Darnell Boone


Darnell Lamont Boone is an American professional boxer. Despite having never challenged for a world title, Boone is notable for facing several future world champions over the course of his career, from middleweight to light heavyweight. In 2004, he was the first to score a knockdown against undefeated Olympic gold medalist Andre Ward, who went on to win a unanimous decision over Boone. In 2010, Boone caused a major upset when he knocked out future world champion Adonis Stevenson, who later gained revenge by knocking out Boone in 2013. Boone also defeated Willie Monroe Jr. in 2011, who later challenged twice for a world title. Other world champions Boone has faced include Jean Pascal, Erislandy Lara, and Sergey Kovalev.

Background

Having gotten a late start into the sport of boxing, Boone had just ten amateur fights before turning professional in 2004. Boone had originally gotten into boxing after attending his younger brother's boxing gym. In his first training session, he sparred with future world champion Kelly Pavlik.

Professional boxing career

Boone held a record of 6-2-1, with the two losses coming to former IBF middleweight contender Walid Smichet and future IBA contender Walter Wright. Ward, was a heavy favorite despite being just 6-0, and Boone took the fight on just one week's notice. Despite knocking down Ward twice in the fight, he lost a unanimous decision.
After improving to 10-3-1, Boone faced future two-time world title contender Enrique Ornelas, and Anthony Thompson, losing unanimous decisions in each.
After drawing on points against another future title contender in Lajuan Simon, Boone lost a decision to then-undefeated Jean Pascal.
In April 2010, Boone was matched up with future lineal, Ring, and world titleholder Adonis Stevenson, in another fight Boone took on short notice against an undefeated fighter as Stevenson was 13-0 at the time. Boone at the time was 16-15-2, and on a five-fight losing streak. In an upset Boone finished Stevenson 17 seconds into the second round. Leading up to the fight, Boone had been self-trained.
Boone took another short-notice fight against future champion and then, 17-0-1 Sergey Kovalev in a light heavyweight bout. Boone fought hard, knocking Kovalev down but later losing a point and ultimately a split decision. Boone was then defeated via first-round TKO against Marco Antonio Periban.
Boone was then matched up with future world title challenger and then-undefeated 10-0 Willie Monroe Jr.. In March 2013, Boone fought Stevenson again in a rematch, losing via sixth-round KO.
Boone last fought in November 2018, making his cruiserweight debut, a draw.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
53Draw24–24–5Lamont CapersMD8Nov 21, 2018St. Lucy's Palermo Hall, Youngstown, Ohio, U.S.
52Win24–24–4Jorge Alfredo LealTKO1 1:02Aug 19, 2017Rosarito Beach, Mexico
51Loss23–24–4Ramon Luis NicolasUD8Feb 25, 2017National Sports Center, Blaine, Minnesota, U.S.
50Loss23–23–4Schiller HyppoliteUD10Mar 12, 2016Olympia Theatre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
49Win23–22–4Jimmy CampbellKO2, 0:37Dec 12, 2015Sparta Training Academy, Fishers, Indiana, U.S.
48Win22–22–4Samuel MillerTKO5, 1:32Aug 22, 2015TradeWinds Island Grand Resort, St. Petersburg, Florida, U.S.
47Loss21–22–4Arif MagomedovTKO1, 2:37May 22, 2015The D Casino Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
46Win21–21–4Phillip Jackson BensonTKO6, 1:27Apr 18, 2015Valley Forge Casino Resort, Upper Merion, Pennsylvania, U.S.
45Win20–21–4Dionisio MirandaKO3, 0:09Dec 11, 2014TradeWinds Island Grand Resort, St. Petersburg, Florida, U.S.
44Draw19–21–4Morgan Fitch6Nov 30, 2013Mountaineer Casino Racetrack and Resort, Chester, West Virginia, U.S.
43Loss19–21–3Adonis StevensonKO6, 2:43Mar 22, 2013Bell Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
42Loss19–20–3Derrick WebsterSD6Jan 19, 2013Robert Treat Center, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
