Mark Breland

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Mark Breland

Breland (left) and Serik Konakbayev (right) in 2010
Personal information
Full name	Mark Anthony Breland
Born	May 11, 1963 (1963-05-11) (age 58) Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Height	6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
hide Medal record Men’s boxing Representing the  United States Olympic Games 1984 Los Angeles Welterweight World Championships 1982 Munich Welterweight

Mark Anthony Breland (born May 11, 1963) is an American retired world champion boxer who won five New York Golden Gloves titles, surpassing Sugar Ray Robinson for the most wins in the history of the Golden Gloves. He is currently in 6 Halls of Fame: The Connecticut Boxing Hall of Hame, The New York State Boxing Hall of Hame, The New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame, The Golden Gloves Hall of Fame, The African American Ethnic Sports Hall of Fame, and The USA Boxing Olympics Alumni Association Hall of Fame. Additionally, Breland received The 2018 Emanuel Steward Trainer of the Year Award. Breland is notably the only amateur boxer to have ever graced the cover of Ring magazine, and the only amateur whose picture hangs in Colorado Springs U.S. Olympic Training Center. The Smithsonian Museum for African American History and Culture in Washington, DC displays an honorary picture of Mark Breland in recognition of his achievements.

Mark Breland won a gold medal at the 1984 Olympics, was awarded the 1982 Boxer of the Year by USAABF,^[1] and rated #1 amateur welterweight in the world by AIBA in 1984.^[2] He later became an actor with a wide range of movie and television credits, having made his debut in The Lords of Discipline, and also appeared in the music video for The Pointer Sisters' 1985 hit single, "Dare Me." At 6' and 3 inches tall, Breland is one of the tallest World Welterweight champions of all time.

Amateur career[]

Breland, who was born in Brooklyn, New York, began fighting when he was 9 years old, taking on challengers in the lobby and hallways of the housing project which happened to be his home. At 13, he entered the gym and embraced boxing as a way of life.^[3] He is a five-time New York Golden Gloves Champion (1980–84), his record in this competition was 21–0 (19 KO's), with 14 knockouts coming in the 1st round.

Breland made an acting appearance in the movie The Lords of Discipline.

Breland was so exceptional, that he has been having trouble getting sparring partners in the Bedford-Stuyvesant Boxing Association Gym. In June 1984, when he was preparing himself for the forthcoming National Olympic Trials, he went to Grossinger, New York, to train with the Kronks, there he sparred with the WBC Super Welterweight Champion Thomas Hearns, who in turn was preparing to fight Roberto Durán. At that time Breland was being trained by Emanuel Steward.^[4] At that time he narrowly escaped bigger troubles, falling under destructive influence of his teammate Ricky Womack, who happened to be an authoritative figure for Breland, eventually was sentenced and jailed.^[5]

Highlights[]

Already in 1981, age 18, professional boxing promoters and managers have offered him huge sums up to $300,000 to sign a professional contract. But Breland has turned down these offers, partly by anticipating the 1984 Olympics, and in part because due to the promoters' neglect: "It's not 'cause I need the money. It's 'cause they need the money. Hey, I can get hurt." Planning his professional career, he planned to leave the ring before he's 30.^[3]

Breland compiled an impressive amateur record of 110–1 (with 73 knockouts,^[6] plus one unaccounted loss by medical disqualification,^[7] due to withdrawal because of toxic poisioning, spent most of the week in a New York hospital.^[1])

Professional career[]

Breland turned professional in 1984. In 1987, Breland won the vacant WBA welterweight title by defeating Harold Volbrecht by seventh round TKO. He lost it in his first defense to Marlon Starling. In 1989, Breland again won the vacant WBA Welterweight Title. He made three successful title defenses before losing it to Aaron Davis in a back-and-forth 9-round contest that was nearly called off twice because of injuries to Davis' eye before Breland was caught and knocked out knocked out in round 9.

In 1997, Breland retired with a professional record of 35–3–1 (25 KOs). His record blemishes were a draw with Marlon Starling and losses to Jorge Vaca, Aaron David and Marlon Starling.

Breland is currently a boxing trainer, having trained Vernon Forrest and former WBC Heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder among other notable boxers.

