# Montell Griffin

Montell Julian Griffin (born June 6, 1970) is an American former professional boxer. He held the WBC light heavyweight title in 1997 and challenged twice for a world title.

## Early life

Montell Griffin was born June 6, 1970, in Chicago. By age 22, Griffin was living in Midway City, California and defeated Frank Vassar of Spokane, Washington in the 1992 U.S. Amateur Boxing Championships. He defeated future heavyweight contender Jeremy Williams at the box-offs, to make the 1992 Olympic team.

## Amateur career

Griffin compiled an amateur record of 36-5. He won the 1992 United States Amateur Light Heavyweight title.
At the 1992 Olympic Trials in Worcester, Massachusetts, Griffin was outpointed in the final by Jeremy Williams. However, at the Olympic Box-offs he outpointed Williams twice, to earn an Olympic bid at light-heavyweight. His Olympic results were:
* France Mabiletsa (Botswana) won on points
* Yo-Da Ko (South Korea) won on points
* Torsten May (Germany) lost through controversial scoring of points whereby some of his points were credited to May

## Professional career

Griffin, nicknamed "Ice," began his pro career in 1993. He rose to prominence when he defeated James Toney twice by controversial decisions in 1995 and 1996. The second victory over Toney earned Griffin a lucrative bout against WBC champion Roy Jones Jr.

### Griffin vs. Jones Jr.

After his 1996 win over Toney, Griffin landed a shot at WBC light-heavyweight title holder Roy Jones Jr. Griffin handed Jones his first professional defeat via a disqualification. A frustrated Jones dropped Griffin with a series of hard and fast, head and body punches in round nine, and then hit him again twice on the head after Griffin had taken a knee on the canvas, leading to Jones's disqualification. They had an immediate rematch, and on August 21, Jones regained the WBC title by knocking out Griffin in the first round.

### Rebuilding

After the loss to Jones, Griffin remained a top-ranked light-heavyweight for six years. He won 11 of his next 12 bouts, losing only a controversial split decision to undefeated but unknown southpaw Eric Harding, despite knocking him down and out-landing him according to punchstats.

### Griffin vs. Michalczewski

Four consecutive knockout wins later, the now 38-2 Griffin squared off against 40-0 Lineal/WBO champion, Dariusz Michalczewski in Germany. The 29-year-old Griffin won the first three rounds on the cards but was cut by the 31-year-old Michalczewski's jab in the second round. In the fourth, Griffin was twice staggered, and took 14 unanswered shots to the head and gloves, which forced referee Joe Cortez to stop the bout.

### Griffin vs. Tarver

After defeating Derrick Harmon and George Khalid Jones by unanimous decisions, Griffin earned a shot at the vacant WBC/IBF titles against Antonio Tarver in 2003, losing a wide decision.

### Later career

Now in his mid-thirties, a faded Griffin would go on to lose to Rico Hoye by split decision, Julio César González when the bout was stopped in the early goings on a technicality and sent to the scorecards, and Glen Johnson by TKO 11; all three were IBF eliminators. He also lost on points to Beibut Shumenov
Griffin compiled a very respectable resume over the course of his career: he has two wins over James Toney, a disqualification wins over Roy Jones Jr., and wins over contenders Ka-Dy King, Ray Lathon, Randall Yonker, Derrick Harmon and George Khalid Jones.

