# Greg Haugen

Gregory Lee Haugen (August 31, 1960 – February 23, 2025) was an American professional boxer from 1982 to 1999. He was a world champion in two weight classes, having held the IBF lightweight title twice between 1986 and 1989 and the WBO light welterweight title in 1991.

## Professional career

Haugen turned professional in 1982 and won his first 17 fights before challenging for a world title. On December 5, 1986, Haugen captured the IBF 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 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 illegally hitting Haugen when Haugen refused to touch gloves at the beginning of the last round. After his fight with Camacho; Haugen tested positive for marijuana and was fined $25,000. 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 ignited publicity for the bout. Within seconds of the opening round, Chavez dropped Haugen with a straight right hand, but rather than dispatching him quickly, pulled back with the intent of punishing him for his pre-fight remarks. After several more rounds of punishment, Chavez dropped him again in the 5th round, and after delivering another barrage of punches, the referee intervened and waved it off. It marked the first stoppage loss of Haugen's career. Afterwards, Haugen remarked: "They must have been very tough taxi drivers." Haugen never again challenged for a major belt. When asked in an interview who was the greatest fighter he ever fought, Haugen replied, "Hands down, Pernell Whitaker." He made excuses for his loss to Chavez which he was still struggling to come to terms with, describing it as his "biggest regret."
He retired in 1999 with a record of 40–10–1 (2 NC).

## Death

Haugen died from cancer in Auburn, Washington, on February 23, 2025, at the age of 64.

