David Izonritei
Encyclopedia
David Izonritei (born April 29, 1968 in Lagos
) is a former Nigeria
n boxer
. Also known as David Izon, Izonritei won the Heavyweight silver medal
at the 1992 Summer Olympics
.
of New Zealand, and Kirk Johnson of Canada. He lost to Félix Savón
in the finals.
. In his next fight Izon took on David Tua
, and after 11 rounds of action, Tua knocked out Izon http://www.sho.com/site/boxing/profile.do?fighter=216&event=40&fight=1775. Izon became a popular HBO fighter, and after a victory over Lou Savarese
, Izon took on the young, undefeated prospect Michael Grant
, and was taken out in less than five rounds. Izon hit the comeback trail, and rang out seven consecutive victories against slight opposition, including a TKO victory over prospect Derrick Jefferson
.
He was inactive for most of 2001, as fights with Lennox Lewis (for the heavyweight title), Mike Tyson, and Wladimir Klitschko all fell apart.
By the time he finally returned to the ring he looked a spent force as undefeated Fres Oquendo
took him out in three rounds. After the loss to Oquendo, Izon was KO'd by Joe Mesi
, and then dropped a decision over Al Cole
, proving not only that Izon's days as a legitimate contender were effectively over, but that Izon himself had taken far too much punishment in his career, as is evidenced by his current speech difficulties and slow movements.
, are also professional boxers.
David lives in Pensacola, FL with his wife, Laurence (French) and two children, Melissa and Ian.
Lagos
Lagos is a port and the most populous conurbation in Nigeria. With a population of 7,937,932, it is currently the third most populous city in Africa after Cairo and Kinshasa, and currently estimated to be the second fastest growing city in Africa...
) is a former Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
n boxer
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
. Also known as David Izon, Izonritei won the Heavyweight silver medal
Olympic medalists in boxing
This is the complete list of Olympic medalists in boxing from 1904 to 2008.-Light flyweight:*1968 - : up to 48 kg.-Flyweight:*1904: up to 105 lb *1920-1936: up to 112 lb *1948-1964: up to 51 kg...
at the 1992 Summer Olympics
1992 Summer Olympics
The 1992 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event celebrated in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, in 1992. The International Olympic Committee voted in 1986 to separate the Summer and Winter Games, which had been held in the same...
.
Amateur career
Izon had an amateur record that included a silver medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. On his way to the silver medal Izon beat the highly regarded pair of David TuaDavid Tua
David "Tuamanator" Tua is a New Zealand professional heavyweight boxer, fighting out of South Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.He is a former WBO Asia Pacific and WBO Oriental Heavyweight champion....
of New Zealand, and Kirk Johnson of Canada. He lost to Félix Savón
Félix Savón
Félix Savón Fabre is a Cuban heavyweight boxer, a winner of three gold medals at the Olympic Games. Savón is considered a legend in amateur boxing and has won six world titles....
in the finals.
Professional career
Izon began his pro career with 18 consecutive victories prior to being upset by Maurice HarrisMaurice Harris
Wilbur Maurice Harris , nicknamed "Sugar Moe", is the former United States Boxing Association heavyweight champion.-Pro career:...
. In his next fight Izon took on David Tua
David Tua
David "Tuamanator" Tua is a New Zealand professional heavyweight boxer, fighting out of South Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.He is a former WBO Asia Pacific and WBO Oriental Heavyweight champion....
, and after 11 rounds of action, Tua knocked out Izon http://www.sho.com/site/boxing/profile.do?fighter=216&event=40&fight=1775. Izon became a popular HBO fighter, and after a victory over Lou Savarese
Lou Savarese
Lou Savarese is an Italian-American boxer, and a former professional boxer from Houston, Texas, United States.-Amateur career:...
, Izon took on the young, undefeated prospect Michael Grant
Michael Grant (boxer)
Michael Anthony Grant is a professional heavyweight boxer. He is 6' 7" tall, with an 86' reach. A natural born athlete before boxing he blossomed into a three-sport star at Chicago's Harper High School...
, and was taken out in less than five rounds. Izon hit the comeback trail, and rang out seven consecutive victories against slight opposition, including a TKO victory over prospect Derrick Jefferson
Derrick Jefferson
Derrick Lavon Jefferson is a heavyweight turned boxer.-Amateur:Jefferson became the 1994 National Golden Gloves Super Heavyweight Champion handing Michael Grant his only amateur loss in the semifinals.-Pro:...
.
He was inactive for most of 2001, as fights with Lennox Lewis (for the heavyweight title), Mike Tyson, and Wladimir Klitschko all fell apart.
By the time he finally returned to the ring he looked a spent force as undefeated Fres Oquendo
Fres Oquendo
Fres Oquendo was born April 1, 1973 in Puerto Rico, and is a professional heavyweight boxer.He had a successful amateur background.-Amateur career:He had an amateur record of 105-51990 178 lb. Springfield Golden Gloves Champion1992 178 lb...
took him out in three rounds. After the loss to Oquendo, Izon was KO'd by Joe Mesi
Joe Mesi
"Baby" Joe Mesi is an American boxer and politician from Tonawanda, New York. He is a registered member of the Democratic Party.- Early life :...
, and then dropped a decision over Al Cole
Al Cole
Alfred "Ice" Cole is a heavyweight boxer.Cole was a champion and a major force in the cruiserweight division prior to moving up to the heavyweight division, where he had less success....
, proving not only that Izon's days as a legitimate contender were effectively over, but that Izon himself had taken far too much punishment in his career, as is evidenced by his current speech difficulties and slow movements.
Personal
David's brothers, Roger and Emmanuel IzonriteiEmmanuel Izonritei
Emmanuel Izonritei is a boxer from Nigeria.Boxer at the 2003 Afro-Asian Games India . He was an athlete in the 2004 Summer Olympics for Nigeria, where he lost in the round of 16 to Naser Al Shami of Syria, who eventually won the bronze...
, are also professional boxers.
David lives in Pensacola, FL with his wife, Laurence (French) and two children, Melissa and Ian.