Larry DonaldAmerican professional boxer
Date of Birth: 06.01.1967
Country: USA |
Content:
Early Career and Professional Debut
Larry Donald, an American professional boxer competing in the heavyweight division, made his mark in the sport after a strong amateur career. He emerged as the U.S. National Amateur Champion in 1991, earned a bronze medal at the World Amateur Boxing Championships the same year, and was selected to the U.S. Olympic team for the 1992 Barcelona Games. Donald's professional debut took place in January 1993.
Rise to Prominence
In 1994, Donald achieved significant victories by defeating undefeated prospect Jeremy Williams in March and heavyweight contender Bert Cooper in April. His impressive performance culminated in a high-profile bout against Riddick Bowe in December 1994. Despite Donald's defensive strategy, Bowe landed precise combinations and inflicted a hematoma above Donald's eye, but he managed to survive until the end of the fight.
Continued Success
Donald's career continued to flourish as he emerged victorious in subsequent fights against notable opponents, including Tim Witherspoon in December 1997, Phil Jackson in May 2000, and Obed Sullivan in November 2000. He suffered a setback against Kirk Johnson in July 2001 and was knocked out by Vitali Klitschko in an eliminator bout in November 2002.
Notable Fights
In November 2004, Donald delivered a convincing victory over Evander Holyfield. He followed up with a draw against Ray Austin in March 2005. In October 2005, he faced Nikolay Valuev in an eliminator bout for the WBA Heavyweight Championship. Despite Valuev's initial advantage, Donald fought back with precision and footwork. However, the judges controversially declared Valuev the winner by majority decision.
Later Career
Donald's career took a slight downturn in 2007 when he fought Alexander Povetkin. Though he managed to avoid a knockout, Povetkin dominated the bout and emerged victorious. Donald continued to compete until his retirement in 2008, leaving behind a legacy of hard-fought battles and a reputation as a skilled boxer.