# Virgil Hill

Virgil Eugene Hill (born January 18, 1964) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1984 to 2007, and in 2015. He is a two-weight world champion, having held the WBA light heavyweight title twice, from 1987 to 1997; the IBF and lineal light heavyweight titles from 1996 to 1997; and the WBA cruiserweight title twice, from 2000 to 2002 and 2006 to 2007. As an amateur, Hill won a silver medal in the middleweight division at the 1984 Summer Olympics. In 2013, he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

## Amateur career

At the 1984 Summer Olympics Hill represented the United States as a Middleweight then age 20, and won a silver medal in a close decision loss in the 165-lb final. His results were:
* Defeated Edward Neblett RSC 2
* Defeated Brian Schumacher 5–0
* Defeated Damir Škaro 4–1
* Defeated Mohamed Zaoui 5–0
* Lost to Shin Joon-Sup 2–3
Hill was the 1984 National Golden Gloves champion at Middleweight. Hill ended his amateur career with a record of 288–11.

## Professional career
### Light-heavyweight

In September 1987, after going eighteen straight fights without a loss to start his pro career, Hill aka 'Quicksilver' (his nickname) was a challenger to Leslie Stewart of Trinidad for the latter's World Boxing Association light-heavyweight title in Atlantic City. After an even match in the early going, Hill floored the defending title holder twice in the fourth round – first with a left hook and the second time with an uppercut – to take the title on a Knockout win.
A series of ten successful defenses followed, eight of which took place in Bismarck, North Dakota. Hill received offers to fight in Las Vegas and other cities, but chose the place of his 'roots' and 'hometown fans' to be the place of the majority of his defenses. Opponents in his first run as champion included Bobby Czyz and James Kinchen. Superstar Thomas Hearns would meet – and defeat – Hill in Las Vegas by decision in June 1991 to end Hill's first reign as champion.
In September 1992, it was Hill pitted against 1984 Olympic teammate Frank Tate for the vacant WBA 175-lb. title. It was a 'grudge match' between the two, and Hill won the title on his home turf of Bismarck. Another string of ten defenses would follow, including a rematch with Tate, a close decision over Lou Del Valle who almost upset Hill.

#### Unification matches

In November 1996 at the Olympiahalle, Munich, Hill won over the undefeated IBF champion Henry Maske to unify the WBA/IBF belts and win the vacant Lineal championship. In June 1997, WBO champion Dariusz Michalczewski scored a unanimous decision over Hill to unify the WBA, IBF, WBO and Lineal light-heavyweight titles at Arena Oberhausen, Oberhausen, Germany.
Hill boxed against Roy Jones Jr. the following year, and was stopped in round four with a body shot.

### Cruiserweight

The aging Hill won the WBA cruiserweight title at age 36 by knocking down Fabrice Tiozzo three times in Villeurbanne, France, by TKO in the first. He made his first defense, also in France, against Jean-Marc Mormeck, but would lose both match and title on cuts after nine rounds. In July 2003 he decisioned Donny Lalonde in a North Dakota-Manitoba 'border fight'. He lost a disputed decision to Mormeck in a title rematch in South Africa in May 2004.
On January 27, 2006, Virgil Hill won over previously undefeated Russian cruiserweight Valery Brudov by unanimous decision to win the 'regular' WBA cruiserweight title, as the WBA had now created a WBA "Super" title beside the standard WBA title. Despite being cut on the face in the sixth round, Hill was able to out hustle and out work his much younger opponent to capture his fifth world title at the age of 42.
He had his next to last fight in Germany on March 31, 2007, facing Henry Maske, whom he had beaten in 1996. Maske had announced his retirement prior to that fight and was frustrated to end his career with a split-decision loss, the only loss in his professional career. When he heard about Hill capturing the world title again at the age of 42, he decided to challenge him for a rematch. Hill lost the Maske rematch by decision in a non-title bout, then lost to Firat Arslan by decision to lose his WBA cruiserweight title.
He retired with a record of 50 wins (23 KOs) and 7 losses.
On July 16, 2011, Hill worked with his wife, Carla Hill, for their first ever boxing card and promotion at Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey,

### Hall of Fame

On November 12, 2012, he was officially inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, Class of 2013.

