Anthony Dirrell


Anthony Dirrell is an American professional boxer. He was a two-time WBC super middleweight champion, having held the title in 2019 and previously from 2014 to 2015. He is the younger brother of 2004 Olympic bronze medalist Andre Dirrell, who is also a professional boxer.

Professional career

Anthony Dirrell made his pro debut on January 27, 2005 against Henry Dukes. Dirrell stopped him in the first round. Dirrell had his next fight on February 11, 2005 against Dewayne Warren. Dirrell knocked Warren down twice in round one and twice again in round two. Dirrell won by TKO.
Dirrell had his third fight against Larry Brothers in which Dirrell won by TKO in the second round. Dirrell had his fourth fight against Mike Walthier knocking him out in the first round.
Dirrell had his fifth fight against Gabriel Rivera on August 13, 2005. Though Rivera was unbeaten in four fights, Dirrell won by TKO in the second. Dirrell had his sixth fight against Kevin Butts in which Dirrell knocked him out in the first round.
Dirrell had his seventh fight against Chris Grays in which Dirrell won by TKO in the first round. Dirrell had his eighth fight against Juan Carlos Ramos in which Dirrell won by TKO in the first round.
Dirrell had his ninth fight against James Morrow on June 23, 2006 in which Dirrell won by TKO in the first round. Dirrell won this fight in impressive fashion as he first knocked down Morrow with a huge right hand to the head, then followed up with a flurry in which Dirrell hit Morrow with a perfect left hook to the body which blew Morrow's mouthpiece out. Dirrell's tenth fight was against Billy Thompson in which he won by unanimous decision in 6 rounds.
On April 24, 2015 Anthony Dirrell debuted with Premier Boxing Champions vs. Badou Jack at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago, IL.

Dirrell vs. Bika

Following a 23 fight win streak, Dirrell earned the opportunity to become the mandatory challenger for the WBC Super Middleweight title. He recorded his 24th consecutive victory with a win over Renan St-Juste, when his opponent could not continue due to a shoulder injury. After another pair of wins, on December 12, 2013, Dirrell faced champion Sakio Bika at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York for the title. After 12 rounds, the judges ruled the fight a draw.
On August 16, 2014, at the StubHub Center in Carson, California, Dirrell faced Bika in a championship rematch. After another 12 rounds, the judges awarded the fight and the title to Dirrell by unanimous decision.

Dirrell vs. Jack

Dirrell's next fight was on April 24, 2015 against Badou Jack at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago. Challenger Jack handed Dirrell his first full-fledged loss with a majority decision that saw the 31-year-old Swede control the fight through the middle rounds, relying on a strong jab and a confident aggression to outpoint Dirrell and win a majority decision victory.

WBC contention, injury

After Badou Jack vacated the WBC super middleweight title, WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman ordered Dirrel to face Callum Smith for the vacant belt. Following Smith's entry into the World Boxing Super Series, it was announced the fight for the vacant title would be between Dirrell and David Benavidez. On August 5, the WBC announced that Dirrell would be unable to compete due to injury and the bout for the vacant world title would be between Benavidez and Ronald Gavril.