## Professional boxing record

| 53 fights | 40 wins | 10 losses |
| By knockout | 19 | 3 |
| By decision | 21 | 7 |
| Draws | 1 | 1 |
| No contests | 2 | 2 |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
| 53 | NC | 40–10–1 (2) | Paul Nave | NC | 12 (12) | 1999-12-17 | Veteran's Memorial Auditorium, San Rafael, California, U.S. | WBF welterweight title at stake; Originally ruled a draw, later ruled a NC after Haugen failed a drug test |
| 52 | Loss | 40–10–1 (1) | Thomas Damgaard | RTD | 6 (8) | 1999-09-03 | K.B. Hallen, Copenhagen, Denmark | |
| 51 | Loss | 40–9–1 (1) | Henry Hughes | PTS | 10 (10) | 1999-06-11 | Turning Stone Resort Casino, Verona, New York, U.S. | |
| 50 | Win | 40–8–1 (1) | Grover Wiley | UD | 10 (10) | 1999-04-24 | Arts Museum, Portland, Oregon, U.S. | |
| 49 | Win | 39–8–1 (1) | Rudy Lovato | UD | 8 (8) | 1999-02-27 | Emerald Queen Casino, Tacoma, Washington, U.S. | |
| 48 | Win | 38–8–1 (1) | Paul Nave | SD | 12 (12) | 1998-11-20 | Veteran's Memorial Auditorium, San Rafael, California, U.S. | Won WBF welterweight title |
| 47 | Loss | 37–8–1 (1) | Paul Nave | UD | 12 (12) | 1998-03-27 | Veteran's Memorial Auditorium, San Rafael, California, U.S. | For vacant WBF welterweight title |
| 46 | Win | 37–7–1 (1) | Mark Fernandez | UD | 10 (10) | 1997-09-19 | Emerald Queen Casino, Tacoma, Washington, U.S. | |
| 45 | Draw | 36–7–1 (1) | Greg Johnson | SD | 10 (10) | 1997-04-25 | Tacoma Dome, Tacoma, Washington, U.S. | |
| 44 | Win | 36–7 (1) | Jesus Mayorga | UD | 10 (10) | 1997-02-15 | Tacoma Dome, Tacoma, Washington, U.S. | |
| 43 | Loss | 35–7 (1) | Oscar Gabriel Gonzalez | MD | 10 (10) | 1995-12-15 | Sundome, Yakima, Washington, U.S. | |
| 42 | Win | 35–6 (1) | Mark Brannon | TKO | 4 (10) | 1995-01-21 | Arizona Charlie's, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 41 | Loss | 34–6 (1) | Tony Lopez | TKO | 10 (10) | Jun 25, 1994 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 40 | Win | 34–5 (1) | Ray Garcia | KO | 6 (10) | 1994-02-24 | Marriott Hotel, Irvine, California, U.S. | |
| 39 | Win | 33–5 (1) | Darren Brennan | TKO | 6 (10) | 1994-01-21 | Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, U.S. | |
| 38 | Loss | 32–5 (1) | Julio César Chávez | TKO | 5 (12) | 1993-02-20 | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico | For WBC light-welterweight title |
| 37 | Win | 32–4 (1) | Armando Campas | UD | 10 (10) | 1992-12-13 | The Mirage, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 36 | Win | 31–4 (1) | Francisco Lopez | KO | 2 (10) | 1992-07-07 | Hollywood Palladium, Hollywood, California, U.S. | |
| 35 | Win | 30–4 (1) | Ray Mancini | TKO | 7 (12) | 1992-04-03 | Reno-Sparks Convention Center, Reno, Nevada, U.S. | Won vacant NABF light-welterweight title |
| 34 | Win | 29–4 (1) | Alfonso Perez | RTD | 8 (10) | 1991-10-29 | Country Club, Reseda, California, U.S. | |
| 33 | Loss | 28–4 (1) | Héctor Camacho | SD | 12 (12) | 1991-05-18 | Reno-Sparks Convention Center, Reno, Nevada, U.S. | Lost WBO light-welterweight title |
| 32 | Win | 28–3 (1) | Héctor Camacho | SD | 12 (12) | 1991-02-23 | Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Won WBO light-welterweight title |
| 31 | Win | 27–3 (1) | Billy Young | UD | 10 (10) | 1990-12-20 | Bally's Las Vegas, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 30 | Win | 26–3 (1) | Tommy Hanks | UD | 10 (10) | 1990-11-29 | Horizon Casino Resort, Stateline, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 29 | Loss | 25–3 (1) | Vinny Paz | UD | 10 (10) | 1990-08-05 | Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 28 | Win | 25–2 (1) | Robert Nunez | RTD | 6 (10) | 1990-06-04 | Bally's Reno, Reno, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 27 | Win | 24–2 (1) | Guillermo Cruz | TKO | 10 (10) | 1990-03-10 | Dunes Hotel and Casino, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 26 | Loss | 23–2 (1) | Pernell Whitaker | UD | 12 (12) | 1989-02-18 | The Coliseum, Hampton, Virginia, U.S. | Lost IBF lightweight title |
| 25 | Win | 23–1 (1) | Gert Bo Jacobsen | TKO | 10 (12) | 1988-10-28 | Brøndbyhallen, Brøndby, Denmark | Retained IBF lightweight title |
| 24 | Win | 22–1 (1) | Miguel Santana | TD | 11 (15) | 1988-04-11 | Tacoma Dome, Tacoma, Washington, U.S. | Retained IBF lightweight title |
| 23 | Win | 21–1 (1) | Vinny Paz | UD | 15 (15) | 1988-02-06 | Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | Won IBF lightweight title |
| 22 | Win | 20–1 (1) | Derrick McGuire | TKO | 6 (10) | 1987-12-16 | Showboat Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 21 | Loss | 19–1 (1) | Vinny Paz | UD | 15 (15) | 1987-06-07 | Civic Center, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. | Lost IBF lightweight title |
| 20 | Win | 19–0 (1) | Jimmy Paul | MD | 15 (15) | 1986-12-05 | Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Won IBF lightweight title |
| 19 | Win | 18–0 (1) | Ernie Landeros | UD | 10 (10) | 1986-08-19 | Sahara Hotel & Casino, Winchester, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 18 | Win | 17–0 (1) | Edwin Curet | UD | 12 (12) | 1986-05-23 | Showboat Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. | Won vacant NABF lightweight title |
| 17 | Win | 16–0 (1) | Ken Willis | UD | 10 (10) | 1986-03-26 | Showboat Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 16 | Win | 15–0 (1) | Juan Carlos Alvarado | TKO | 9 (10) | 1986-02-16 | MGM Grand Reno, Reno, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 15 | Win | 14–0 (1) | Charlie Brown | TKO | 1 (10) | 1986-01-03 | Showboat Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 14 | Win | 13–0 (1) | Chris Calvin | TKO | 6 (10) | 1985-11-06 | Showboat Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 13 | Win | 12–0 (1) | Freddie Roach | TKO | 7 (10) | 1985-08-22 | Showboat Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 12 | Win | 11–0 (1) | Jeff Bumpus | UD | 10 (10) | 1985-07-17 | Resorts Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 11 | NC | 10–0 (1) | Juan del Toro | NC | 1 (8) | 1985-03-07 | Mountaineers Building, Seattle, Washington, U.S. | |
| 10 | Win | 10–0 | Ted Michaliszyn | TKO | 7 (8) | 1985-02-07 | Mountaineers Building, Seattle, Washington, U.S. | |
| 9 | Win | 9–0 | Tony Villa | KO | 2 (6) | 1984-09-27 | Showboat Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 8 | Win | 8–0 | Ted Michaliszyn | UD | 6 (6) | 1984-09-20 | Showboat Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 7 | Win | 7–0 | Roosevelt Booth | UD | 4 (4) | 1983-07-22 | Galt Ocean Mile Hotel, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S. | |
| 6 | Win | 6–0 | Chuck Peralta | UD | 10 (10) | 1983-04-26 | Red Lion Inn, SeaTac, Washington, U.S. | |
| 5 | Win | 5–0 | Larry Yazzie | TKO | 2 (10) | 1983-03-29 | Red Lion Inn, SeaTac, Washington, U.S. | |
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | Max Cervantes | TKO | 4 (10) | 1983-02-23 | Red Lion Inn, SeaTac, Washington, U.S. | |
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Joe Perez | UD | 10 (10) | 1983-01-13 | Paramount Theatre, Seattle, Washington, U.S. | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Noel Arriesgado | KO | 7 (?) | 1982-12-04 | Tudor Club, Anchorage, Alaska, U.S. | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Noel Arriesgado | PTS | 3 (3) | 1982-11-04 | Tudor Club, Anchorage, Alaska, U.S. | |