweight boxer)
Darnell Wilson is a former American boxer.-Amateur career:Wilson was an amateur standout and was the 1993 National Golden Gloves Light Middleweight Champion. He later went on to become the United States Amateur Light middleweight champion in 1997-1999. Chicago Golden Gloves finalist . U.S...
who won the United States Amateur Light Middleweight Championship three years in a row (1997–99).
Professional career
Known as "Ding-A-Ling Man", Wilson turned pro in 2000 as a light heavyweightLight heavyweight
In boxing, the light heavyweight is a weight division above 168 pounds [12 Stone or 76.204 kilograms] and up to 175 pounds [12.5 stone or 79.38 kilograms]), falling between super middleweight and cruiserweight...
. He showed a world-class punch and a good chin but couldn't outbox his opponents.
His best results were draws with George Jones (record 19-2) and James Lubwama (record 18-1).
In 2005 he moved up to cruiserweight.
There he was outpointed by prospects/fringe contenders Vadim Tokarev
Vadim Tokarev
Vadim Tokarev is an American-based Russian cruiserweight boxer.-Professional career:Tokarev began his professional career in 2000 and won his first 15 fights in a row. He has a record of 26 wins, 1 loss, and 1 draw...
(17-0), Felix Cora Jr.
Felix Cora Jr.
Felix Cora Jr. is an American professional boxer who competes in the cruiserweight division. He is the former holder of the USBA and the NABF cruiserweight titles and is a former contestant on the 4th series of the reality TV show The Contender....
(17-0-2), and veteran Andre Purlette
Andre Purlette
Andre Purlette is a Guyanese boxer and was a highly touted prospect in the heavyweight division.Known as "Tombstone", Purlette turned pro in 1992 and won his first 32 bouts, including a victory over Jimmy Thunder. His career was sidetracked in 2001 when he faced Eliecer Castillo and was KO'd in...
(record 38-2) and also lost to heavyweight
Heavyweight
Heavyweight is a division, or weight class, in boxing. Fighters who weigh over 200 pounds are considered heavyweights by the major professional boxing organizations: the International Boxing Federation, the World Boxing Association, the World Boxing Council, and the World Boxing...
Owen Beck
Owen Beck
Owen LeFranc Beck is a Jamaican professional boxer in the heavyweight division.-Pro:Known as Owen "What the Heck" Beck, Beck began his career in 1998 by winning his first 24 fights, but all against limited opposition the best being amateur star Derrell Dixon and undefeated Taurus Sykes.This streak...
.
In late 2006 he at least managed to KO another former light heavyweight in southpaw Daniel Judah
Daniel Judah
Daniel Harvey Judah is an American southpaw professional cruiserweight and light heavyweight boxer.His 33-fight record through 10/28/08 is 23-7-3, with 10 wins coming via knockout.He is the brother of Jr...
(21-1-3), but at age 32 seemed to be going nowhere. He says of this time: "I was diagnosed. My adrenal glands were being worn down. I would go flat after a few rounds of sparring because of a bad effect from energy drink
Energy drink
Energy drinks are beverages whose producers advertise that they "boost energy." These advertisements usually do not emphasize energy derived from the sugar and caffeine they contain but rather increased energy release due to a variety of stimulants and vitamins....
s."
His career direction changed dramatically in 2007 when he scored a sensational KO2 over Canadian contender Dale Brown in Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
.
He quickly added another upset KO3 over Kelvin Davis
Kelvin Davis (boxer)
Kelvin Davis is an American boxer. He is a former IBF-champion in the Cruiserweight weight class.Known as "Concrete", Davis, a compact pressure fighter, turned pro in 1999...
who had put him on the deck before in the second round.
Wilson is now rated in the Top 10 by the Ring Magazine.
Wilson knocked out hard-punching Emmanuel Nwodo
Emmanuel Nwodo
Emmanuel John Chukuwuemeka Nwodo, known more commonly as Emmanuel Nwodo is a Nigerian professional boxer who fights in the cruiserweight division.-Professional career:...
on June 29, 2007. ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
announcer Teddy Atlas
Teddy Atlas
Theodore A. "Teddy" Atlas, Jr. is a well-known boxing trainer and fight commentator.-Personal life:...
proclaimed it the most devastating knockout ever on ESPN's Friday Night Fights series.
He finally got a shot at the WBA cruiserweight title on May 3, 2008, but lost a unanimous decision to Firat Arslan
Firat Arslan
Firat Arslan is a German professional boxer of Turkish descent best known to win a WBA cruiserweight title at the age of 37....
.
Wilson lost his first fight of Season 4 of The Contender
The Contender (TV series)
The Contender is a reality television series that follows a group of boxers as they compete with one another in an elimination-style competition, while their lives and relationships with each other and their families are depicted. Produced by Mark Burnett, the show is hosted by Sugar Ray Leonard,...
to Ehinomen Ehikhamenor
Ehinomen Ehikhamenor
Ehinomen Ehikhamenor, is a professional boxer from Nigeria who fights in the cruiserweight division.-Professional career:...
.