## Professional boxing record

| 58 fights | 51 wins | 7 losses |
| By knockout | 24 | 2 |
| By decision | 27 | 5 |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
| 58 | Win | 51–7 | Jimmy Campbell | TKO | 2 (8), 2:00 | Feb 28, 2015 | Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S. | |
| 57 | Loss | 50–7 | Firat Arslan | UD | 12 | Nov 24, 2007 | Freiberger Arena, Dresden, Germany | Lost WBA (Regular) cruiserweight title |
| 56 | Loss | 50–6 | Henry Maske | UD | 12 | Mar 31, 2007 | Olympiahalle, Munich, Germany | |
| 55 | Win | 50–5 | Valery Brudov | UD | 12 | Jan 27, 2006 | Tropicana Casino & Resort, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | Won vacant WBA (Regular) cruiserweight title |
| 54 | Loss | 49–5 | Jean-Marc Mormeck | UD | 12 | May 22, 2004 | Carnival City, Brakpan, South Africa | For WBA cruiserweight title |
| 53 | Win | 49–4 | Donny Lalonde | UD | 10 | Jul 5, 2003 | CanWest Global Park, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada | |
| 52 | Win | 48–4 | Joey DeGrandis | UD | 12 | Nov 17, 2002 | Ralph Engelstad Arena, Grand Forks, North Dakota, U.S. | Won vacant IBC cruiserweight title |
| 51 | Win | 47–4 | Carlos Bates | TKO | 1 (12), 1:50 | Aug 23, 2002 | 4 Bears Casino & Lodge, New Town, North Dakota, U.S. | |
| 50 | Loss | 46–4 | Jean-Marc Mormeck | RTD | 8 (12), 3:00 | Feb 23, 2002 | Palais des Sports, Marseille, France | Lost WBA cruiserweight title |
| 49 | Win | 46–3 | Fabrice Tiozzo | TKO | 1 (12), 2:59 | Dec 9, 2000 | Astroballe, Lyon, France | Won WBA cruiserweight title |
| 48 | Win | 45–3 | Glenn Thomas | UD | 10 | May 9, 1999 | Municipal Auditorium, Minot, North Dakota, U.S. | |
| 47 | Win | 44–3 | James Hayes | KO | 2 (12), 2:27 | Nov 7, 1998 | Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S. | Won vacant IBC cruiserweight title |
| 46 | Loss | 43–3 | Roy Jones Jr. | KO | 4 (12), 1:10 | Apr 25, 1998 | Coast Coliseum, Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S. | |
| 45 | Loss | 43–2 | Dariusz Michalczewski | UD | 12 | Jun 13, 1997 | Arena Oberhausen, Oberhausen, Germany | Lost WBA and IBF light heavyweight titles; For WBO light heavyweight title |
| 44 | Win | 43–1 | Henry Maske | SD | 12 | Nov 23, 1996 | Olympiahalle, Munich, Germany | Retained WBA light heavyweight title; Won IBF light heavyweight title |
| 43 | Win | 42–1 | Lou Del Valle | UD | 12 | Apr 20, 1996 | Ralph Engelstad Arena, Grand Forks, North Dakota, U.S. | Retained WBA light heavyweight title |
| 42 | Win | 41–1 | Drake Thadzi | UD | 12 | Sep 2, 1995 | Wembley Stadium, London, England | Retained WBA light heavyweight title |
| 41 | Win | 40–1 | Crawford Ashley | UD | 12 | Apr 1, 1995 | Star of the Desert Arena, Primm, Nevada, U.S. | Retained WBA light heavyweight title |
| 40 | Win | 39–1 | Frank Tate | UD | 12 | Jul 23, 1994 | Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S. | Retained WBA light heavyweight title |
| 39 | Win | 38–1 | Guy Waters | UD | 12 | Dec 17, 1993 | Municipal Auditorium, Minot, North Dakota, U.S. | Retained WBA light heavyweight title |
| 38 | Win | 37–1 | Saúl Montana | TKO | 10 (12), 2:26 | Nov 9, 1993 | Fargodome, Fargo, North Dakota, U.S. | Retained WBA light heavyweight title |
| 37 | Win | 36–1 | Sergio Daniel Merani | UD | 12 | Aug 28, 1993 | Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S. | Retained WBA light heavyweight title |
| 36 | Win | 35–1 | Fabrice Tiozzo | SD | 12 | Apr 3, 1993 | Palais des sports Marcel-Cerdan, Paris, France | Retained WBA light heavyweight title |
| 35 | Win | 34–1 | Adolpho Washington | TD | 11 (12) | Feb 20, 1993 | Fargodome, Fargo, North Dakota, U.S. | Retained WBA light heavyweight title; Unanimous TD after Washington was cut by bumping his head against a TV camera |
| 34 | Win | 33–1 | Frank Tate | UD | 12 | Sep 29, 1992 | Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S. | Won vacant WBA light heavyweight title |
| 33 | Win | 32–1 | Lottie Mwale | KO | 4 (12), 1:44 | Apr 11, 1992 | Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S. | Won WBC International light heavyweight title |
| 32 | Win | 31–1 | Aundrey Nelson | UD | 10 | Mar 1, 1992 | Princes Park, Melbourne, Australia | |
