crownvic
October 3rd, 2001, 02:45 PM
Well is Mike gonna do a first round KO again,I'm sure they could get a better opponent...
Here is the bio for Nielson..
International Boxing Council (IBC) Heavyweight Champion
BORN: April 1, 1965, Korsoer, Denmark
HEIGHT: 6' 2"
FIGHTS: 63 WINS: 62 LOSSES: 1 DRAWS: 0 KOs: 43
"Super" Brian Nielsen has one of the most prolific records in boxing history. When he improved to 49-0 by knocking out former world champion Tim Witherspoon on April 16, 1999, Nielsen equaled the legendary accomplishment of Rocky Marciano.
With a chance to make history, however, Nielsen fell flat on his wallet. Comfortably ahead and seemingly well on his way to a 50th consecutive triumph on June 18, 1999, ---- Ryan flattened him in the 10th round. The come-from-ahead loss turned Nielsen's career upside down.
It also left Nielsen in a coma.
Going into the Ryan bout, Nielsen knew he was a victory away from establishing himself as a viable heavyweight contender. For seven rounds, he acted the part. Nielsen consistently outboxed and outhustled Ryan, who appeared to be exhausted by the conclusion of the seventh. Nielsen, however, suddenly started to stagger around the ring in the eighth. He had not been hit with any hard punches. The 2,000 spectators in attendance thought Nielsen was joking. He obviously was not.
Referee Jess Anderson did not immediately stop the fight, most likely due to the fact that Nielsen had a significant points advantage. His 50th win appeared to be a mere formality. By the 10th round, however, Nielsen could hardly stand and the referee had no alternative but to stop it. Seconds later, Nielsen collapsed on the canvas. Later, he was transported by ambulance to the hospital in a coma. Nielsen remained unconscious for 16 hours and stayed in bed for two days.
Doctors said that dehydration and lack of fluid caused the exhaustion. Nielsen later said he lost 22 pounds before and during the fight. It may not have helped that his trainer, Pepe Correa, refused to let him drink water between rounds.
Nielsen insists. "That will never happen to me again. I am still going for the world title.''
Nielsen went 104-7 in the amateurs while winning numerous titles, including the Danish Championship (1988-'92), the Nordic Championship ('90 and '92), the Copenhagen Box Cup ('88, '90 and '92), the Kings Cup ('89), and was the bronze medalist at the European Championships in '91 and at the Olympic Games in '92. He also competed in the '86 Olympics and the world amateur championships in '86 and '91.
The Danish heavyweight turned pro on Sept. 4, 1992, by winning a six-round decision over Terry Armstrong in Copenhagen, Denmark. After fighting his first eight contests in his native Denmark, Nielsen made his United States debut on March 5, 1994, and captured a four-round decision over Ross Puritty in Los Angeles.
After registering one knockout in his initial nine outings, Nielsen returned to Denmark and scored 18 KOs in his next 22 bouts, including early-round victories over former heavyweight champions James "Bonecrusher" Smith and Tony Tubbs.
On Jan. 12, 1996, in Copenhagen, Nielsen scored a second-round TKO over Tony La Rosa to capture the International Boxing Organization (IBO) heavyweight title. He retained the crown for the first time by scoring a seventh-round TKO over Phil Jackson on March 29, 1996. The following May 31, Nielsen successfully defended his title for the second time with a fifth-round TKO over Michael Hunter.
Nielsen made his third IBO title defense when he took on former world heavyweight champion Larry Holmes on Jan. 24, 1997, in Copenhagen. In a fight the Danish press described as having "grabbed the public's imagination," Nielsen won a hard-fought, 12-round split decision by scores of 116-112, 115-113 and 115-116.
Holmes got off to a good start, using his world-famous jab to set the pace and build up points. He bloodied Nielsen's nose in the second. Nielsen, however, was younger, faster and continued to press the action. Holmes was in good shape and remained strong down the stretch but Nielsen, despite having a 10-fight knockout streak end, did enough to win.
Nielsen's popularity in Denmark rose to a fever pitch following the win over Holmes as word circulated that Nielsen had the inside track to be Mike Tyson's first opponent in his 1999 return to boxing. Nielsen even wrote a book entitled Super-Brian that chronicled his success and proved he had garnered enough star status to merit a shot at Tyson.
Rumors circulated that Nielsen's convincing IBO title defenses in Copenhagen over Don Steele on Nov. 14, 1997, and Lionel Butler on Nov. 6, 1998, made him the front-runner. One opponent, George Linberger, even refused to come out of his corner for the second round after taking a vicious beating from Nielsen in the first.
Nielsen's opportunity to face Tyson did not materialize, however, as Tyson instead chose South African Francois Botha as his next opponent on Jan. 16, 1999, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Five outings after falling apart against Ryan, Nielsen captured the International Boxing Council (IBC) heavyweight crown by scoring an eighth-round knockout over Troy Weida Jan. 14, 2000.