41Loss19–19–3Sergey KovalevTKO2, 1:32Jun 1, 2012Sands Event Center, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, U.S.
40Loss19–18–3Dyah DavisUD6Oct 21, 2011Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, U.S.
39Win19–17–3Marcus Don HallTKO1, 0:40Aug 26, 2011Buckhead Theatre, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
38Win18–17–3Willie Monroe Jr.SD8Mar 29, 2011B.B. King Blues Club & Grill, New York City, New York, U.S.
37Loss17–17–3Marco Antonio PeribánTKO1, 1:20Dec 3, 2010Coliseo Olímpico, Guadalajara, Mexico
36Loss17–16–3Sergey KovalevSD8Oct 9, 2010Metro Fitness, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
35Draw17–15–3Lennox Allen8Aug 7, 2010Aviator Sports and Events Center, New York City, New York, U.S.
34Win17–15–2Adonis StevensonTKO2, 0:17Mar 19, 2010Wicomico Youth and Civic Center, Salisbury, Maryland, U.S.
33Loss16–15–2Brandon GonzalesUD8Jan 15, 2010Grand Sierra Resort, Reno, Nevada, U.S.
32Loss16–14–2Jose Angel RodriguezUD8Jan 15, 2010PAL Gym, Yonkers, New York, U.S.
31Loss16–13–2Edwin RodríguezUD8Oct 3, 2009Twin River Event Center, Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S.
30Loss16–12–2Erislandy LaraUD6Jul 17, 2009Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
29Loss16–11–2Craig McEwan8Jun 27, 2009Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
28Win16–10–2Calvin GreenTKO7, 2:18May 29, 2009Belle Casino & Hotel, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S.
27Win15–10–2Louis TurnerMD10Apr 4, 2009Convention Center, Vicksburg, Mississippi, U.S.
26Loss14–10–2Brian VeraUD10Jun 15, 2007Chevrolet Centre, Youngstown, Ohio, U.S.For IBA Intercontinental super middleweight title
25Loss14–9–2Curtis StevensUD10Mar 22, 2007Hammerstein Ballroom, New York City, New York, U.S.
24Win14–8–2James JohnsonUD4Feb 3, 2007Silver Spurs Arena, Kissimmee, Florida, U.S.
23Loss13–8–2Jesús GonzálezUD8Dec 15, 2006Grand Plaza Hotel, Houston, Texas, U.S.
22Win13–7–2Norman JohnsonTKO2 Dec 1, 2006Club Europe, Doraville, Georgia, U.S.
21Win12–7–2William JohnsonUD4Nov 2, 2006Chevrolet Centre, Youngstown, Ohio, U.S.
20Win11–7–2Marcus BrooksUD4Oct 6, 2006Club Europe, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
19Loss10–7–2Fernando ZunigaMD8Sep 15, 2006Omega Products International, Corona, California, U.S.
18Loss10–6–2Jean PascalUD10Jun 23, 2006Uniprix Stadium, Montreal, Quebec, CanadaFor vacant TAB super middleweight title
17Draw10–5–2Lajuan SimonPTS6Apr 28, 2006Mohegan Sun Arena, Montville, Connecticut, U.S.
16Loss10–5–1Anthony ThompsonUD10Mar 31, 2006Activities Center, Maywood, California, U.S.
15Loss10–4–1Enrique OrnelasUD8Mar 3, 2006Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, U.S.
14Win10–3–1Rasheem BrownUD10Feb 18, 2006Mohegan Sun Arena, Montville, Connecticut, U.S.
13Win9–3–1James CountrymanUD6Feb 3, 2006The Orleans, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
12Win8–3–1Willie LeeUD6Jan 13, 2006A La Carte Event Pavilion, Tampa, Florida, U.S.
11Win7–3–1Ronald Johnson6Dec 16, 2005Grays Armory, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
10Loss6–3–1Andre WardUD6Nov 19, 2005Rose Garden, Portland, Oregon, U.S.
9Win6–2–1Chris ArcherTKO4 Nov 11, 2005Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
8Loss5–2–1Walid SmichetTKO6, 1:58Aug 31, 2005Métropolis, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
7Win5–1–1James NorthKO3 Aug 12, 2005Bull & Bear Tavern, Boardman, Ohio, U.S.
6Loss4–1–1Walter WrightUD8May 24, 2005Northern Quest Resort & Casino, Airway Heights, Washington, U.S.
5Draw4–0–1Walid Smichet4Feb 26, 2005Casino du Lac-Leamy, Gatineau, Quebec, Canada
4Win4–0Alex BlackTKO2, 3:00Nov 24, 2004Byzantine Center at the Grove, Youngstown, Ohio, U.S.
3Win3–0Michael Rush1, 2:56Sep 29, 2004115 Bourbon Street, Merrionette Park, Illinois, U.S.
2Win2–0Shawn Williams4Jul 2, 2004Fieldhouse, Struthers, Ohio, U.S.
1Win1–0Jay Holland4May 21, 2004Byzantine Center at the Grove, Youngstown, Ohio, U.S.