Outside the ring

It was announced by HBO Boxing After Dark announcer Larry Merchant on the June 16, 2007 telecast that Dirrell was currently undergoing chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. He was cleared to box again after completing chemotherapy in 2008.
On January 28, 2008, Dirrell was held overnight in the Flint city lockup on suspicion of armed robbery. However, no charges were ever filed. Dirrell's grandfather claims that Dirrell was on his way to undergo chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma when the robbery took place.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
36Loss33–2–1 David BenavidezTKO9, 1:39Sep 28, 2019 Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, USLost WBC super middleweight title
35Win33–1–1 Avni YıldırımTD10, 1:55Feb 23, 2019 Minneapolis Armory, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.Won vacant WBC super middleweight title
34Win32–1–1 Abraham HanUD10Apr 28, 2018 Don Haskins Center, El Paso, Texas, U.S.
33Win31–1–1 Denis Douglin6, 1:58Nov 17, 2017 Dort Federal Credit Union Event Center, Flint, Michigan, U.S.Unanimous TD after Dirrell was cut from an accidental head clash
32Win30–1–1 Norbert Nemesapati6, 3:00Jan 13, 2017 Park Race Track, Hialeah, Florida, U.S.
31Win29–1–1 Caleb TruaxTKO1, 1:49Apr 29, 2016 Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
30Win28–1–1 Marco Antonio RubioUD10Sep 6, 2015 American Bank Center, Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S.
29Loss27–1–1 Badou Jack12Apr 24, 2015 UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.Lost WBC super middleweight title
28Win27–0–1 Sakio BikaUD12Aug 16, 2014 StubHub Center, Carson, California, U.S.Won WBC super middleweight title
27Draw26–0–1 Sakio Bika12Dec 7, 2013 Barclays Center, New York City, New York, U.S.For WBC super middleweight title
26Win26–0 Anthony HanshawTKO3, 2:36Jul 27, 2013 AT&T Center, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
25Win25–0 Don MoutonUD8May 3, 2013 The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
24Win24–0 Renan St-JusteTKO4, 2:54Dec 2, 2011 Chumash Casino Resort, Santa Ynez, California, U.S.
23Win23–0 Kevin EngelKO2, 1:44Jul 22, 2011 Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, Cabazon, California, U.S.
22Win22–0 Dante CraigKO5, 1:50Jul 2, 2011 Atwood Stadium, Flint, Michigan, U.S.Won vacant UBO InterContinental super middleweight title
21Win21–0 Alberto MercedesTKO3, 2:48May 13, 2011 Chumash Casino Resort, Santa Ynez, California, U.S.
20Win20–0 Daryl SalmonTKO3, 2:34Oct 15, 2010 Buffalo Run Casino, Miami, Oklahoma, U.S.
19Win19–0 Jimmy CampbellKO1, 2:06Sep 17, 2010 Star of the Desert Arena, Primm, Nevada, U.S.
18Win18–0 Alfredo ContrerasTKO7, 2:32Aug 7, 2009 Star of the Desert Arena, Primm, Nevada, U.S.
17Win17–0 Alexander Pacheco QuirozTKO1, 0:51May 1, 2009 Chumash Casino Resort, Santa Ynez, California, U.S.
16Win16–0 Dominique AzeezKO1, 2:59Mar 28, 2009 Buffalo Run Casino, Miami, Oklahoma, U.S.
15Win15–0 Jose MedinaUD4Feb 14, 2009 BankAtlantic Center, Sunrise, Florida, U.S.
14Win14–0 Robert KliewerTKO2, 1:03Dec 5, 2008 Chumash Casino Resort, Santa Ynez, California, U.S.
13Win13–0 Andy MavrosUD4Oct 11, 2008 Pearl Concert Theater, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
12Win12–0 James HopkinsTKO1, 1:12Dec 22, 2006 Perani Arena and Event Center, Flint, Michigan, U.S.
11Win11–0 James NorthTKO4, 1:18Nov 17, 2006 Soboba Casino, San Jacinto, California, U.S.
10Win10–0 Billy Thompson6Sep 2, 2006 Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
9Win9–0 James MorrowTKO1, 1:37Jun 23, 2006 Oracle Arena, Oakland, California, U.S.
8Win8–0 Juan Carlos RamosTKO1, 2:54May 25, 2006 Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, U.S.
7Win7–0 Chris GraysTKO1, 2:59Dec 17, 2005 The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.
6Win6–0 Yameen I MuhammadKO1, 0:22Nov 4, 2005 The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.
5Win5–0 Gabriel RiveraTKO2, 2:53Aug 12, 2005 The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.
4Win4–0 Mike Walthier1, 1:43Apr 29, 2005 The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.
3Win3–0 Larry BrothersTKO2, 1:14Mar 10, 2005 Michael's Eighth Avenue, Glen Burnie, Maryland, U.S.
2Win2–0 Dewayne WarrenTKO2, 1:30Feb 11, 2005 Philips Arena, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
1Win1–0 Henry Dukes1, 1:20Jan 27, 2005 Michael's Eighth Avenue, Glen Burnie, Maryland, U.S.