In his first IBC defense, Nielsen scored a fifth-round TKO over Jeremy Williams on April 28, 2000. Unsubstantiated rumors circulated before the bout that Williams had agreed to throw the fight. It all started when a story appeared in the Danish press that a gambling soccer agent had talked to Williams in the hotel prior to the fight.
"I will bet on you," the soccer agent said. "Do not bet on me, I will lose," Williams said, according to the story. The Danish Federation jumped into action and had Williams sign a document stating that he was indeed the Long Beach, Calif. heavyweight and that he had not been approached by anyone about losing on purpose. Williams denied any attempts to fix the fight and guaranteed he would put his best effort forward.
Nielsen got his revenge over Ryan on Dec. 1, 2000, by winning an eight-round decision. Currently 2-0 in 2001, Nielsen successfully defended his IBC title for a second time in his last bout by winning a unanimous 12-round decision over former world champion Orlin Norris on June 16. Nielsen, who did most of the pressing against the defensive-minded Norris, did not come close to a knockdown. He won by scores of 117-113 twice and 115-114.
BEFORE THE BELL - A QUICK GLIMPSE OF BRIAN NIELSEN
STYLE: A big, strong, tank-like guy, who is deceptively fast, is well known in Europe but a virtual unknown in the U.S. A consistently hard-worker is not known for playing much defense, but often is able to slip punches enough to land his own bombs . A plodding type who needs to apply constant pressure and works the body well .Throws hooks followed by overhand rights For a time, it seemed he was near the front of the line to be Hasim Rahman's first title defense.
STRENGTHS: Home-field advantage: all but five of his fights have been in Denmark, including the last 27 . Chin: he never has been knocked down as a professional or as an amateur . Hand speed: he throws decent combinations for a guy his size . Keeps busy: he has averaged nearly seven fights a year since turning pro . Decent reflexes Amateur experience.
WEAKNESSES: Lacks team speed (hand and foot) and quickness . Quality of opposition: despite beating a fair share of "name" boxers, his record reads like a who's who of journeyman fighters He never has been tested by a legitimate top-10 heavyweight in peak condition . Sometimes becomes erratic in the ring . Conditioning: he has been accused of carrying too much weight . Prone to cuts and scars . Defense: he does not move his head and can be nailed . Rounds: he has gone 10 or more rounds just three times.
QUESTION MARKS: How good is he? Is he catching Tyson at the right time? . Can he corner Tyson long enough to mount and sustain a body attack Is a guy who has been matched mostly against b-type fighters ready for the step up in class? . Will the former undisputed heavyweight champion intimidate him? . How will he react once Tyson connects? . Can he avoid Tyson's big shots and take him into the later rounds? . Can he hurt Tyson? . Get his respect? . How long will he be able to go before cuts become a factor?
Here is the bio for Nielson..
International Boxing Council (IBC) Heavyweight Champion
BORN: April 1, 1965, Korsoer, Denmark
HEIGHT: 6' 2"
FIGHTS: 63 WINS: 62 LOSSES: 1 DRAWS: 0 KOs: 43
"Super" Brian Nielsen has one of the most prolific records in boxing history. When he improved to 49-0 by knocking out former world champion Tim Witherspoon on April 16, 1999, Nielsen equaled the legendary accomplishment of Rocky Marciano.
With a chance to make history, however, Nielsen fell flat on his wallet. Comfortably ahead and seemingly well on his way to a 50th consecutive triumph on June 18, 1999, ---- Ryan flattened him in the 10th round. The come-from-ahead loss turned Nielsen's career upside down.
It also left Nielsen in a coma.
Going into the Ryan bout, Nielsen knew he was a victory away from establishing himself as a viable heavyweight contender. For seven rounds, he acted the part. Nielsen consistently outboxed and outhustled Ryan, who appeared to be exhausted by the conclusion of the seventh. Nielsen, however, suddenly started to stagger around the ring in the eighth. He had not been hit with any hard punches. The 2,000 spectators in attendance thought Nielsen was joking. He obviously was not.
Referee Jess Anderson did not immediately stop the fight, most likely due to the fact that Nielsen had a significant points advantage. His 50th win appeared to be a mere formality. By the 10th round, however, Nielsen could hardly stand and the referee had no alternative but to stop it. Seconds later, Nielsen collapsed on the canvas. Later, he was transported by ambulance to the hospital in a coma. Nielsen remained unconscious for 16 hours and stayed in bed for two days.
Doctors said that dehydration and lack of fluid caused the exhaustion. Nielsen later said he lost 22 pounds before and during the fight. It may not have helped that his trainer, Pepe Correa, refused to let him drink water between rounds.
Nielsen insists. "That will never happen to me again. I am still going for the world title.''