## Professional boxing record

| 59 fights | 50 wins | 8 losses |
| By knockout | 30 | 3 |
| By decision | 19 | 5 |
| By disqualification | 1 | 0 |
| Draws | 1 | 1 |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
| 59 | Win | 50–8–1 | DeAndrey Abron | UD | 8 | Aug 19, 2011 | Horseshoe, Hammond, Indiana, U.S. | |
| 58 | Draw | 49–8–1 | Ross Thompson | SD | 10 | May 29, 2010 | Horseshoe, Hammond, Indiana, U.S. | |
| 57 | Loss | 49–8 | Beibut Shumenov | UD | 12 | Aug 2, 2008 | Stadium Khadjimukan, Shymkent, Kazakhstan | For vacant WBC–ABCO and WBO Asia Pacific light heavyweight titles |
| 56 | Win | 49–7 | Cory Cummings | UD | 10 | Jun 20, 2008 | Aragon Ballroom, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 55 | Loss | 48–7 | Glen Johnson | TKO | 11 (12), 2:38 | May 16, 2007 | Hard Rock Live, Hollywood, Florida, U.S. | |
| 54 | Win | 48–6 | Norman Jones | UD | 12 | Mar 31, 2006 | Mohegan Sun Arena, Montville, Connecticut, U.S. | Won vacant USBA light heavyweight title |
| 53 | Loss | 47–6 | Julio César González | TD | 6 (12), 1:11 | May 5, 2005 | Spa Resort Casino, Palm Springs, California, U.S. | Majority TD after González was cut from an accidental head clash |
| 52 | Win | 47–5 | Sam Reese | UD | 10 | Feb 3, 2005 | HP Pavilion, San Jose, California, U.S. | |
| 51 | Loss | 46–5 | Rico Hoye | SD | 12 | Sep 16, 2004 | Kewadin Casino, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, U.S. | Won IBA Continental light heavyweight title |
| 50 | Win | 46–4 | Thomas Reid | UD | 10 | Jun 17, 2004 | Harrah's, Laughlin, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 49 | Win | 45–4 | Willard Lewis | RTD | 4 (10), 3:00 | May 22, 2004 | Warnors Theatre, Fresno, California, U.S. | |
| 48 | Loss | 44–4 | Antonio Tarver | UD | 12 | Apr 26, 2003 | Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, U.S. | For vacant WBC and IBF light heavyweight titles |
| 47 | Win | 44–3 | George Khalid Jones | UD | 12 | Nov 3, 2002 | Table Mountain Rancheria, Friant, California, U.S. | Won vacant WBC Continental Americas and NABF light heavyweight titles |
| 46 | Win | 43–3 | Derrick Harmon | UD | 12 | Jul 21, 2002 | Table Mountain Casino, Friant, California, U.S. | Won WBC Continental Americas light heavyweight title |
| 45 | Win | 42–3 | George Klinesmith | TKO | 1 (10), 1:29 | Feb 17, 2002 | Stardust Resort and Casino, Winchester, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 44 | Win | 41–3 | Jesus Ruiz | TD | 10 (10) | May 12, 2001 | Palace Indian Gaming Center, Lemoore, California, U.S. | Split TD after an accidental head clash |
| 43 | Win | 40–3 | Ed Dalton | TKO | 6 (12), 2:16 | Mar 9, 2001 | Hilton, Reno, Nevada, U.S. | Won vacant WBC Continental Americas light heavyweight title |
| 42 | Win | 39–3 | Jose Luis Rivera | UD | 12 | Apr 22, 2000 | Tianhe Stadium, Guangzhou, China | Won vacant IBC light heavyweight title |
| 41 | Loss | 38–3 | Dariusz Michalczewski | TKO | 4 (12), 2:59 | Aug 28, 1999 | Stadthalle, Bremen, Germany | For WBO light heavyweight title |
| 40 | Win | 38–2 | Tim Cooper | TKO | 3 (10), 2:25 | Jun 23, 1999 | Ramada Inn, Rosemont, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 39 | Win | 37–2 | Danny Thomas | TKO | 5 (10), 1:39 | May 25, 1999 | 50 Yard Line Bar and Grille, Harvey, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 38 | Win | 36–2 | Randall Yonker | KO | 3 (10) | Feb 26, 1999 | Sho-Ka-Wah Casino, Hopland, California, U.S. | |
| 37 | Win | 35–2 | Availeo Slate | TKO | 2 (10), 1:53 | Jan 26, 1999 | 50 Yard Line Bar and Grille, Harvey, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 36 | Loss | 34–2 | Eric Harding | SD | 12 | Nov 13, 1998 | Miccosukee Resort & Gaming, Miami, Florida, U.S. | For vacant NABF light heavyweight title |
| 35 | Win | 34–1 | Eric Davis | TKO | 6 (10), 1:10 | Oct 2, 1998 | Expo Center, Dolton, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 34 | Win | 33–1 | Randall Yonker | TKO | 3 (10), 1:20 | Aug 22, 1998 | Horizon, Rosemont, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 33 | Win | 32–1 | Karl Willis | TKO | 3 (10), 2:59 | Jun 3, 1998 | Coeur d'Alene Casino Resort Hotel, Worley, Idaho, U.S. | |