| 31 | Loss | 30–1 | Thomas Hearns | UD | 12 | Jun 3, 1991 | Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Lost WBA light heavyweight title |
| 30 | Win | 30–0 | Mike Peak | UD | 12 | Jan 6, 1991 | Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S. | Retained WBA light heavyweight title |
| 29 | Win | 29–0 | Frank Minton | TKO | 9 (10) | Oct 27, 1990 | Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S. | |
| 28 | Win | 28–0 | Tyrone Frazier | UD | 12 | Jul 7, 1990 | Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S. | Retained WBA light heavyweight title |
| 27 | Win | 27–0 | David Vedder | UD | 12 | Feb 25, 1990 | Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S. | Retained WBA light heavyweight title |
| 26 | Win | 26–0 | James Kinchen | TKO | 1 (12), 2:52 | Oct 24, 1989 | Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S. | Retained WBA light heavyweight title |
| 25 | Win | 25–0 | Joe Lasisi | TKO | 7 (12), 1:56 | May 27, 1989 | Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S. | Retained WBA light heavyweight title |
| 24 | Win | 24–0 | Bobby Czyz | UD | 12 | Mar 4, 1989 | Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S. | Retained WBA light heavyweight title |
| 23 | Win | 23–0 | Willie Featherstone | TKO | 10 (12), 2:05 | Nov 11, 1988 | Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S. | Retained WBA light heavyweight title |
| 22 | Win | 22–0 | Ramzi Hassan | UD | 12 | Jun 6, 1988 | Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S. | Retained WBA light heavyweight title |
| 21 | Win | 21–0 | Jean-Marie Emebe | TKO | 11 (12), 1:29 | Apr 3, 1988 | Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S. | Retained WBA light heavyweight title |
| 20 | Win | 20–0 | Rufino Angulo | UD | 12 | Nov 21, 1987 | Stade Pierre de Coubertin, Paris, France | Retained WBA light heavyweight title |
| 19 | Win | 19–0 | Leslie Stewart | TKO | 4 (12), 3:07 | Sep 5, 1987 | Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | Won WBA light heavyweight title |
| 18 | Win | 18–0 | Junior Edmonds | UD | 10 | Jul 19, 1987 | All Seasons Arena, Minot, North Dakota, U.S. | |
| 17 | Win | 17–0 | Marcos Geraldo | KO | 2 (10) | Jun 13, 1987 | Lake Tahoe, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 16 | Win | 16–0 | Marvin Camel | KO | 1, 2:52 | May 1, 1987 | City Arena, Grand Forks, North Dakota, U.S. | |
| 15 | Win | 15–0 | James Williams | KO | 4 | Mar 6, 1987 | Fargo, North Dakota, U.S. | |
| 14 | Win | 14–0 | Clarence Osby | UD | 12 | Dec 11, 1986 | Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S. | Won vacant WBC Continental Americas light heavyweight title |
| 13 | Win | 13–0 | Eric Winbush | UD | 10 | Oct 17, 1986 | Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S. | |
| 12 | Win | 12–0 | Wayne Caplette | KO | 1 | Oct 4, 1986 | Williston, North Dakota, U.S. | |
| 11 | Win | 11–0 | Marcus Dorsey | KO | 2 | Aug 14, 1986 | Edmonds Community College, Lynnwood, Washington, U.S. | |
| 10 | Win | 10–0 | Willie Mayberry | TKO | 1 | Aug 2, 1986 | Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, U.S. | |
| 9 | Win | 9–0 | Mike Sedillo | UD | 10 | Jul 10, 1986 | The Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S. | |
| 8 | Win | 8–0 | Santiago Valdez | KO | 1, 1:32 | Jun 30, 1986 | Pacific Ramada Hotel, Everett, Washington, U.S. | |
| 7 | Win | 7–0 | Abdul Hakim | TKO | 4 (8), 0:57 | Apr 30, 1986 | Broadway by the Bay Theater, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 6 | Win | 6–0 | James Williamson | TKO | 6, 0:57 | Mar 2, 1986 | Host Resort, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 5 | Win | 5–0 | Fred Jordan | TKO | 4 (6), 1:59 | Jan 22, 1986 | Broadway by the Bay Theater, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | Dawud Shaw | UD | 6 | Jul 13, 1985 | Atlantis Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | David Vedder | UD | 6 | Feb 16, 1985 | Lawlor Events Center, Reno, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | John Tyrell | TKO | 1 (6), 1:12 | Jan 5, 1985 | Broadway by the Bay Theater, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Arthur Wright | TKO | 2, 2:05 | Nov 15, 1984 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | Professional debut |