Darrin Van Horn
Encyclopedia
Darrin Van Horn was a professional boxer
and a world champion in two weight divisions.
Van Horn turned professional in 1984, just five days before his 16th birthday. He was given the nickname "Schoolboy" early in his pro career because he turned professional as a junior in high school.
After 39 consecutive wins, Van Horn defeated Robert Hines
to win the IBF
Junior Middleweight Title on February 5, 1989. Van Horn lost the title in his first defense to the former WBC
Super Welterweight Champion Gianfranco Rosi
by a unanimous decision on July 15, 1989.
Van Horn won his next five fights and then had a rematch with Rosi in an attempt to regain the title. Their rematch took place on July 21, 1990, and although Van Horn put up a better effort, Rosi again won by a unanimous decision.
Van Horn moved up in weight and won the IBF Super Middleweight Title with an 11th-round knockout of Lindell Holmes
on May 18, 1991. In his first title defense, he knocked out John Jarvis in the third round.
On January 10, 1992, Van Horn defended the title against Iran Barkley
, the former four time world champion. Barkley wobbled Van Horn with a left hook early in the first round. In the second round, Barkley knocked him down three times, and the referee stopped the fight.
In May 1992, Van Horn graduated from the University of Kentucky with a bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism.
Van Horn was set to challenge Nigel Benn
for his WBC Super Middleweight title in England however, according to Boxing Monthly
at the time Van Horn failed a brain scan. He retired in 1994 with a record of 54-3 (29 KOs)
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...
and a world champion in two weight divisions.
Van Horn turned professional in 1984, just five days before his 16th birthday. He was given the nickname "Schoolboy" early in his pro career because he turned professional as a junior in high school.
After 39 consecutive wins, Van Horn defeated Robert Hines
Robert Hines
Robert Hines , was a professional boxer in the Light Middleweight division.Known as "Bam Bam", Hines turned pro in 1981 and won the IBF Light Middleweight Title with a decision win over Matthew Hilton in 1988. He lost the belt in his first defense to Darrin Van Horn...
to win the IBF
International Boxing Federation
The International Boxing Federation or IBF is one of four major organizations recognized by IBHOF which sanction world championship boxing bouts, alongside the WBA, WBC and WBO.- History :...
Junior Middleweight Title on February 5, 1989. Van Horn lost the title in his first defense to the former WBC
World Boxing Council
The World Boxing Council was initially established by 11 countries: the United States, Argentina, United Kingdom, France, Mexico, Philippines, Panama, Chile, Peru, Venezuela and Brazil plus Puerto Rico, met in Mexico City on February 14, 1963, upon invitation of the then President of Mexico, Adolfo...
Super Welterweight Champion Gianfranco Rosi
Gianfranco Rosi
Gianfranco Rosi was an Italian boxer at middleweight.- Professional career :Rosi turned pro in 1979 and won the WBC Light Middleweight Title in 1987 by decisioning Lupe Aquino. He lost the belt in 1988 when he was dominated by Donald Curry...
by a unanimous decision on July 15, 1989.
Van Horn won his next five fights and then had a rematch with Rosi in an attempt to regain the title. Their rematch took place on July 21, 1990, and although Van Horn put up a better effort, Rosi again won by a unanimous decision.
Van Horn moved up in weight and won the IBF Super Middleweight Title with an 11th-round knockout of Lindell Holmes
Lindell Holmes
Lindell Holmes is a retired American boxer in the super middleweight division.Holmes turned professional in 1979 and in 1986 challenged IBF Super Middleweight Title holder Chong-Pal Park of South Korea. The bout was ruled a no contest in the 2nd round after an accidental head-clash opened a cut on...
on May 18, 1991. In his first title defense, he knocked out John Jarvis in the third round.
On January 10, 1992, Van Horn defended the title against Iran Barkley
Iran Barkley
Iran Barkley is a retired American professional boxer who held world titles at three different weights—middleweight , super middleweight and light heavyweight .- Professional career :...
, the former four time world champion. Barkley wobbled Van Horn with a left hook early in the first round. In the second round, Barkley knocked him down three times, and the referee stopped the fight.
In May 1992, Van Horn graduated from the University of Kentucky with a bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism.
Van Horn was set to challenge Nigel Benn
Nigel Benn
Nigel Benn , known as "The Dark Destroyer", is a British former boxer who held world titles in the middleweight and super middleweight divisions....
for his WBC Super Middleweight title in England however, according to Boxing Monthly
Boxing Monthly
Boxing Monthly is a British magazine dedicated to boxing. Glyn Leach is the long-term editor, owner and publisher. Other contributors include veteran journalist Graham Houston, ex Ring Magazine editor Steve Farhood, Ron Borges and Steve Bunce....
at the time Van Horn failed a brain scan. He retired in 1994 with a record of 54-3 (29 KOs)
Sources
Darrin Van Horn- Anchorage Daily News February 6, 1989
- Anchorage Daily News July 16, 1989
- Ocala Star-Banner July 22, 1990
- The New York Times January 11, 1992
- Daily News of Los Angeles September 4, 1992