Obed Sullivan
Encyclopedia
Obed Benjamin Sullivan, born January 17, 1968 in Gulfport, MS, was a heavyweight boxer. Nicknamed "The Fighting Marine", Sullivan was at times a highly-ranked heavyweight who fought many significant fighters of his era.
Sullivan turned pro in 1992 and accumulated a 28-1-1 record with an International Boxing Federation
intercontinental belt and wins over the likes of Garing Lane, Levi Billups, James Gaines, and Marion Wilson
, setting up a bout with fellow rising prospect Hasim Rahman
in 1997 on HBO. Sullivan held his own and lost a majority decision, but built up credibility as a worthy heavyweight.
After the loss to Rahman, Sullivan began 1998 by knocking out 33-1 Keith McKnight, but then would be stopped in the ninth round after a tough battle with towering undefeated contender Michael Grant
. He was then matched against the veteran fringe contender Jesse Ferguson
. Sullivan was outboxed and outpointed easily by the crafty 40 year old.
Things went downhill in 1999, losing a split decision to Derrick Jefferson
, and travelling to Germany for a WBO heavyweight title challenge to Vitali Klitschko
, where Sullivan quit on his stool after nine rounds.
It looked completely over in 2000 when the heavy hitting David Tua
blew away an uninterested looking Sullivan in some 60 seconds, although he redeemed himself somewhat later in the year giving Larry Donald
a stern argument before being decked in the last round and salvaging a draw.
Sullivan has not boxed since 2004.
Hia record was 41-9-2 and one no contest with 30 knockouts.
Sullivan turned pro in 1992 and accumulated a 28-1-1 record with an International Boxing Federation
International Boxing Federation
The International Boxing Federation or IBF is one of four major organizations recognized by IBHOF which sanction world championship boxing bouts, alongside the WBA, WBC and WBO.- History :...
intercontinental belt and wins over the likes of Garing Lane, Levi Billups, James Gaines, and Marion Wilson
Marion Wilson
Marion Wilson, born October 19, 1956 in Florence, SC, is a heavyweight boxer. Marion, despite having faced a who's who list of heavyweight elite, has never been knocked out. He was once stopped, by Derek Isaman in 1991, which was due to a cut...
, setting up a bout with fellow rising prospect Hasim Rahman
Hasim Rahman
Hasim Sharif Rahman is an American professional boxer. Rahman is the former Lineal, WBC, IBO, & IBF heavyweight champion...
in 1997 on HBO. Sullivan held his own and lost a majority decision, but built up credibility as a worthy heavyweight.
After the loss to Rahman, Sullivan began 1998 by knocking out 33-1 Keith McKnight, but then would be stopped in the ninth round after a tough battle with towering undefeated contender 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...
. He was then matched against the veteran fringe contender Jesse Ferguson
Jesse Ferguson
Jesse "Boogieman" Ferguson is a retired American boxer who fought in several noteworthy boxing matches in the 1980s and 1990s...
. Sullivan was outboxed and outpointed easily by the crafty 40 year old.
Things went downhill in 1999, losing a split decision to 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:...
, and travelling to Germany for a WBO heavyweight title challenge to Vitali Klitschko
Vitali Klitschko
Vitaliy Volodymyrovych Klychko is a Ukrainian professional heavyweight boxer and the current WBC heavyweight champion. He is a leader of the political party Ukrainian Democratic Alliance for Reform and a member of the Ukrainian delegation to the Congress of the Council of Europe. He previously...
, where Sullivan quit on his stool after nine rounds.
It looked completely over in 2000 when the heavy hitting 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....
blew away an uninterested looking Sullivan in some 60 seconds, although he redeemed himself somewhat later in the year giving Larry Donald
Larry Donald
Larry Ali Donald is a professional heavyweight boxer, who competed for the United States at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain.-Professional career:...
a stern argument before being decked in the last round and salvaging a draw.
Sullivan has not boxed since 2004.
Hia record was 41-9-2 and one no contest with 30 knockouts.