| 32 | Win | 31–1 | Kenny Lopez | TKO | 9 (10) | Mar 28, 1998 | Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 31 | Win | 30–1 | Thomas Reid | UD | 10 | Feb 27, 1998 | The Orleans, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 30 | Win | 29–1 | Jesus Castaneda | TKO | 8 (10), 2:48 | Dec 26, 1997 | The Orleans, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 29 | Win | 28–1 | Vinson Durham | UD | 10 | Nov 29, 1997 | The Orleans, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 28 | Loss | 27–1 | Roy Jones Jr. | KO | 1 (12), 2:31 | Aug 7, 1997 | Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, U.S. | Lost WBC light heavyweight title |
| 27 | Win | 27–0 | Roy Jones Jr. | DQ | 9 (12), 2:27 | Mar 21, 1997 | Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | Won WBC light heavyweight title; Jones Jr. disqualified for hitting Griffin after a knockdown |
| 26 | Win | 26–0 | James Toney | UD | 12 | Dec 6, 1996 | Lawlor Events Center, Reno, Nevada, U.S. | Won WBU light heavyweight title |
| 25 | Win | 25–0 | Russell Mitchell | TKO | 1 (10), 2:08 | Oct 18, 1996 | Expo Center, Dolton, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 24 | Win | 24–0 | Melvin Wynn | TKO | 2 (10) | Aug 28, 1996 | Coeur d'Alene Casino Resort Hotel, Worley, Idaho, U.S. | |
| 23 | Win | 23–0 | Matthew Charleston | TKO | 11 (12), 2:14 | Jul 11, 1996 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | Won vacant NABF light heavyweight title |
| 22 | Win | 22–0 | Charles Scott | TKO | 4 (10) | May 10, 1996 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 21 | Win | 21–0 | Tony Golden | KO | 2 (10), 1:40 | Mar 29, 1996 | Expo Center, Dolton, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 20 | Win | 20–0 | William Clayton | KO | 1 (10), 1:31 | Jan 26, 1996 | Expo Center, Dolton, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 19 | Win | 19–0 | Ray Webb | TKO | 6 (10) | Nov 29, 1995 | Elephant and Castle Shopping Centre, London, England | |
| 18 | Win | 18–0 | John Mitchell | TKO | 2 (10) | Oct 7, 1995 | Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 17 | Win | 17–0 | Hunter Clay | KO | 6 | Sep 14, 1995 | Battersea Town Hall, London, England | |
| 16 | Win | 16–0 | Tony Booth | TKO | 2 (10) | Jun 4, 1995 | York Hall, London, England | |
| 15 | Win | 15–0 | James Toney | MD | 12 | Feb 18, 1995 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Won vacant IBF Inter-Continental light heavyweight title |
| 14 | Win | 14–0 | Ray Lathon | UD | 12 | Sep 12, 1994 | Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S. | |
| 13 | Win | 13–0 | David Vedder | UD | 10 | May 23, 1994 | Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S. | |
| 12 | Win | 12–0 | Terry Collier | TKO | 6 | Apr 26, 1994 | Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. | |
| 11 | Win | 11–0 | Steve Brewer | TKO | 2 | Jan 18, 1994 | Civic Auditorium, Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. | |
| 10 | Win | 10–0 | Terrence Wright | TKO | 6 (8) | Dec 6, 1993 | Horizon, Rosemont, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 9 | Win | 9–0 | Terry Collier | PTS | 8 | Nov 19, 1993 | Union Hall, Countryside, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 8 | Win | 8–0 | Bobby Mack | PTS | 6 | Sep 24, 1993 | National Basketball Arena, Dublin, Ireland | |
| 7 | Win | 7–0 | Ka-Dy King | UD | 6 | Aug 27, 1993 | Beverly Wilshire Hotel, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
| 6 | Win | 6–0 | Mike Garcia | TKO | 3 (6) | Aug 13, 1993 | Memorial Coliseum, Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S. | |
| 5 | Win | 5–0 | Ron Stringer | TKO | 3 | Jun 25, 1993 | Union Hall, Countryside, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | Donnie Penelton | UD | 6 | Apr 26, 1993 | Rosemont, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Randy McGaugh | KO | 2 | Apr 16, 1993 | Lansing, Michigan, U.S. | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Calvin Puckett | TKO | 2 (6) | Mar 13, 1993 | High School, Aurora, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Jose Luis Ornelas | TKO | 2 | Feb 16, 1993 | McNichols Sports Arena, Denver, Colorado, U.S. | |

## Hall of Fame

With a record of 50-8 during his historic boxing career, Montell “Ice” Griffin was inducted into the Rochester Boxing Hall of Fame Class of ‘22 in October 2022, in Rochester, New York.