Nielsen went 104-7 in the amateurs while winning numerous titles, including the Danish Championship (1988-'92), the Nordic Championship ('90 and '92), the Copenhagen Box Cup ('88, '90 and '92), the Kings Cup ('89), and was the bronze medalist at the European Championships in '91 and at the Olympic Games in '92. He also competed in the '86 Olympics and the world amateur championships in '86 and '91.
The Danish heavyweight turned pro on Sept. 4, 1992, by winning a six-round decision over Terry Armstrong in Copenhagen, Denmark. After fighting his first eight contests in his native Denmark, Nielsen made his United States debut on March 5, 1994, and captured a four-round decision over Ross Puritty in Los Angeles.
After registering one knockout in his initial nine outings, Nielsen returned to Denmark and scored 18 KOs in his next 22 bouts, including early-round victories over former heavyweight champions James "Bonecrusher" Smith and Tony Tubbs.
On Jan. 12, 1996, in Copenhagen, Nielsen scored a second-round TKO over Tony La Rosa to capture the International Boxing Organization (IBO) heavyweight title. He retained the crown for the first time by scoring a seventh-round TKO over Phil Jackson on March 29, 1996. The following May 31, Nielsen successfully defended his title for the second time with a fifth-round TKO over Michael Hunter.
Nielsen made his third IBO title defense when he took on former world heavyweight champion Larry Holmes on Jan. 24, 1997, in Copenhagen. In a fight the Danish press described as having "grabbed the public's imagination," Nielsen won a hard-fought, 12-round split decision by scores of 116-112, 115-113 and 115-116.
Holmes got off to a good start, using his world-famous jab to set the pace and build up points. He bloodied Nielsen's nose in the second. Nielsen, however, was younger, faster and continued to press the action. Holmes was in good shape and remained strong down the stretch but Nielsen, despite having a 10-fight knockout streak end, did enough to win.
Nielsen's popularity in Denmark rose to a fever pitch following the win over Holmes as word circulated that Nielsen had the inside track to be Mike Tyson's first opponent in his 1999 return to boxing. Nielsen even wrote a book entitled Super-Brian that chronicled his success and proved he had garnered enough star status to merit a shot at Tyson.
Rumors circulated that Nielsen's convincing IBO title defenses in Copenhagen over Don Steele on Nov. 14, 1997, and Lionel Butler on Nov. 6, 1998, made him the front-runner. One opponent, George Linberger, even refused to come out of his corner for the second round after taking a vicious beating from Nielsen in the first.
Nielsen's opportunity to face Tyson did not materialize, however, as Tyson instead chose South African Francois Botha as his next opponent on Jan. 16, 1999, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Five outings after falling apart against Ryan, Nielsen captured the International Boxing Council (IBC) heavyweight crown by scoring an eighth-round knockout over Troy Weida Jan. 14, 2000.
In his first IBC defense, Nielsen scored a fifth-round TKO over Jeremy Williams on April 28, 2000. Unsubstantiated rumors circulated before the bout that Williams had agreed to throw the fight. It all started when a story appeared in the Danish press that a gambling soccer agent had talked to Williams in the hotel prior to the fight.
"I will bet on you," the soccer agent said. "Do not bet on me, I will lose," Williams said, according to the story. The Danish Federation jumped into action and had Williams sign a document stating that he was indeed the Long Beach, Calif. heavyweight and that he had not been approached by anyone about losing on purpose. Williams denied any attempts to fix the fight and guaranteed he would put his best effort forward.
Nielsen got his revenge over Ryan on Dec. 1, 2000, by winning an eight-round decision. Currently 2-0 in 2001, Nielsen successfully defended his IBC title for a second time in his last bout by winning a unanimous 12-round decision over former world champion Orlin Norris on June 16. Nielsen, who did most of the pressing against the defensive-minded Norris, did not come close to a knockdown. He won by scores of 117-113 twice and 115-114.
BEFORE THE BELL - A QUICK GLIMPSE OF BRIAN NIELSEN
STYLE: A big, strong, tank-like guy, who is deceptively fast, is well known in Europe but a virtual unknown in the U.S. A consistently hard-worker is not known for playing much defense, but often is able to slip punches enough to land his own bombs . A plodding type who needs to apply constant pressure and works the body well .Throws hooks followed by overhand rights For a time, it seemed he was near the front of the line to be Hasim Rahman's first title defense.
STRENGTHS: Home-field advantage: all but five of his fights have been in Denmark, including the last 27 . Chin: he never has been knocked down as a professional or as an amateur . Hand speed: he throws decent combinations for a guy his size . Keeps busy: he has averaged nearly seven fights a year since turning pro . Decent reflexes Amateur experience.
WEAKNESSES: Lacks team speed (hand and foot) and quickness . Quality of opposition: despite beating a fair share of "name" boxers, his record reads like a who's who of journeyman fighters He never has been tested by a legitimate top-10 heavyweight in peak condition . