Mark Breland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mark Breland |
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Breland (left) and Serik Konakbayev (right) in 2010
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| Statistics | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Real name | Mark Anthony Breland | |||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 2+1/2 in | |||||||||||||||||||
| Reach | 77+1/2 in | |||||||||||||||||||
| Born | May 11, 1963 (age 62) Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
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| Stance | Orthodox | |||||||||||||||||||
| Boxing record | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total fights | 38 as a professional | |||||||||||||||||||
| Wins | 35 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Wins by KO | 25 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Losses | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Draws | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Mark Anthony Breland (born May 11, 1963) is a famous American boxer and trainer. He was an amazing amateur boxer, winning a Gold Medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics. He had an incredible record of 110 wins and only 1 loss as an amateur. Many people think he is one of the best amateur fighters ever.
After his amateur career, Mark Breland became a professional boxer from 1984 to 1997. He won the WBA welterweight title two times. Besides boxing, he also became an actor and appeared in movies and TV shows. He even showed up in a music video for The Pointer Sisters' song "Dare Me".
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Mark Breland's Early Boxing Days
Mark Breland was born in Brooklyn, New York. He started boxing when he was only 7 years old. He would even challenge others in the hallways of his home! When he was 9, he got a special chance to join Muhammad Ali's youth boxing camp. This camp was in Deer Lake, Pennsylvania.
At 13, he officially joined a boxing gym. Boxing quickly became a big part of his life. He won the New York Golden Gloves title five times in a row from 1980 to 1984. His record in these fights was 21 wins and no losses, with 19 knockouts! Fourteen of those knockouts happened in the very first round. This amazing achievement broke a record held by the legendary boxer Sugar Ray Robinson.
Mark Breland was so good as an amateur that he was the only one ever featured on the cover of Ring magazine. His picture also hangs in the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. The Smithsonian Museum in Washington, DC, also has a picture of him and his 1984 Olympic team. This honors their great achievements.
Staying Amateur for the Olympics
When Mark Breland was 18, boxing promoters offered him a lot of money to become a professional. They offered him up to $300,000! But he said no. He really wanted to compete in the 1984 Olympics. He knew the Olympics would give him a lot of attention. He also felt that he didn't need the money right away. He wanted to do things on his own terms. He even planned to stop boxing before he turned 30.
Mark Breland's amateur record was truly impressive: 110 wins and only 1 loss. He had 73 knockouts! His only official loss was to Darryl Anthony. But later, as a professional, Breland actually beat Anthony. He also had one other loss due to a medical issue. He had to withdraw from a fight because he was sick with toxic poisoning. He spent most of that week in a New York hospital.
In 1984, Mark Breland won a gold medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics. He was named "Boxer of the Year" in 1982 by the USAABF. The AIBA also ranked him as the number one amateur welterweight in the world in 1984.
He was so skilled that other boxers sometimes avoided fighting him. They would even delay joining the Golden Gloves competition to avoid facing him. In 1984, he trained with famous boxers like Thomas Hearns to get ready for the Olympics. He was trained by the well-known Emanuel Steward at that time.
Mark Breland's Professional Boxing Career
Mark Breland became a professional boxer in 1984. In 1987, he won the WBA welterweight title. He won by defeating Harold Volbrecht in the seventh round. But he lost the title in his very first defense to Marlon Starling.
In 1989, Mark Breland won the WBA welterweight title again. He beat Seung-Soon Lee with a first-round knockout in Las Vegas. He successfully defended his title four times. One of his most notable wins was against Lloyd Honeyghan. He finally lost the title to Aaron Davis in a tough fight.
Mark Breland retired from professional boxing in 1997. His professional record was 35 wins, 3 losses, and 1 draw. He had 25 knockouts. His losses were to Jorge Vaca, Aaron Davis, and Marlon Starling. He also had his only draw against Marlon Starling.
Becoming a Boxing Trainer
After his boxing career, Mark Breland became a respected boxing trainer. He has worked with many famous boxers. Some of his notable clients include Vernon Forrest and former WBC Heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder. In recent years, he has been an assistant trainer for Jermall Charlo.
Images for kids
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Breland (left) and Serik Konakbayev (right) in 2010
See also
- List of world welterweight boxing champions