Professional boxing record[]

No.	Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round, time	Date	Location	Notes
39	Win	35–3–1	Rick Haynes	UD	10	1997-03-21	Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.
38	Win	34–3–1	Bobby Butters	TKO	2 (10), 1:49	1997-01-10	Riverfront Sports Arena, Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.
37	Win	33–3–1	Darryl Lattimore	UD	10	1996-06-07	Madison Square Garden, New York City, U.S.
36	Win	32–3–1	Buck Smith	KO	3 (10), 0:25	1996-05-19	The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.
35	Win	31–3–1	Ricardo Smith	TKO	3 (10), 0:30	1996-01-27	Schwartz Athletic Center, Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
34	Loss	30–3–1	Jorge Vaca	TKO	6 (10), 1:37	1991-09-13	ARCO Arena, Sacramento, California, U.S.
33	Win	30–2–1	Julian Samaha	TKO	1 (10), 0:44	1991-07-12	Caesars Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada, U.S.
32	Win	29–2–1	Henry Anaya Jr.	UD	10	1991-06-10	Meadowlands Exposition Center, Secaucus, New Jersey, U.S.
31	Win	28–2–1	Ariel Conde	KO	1 (10), 0:23	1991-04-09	The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.
30	Loss	27–2–1	Aaron Davis	KO	9 (12), 2:56	1990-07-08	Harrah's Reno, Reno, Nevada, U.S.	Lost WBA welterweight title
29	Win	27–1–1	Lloyd Honeyghan	TKO	3 (12)	1990-03-03	Wembley Arena, Wembley, London, United Kingdom	Retained WBA welterweight title
28	Win	26–1–1	Fujio Ozaki	TKO	4 (12), 0:34	1989-12-10	Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan	Retained WBA welterweight title
27	Win	25–1–1	Mauro Martelli	TKO	2 (12), 1:15	1989-10-13	Patinoire des Vernets, Geneva, Switzerland	Retained WBA welterweight title
26	Win	24–1–1	Rafael Pineda	TKO	5 (12), 1:14	1989-04-22	Trump Castle, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.	Retained WBA welterweight title
25	Win	23–1–1	Seung-Soon Lee	TKO	1 (12), 0:54	1989-02-04	Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.	Won vacant WBA welterweight title
24	Win	22–1–1	Ozzie O'Neal	KO	1 (10), 1:46	1988-10-07	The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.
23	Win	21–1–1	Pablo Baez	KO	1 (10), 1:43	1988-08-11	DiVinci Manor, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
22	Draw	20–1–1	Marlon Starling	PTS	12	1988-04-16	Las Vegas Hilton, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.	For WBA welterweight title
21	Win	20–1	Juan Antonio Villa	TKO	3 (10), 2:03	1988-02-05	Atlantic City Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
20	Win	19–1	Javier Suazo	UD	10	1987-12-05	Atlantic City Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
19	Loss	18–1	Marlon Starling	TKO	11 (15), 1:38	1987-08-22	Township Auditorium, Columbia, South Carolina, U.S.	Lost WBA welterweight title
18	Win	18–0	Juan Bautista Rondon	PTS	10	1987-07-10	Forte Village Resort, Sardinia, Italy
17	Win	17–0	Harold Volbrecht	TKO	7 (15), 2:07	1987-02-06	Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.	Won vacant WBA welterweight title
16	Win	16–0	Orlando Orozco	TKO	2 (10), 1:46	1986-11-13	Felt Forum, New York City, U.S
15	Win	15–0	Ralph Twinning	KO	1 (10), 2:08	1986-10-15	Columbia, South Carolina, U.S.
14	Win	14–0	Reggie Miller	KO	2 (10), 1:41	1986-09-14	Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
13	Win	13–0	John Munduga	TKO	6 (10), 2:18	1986-06-21	The Sands, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
12	Win	12–0	Ricky Avendano	KO	1 (10), 1:06	1986-05-15	Felt Forum, New York City, U.S.
11	Win	11–0	Darryl Anthony	TKO	3 (10), 2:14	1986-04-12	Ice World, Totowa, New Jersey, U.S.
10	Win	10–0	Richard Aguirre	KO	1 (10), 1:33	1986-03-02	Americana Host Farm, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, U.S.
9	Win	9–0	Troy Wortham	UD	10	1986-01-25	Americana Host Farm, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, U.S.
8	Win	8–0	Hedgemon Robertson	UD	8	1985-12-21	Virginia Beach Pavilion, Virginia Beach, Virginia, U.S.
7	Win	7–0	Donald Gwinn	KO	2 (8), 1:32	1985-10-18	Felt Forum, New York City, U.S.
6	Win	6–0	Don Shiver	TKO	1 (8), 2:18	1985-07-20	Norfolk Scope, Norfolk, Virginia, U.S.
5	Win	5–0	Dario DeJesus	KO	2 (6), 2:49	1985-06-19	Ice World, Totowa, New Jersey, U.S.
4	Win	4–0	Vince Dunfee	KO	2 (6), 2:13	1985-05-17	Caesars Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada, U.S.
3	Win	3–0	Steve Little	UD	6	1985-04-06	San Angelo, Texas, U.S.
2	Win	2–0	Marlon Palmer	UD	6	1985-01-05	Harrah's Marina, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
1	Win	1–0	Dwight Williams	UD	6	1984-11-15	Madison Square Garden, New York City, U.S.

References[]

External links[]

• Mark Breland at IMDb
• Boxing record for Mark Breland from BoxRec