Greg Haugen
Encyclopedia
Greg Lee Haugen is a retired American boxer. Haugen was champion at both the Lightweight
and Light-welterweight classes.
Haugen turned pro in 1982 and won his first 17 fights before challenging for a world title. On December 5, 1986, Haugen captured the International Boxing Federation
Lightweight Title with a majority decision over reigning champion Jimmy Paul
.
He lost his title in his first defense to Vinny Pazienza by decision. However, he won the title back in a rematch with Pazienza in 1988. He defended the title against Miguel Santana and future WBO
welterweight champion Gert Bo Jacobsen
.
He lost to the IBF
Lightweight title to Pernell Whitaker
in 1989 by decision, it was his biggest paycheck at that time at $426,000.
On February 23, 1991, he captured the WBO Light Welterweight Title with an upset victory over then undefeated Hector Camacho
by split decision, an outcome that resulted from Camacho being deducted a point for refusing to touch gloves with Haugen at the start of the 12th and final round. Later that year Haugen lost a rematch with Camacho, again by split decision. In 1992, he captured the vacant NABF
light welterweight title with a knockout win over Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini
.
On February 20, 1993, he challenged Mexican legend Julio César Chávez
for the WBC Light Welterweight Title at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City
, a fight attended by 132,247 spectators. Haugen's legacy is likely best defined by the Chavez fight, but not for his performance in the ring. Leading up to the bout, Haugen made the comment that many of Chavez’s wins "came against Tijuana
taxi drivers that my mom could whip." This generated a huge uproar in the Mexican community and igniting publicity for the bout. After the loss to Chávez, a dominant TKO loss, Haugen stated: "They must have been very tough taxi drivers". Haugen never again challenged for a major belt.
He retired in 1999 with a record of 40–10–1-2.
Lightweight
Light-weight is a class of athletes in a particular sport, based on their weight.-Professional boxing:The lightweight division is over 130 pounds and up to 135 pounds weight class in the sport of boxing....
and Light-welterweight classes.
Haugen turned pro in 1982 and won his first 17 fights before challenging for a world title. On December 5, 1986, Haugen captured the International Boxing Federation
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 :...
Lightweight Title with a majority decision over reigning champion Jimmy Paul
Jimmy Paul
Jimmy Paul was an American boxer in the lightweight division. On April 6, 1985 he beat Harry Arroyo to become the IBF Lightweight Champion. Paul successfully defended the title four times. On December 6, 1986 Paul lost the title to Greg Haugen. Paul retired in 1999 with a professional record of...
.
He lost his title in his first defense to Vinny Pazienza by decision. However, he won the title back in a rematch with Pazienza in 1988. He defended the title against Miguel Santana and future WBO
World Boxing Organization
The World Boxing Organization is a sanctioning organization currently recognizing professional boxing world champions. The organization is recognized as one of the four major world championship groups by the IBHOF alongside the International Boxing Federation, the World Boxing Council and the...
welterweight champion Gert Bo Jacobsen
Gert Bo Jacobsen
Gert Bo Jacobsen is a former WBO welterweight title holder. He is from Oestrup, Denmark. His first 26 fights he was undefeated from 1983 to 1988. His first lost came in October 1988 to Greg Haugen....
.
He lost to the IBF
IBF
IBF may refer to:*International Boxing Federation is one of several boxing organisations* International Bandy Federation former name of Federation of International Bandy , an international governing body for bandy...
Lightweight title to Pernell Whitaker
Pernell Whitaker
Pernell Whitaker , nicknamed "Sweet Pea", is a professional boxing trainer and retired American professional boxer...
in 1989 by decision, it was his biggest paycheck at that time at $426,000.
On February 23, 1991, he captured the WBO Light Welterweight Title with an upset victory over then undefeated Hector Camacho
Héctor Camacho
Héctor Camacho , nicknamed "Macho Camacho", is a Puerto Rican professional boxer. His son, Héctor Camacho Jr., is also a boxer.- Early life and amateur career :...
by split decision, an outcome that resulted from Camacho being deducted a point for refusing to touch gloves with Haugen at the start of the 12th and final round. Later that year Haugen lost a rematch with Camacho, again by split decision. In 1992, he captured the vacant NABF
North American Boxing Federation
The North American Boxing Federation is a not-for-profit regional sanctioning body that awards regional boxing titles. It is a boxing federation within the World Boxing Council .-History:...
light welterweight title with a knockout win over Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini
Ray Mancini
Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini is a retired Italian-American boxer. He held the World Boxing Association lightweight championship from 1982 to 1984. Mancini inherited his distinctive nickname from his father, veteran boxer Lenny "Boom Boom" Mancini, who laid the foundation for his son's career...
.
On February 20, 1993, he challenged Mexican legend Julio César Chávez
Julio César Chávez
Julio César Chávez is a retired Mexican professional boxer.He is a six-time world champion in three weight divisions, and for several years he was considered the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world...
for the WBC Light Welterweight Title at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City
Mexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
, a fight attended by 132,247 spectators. Haugen's legacy is likely best defined by the Chavez fight, but not for his performance in the ring. Leading up to the bout, Haugen made the comment that many of Chavez’s wins "came against Tijuana
Tijuana
Tijuana is the largest city on the Baja California Peninsula and center of the Tijuana metropolitan area, part of the international San Diego–Tijuana metropolitan area. An industrial and financial center of Mexico, Tijuana exerts a strong influence on economics, education, culture, art, and politics...
taxi drivers that my mom could whip." This generated a huge uproar in the Mexican community and igniting publicity for the bout. After the loss to Chávez, a dominant TKO loss, Haugen stated: "They must have been very tough taxi drivers". Haugen never again challenged for a major belt.
He retired in 1999 with a record of 40–10–1-2.
External links
- http://www.greghaugenfoundation.org
- http://boxrec.com/boxer_display.php?boxer_id=559 Boxing Record
- http://www.thesweetscience.com/boxing-article/4084/fifteen-straight-charade-continues/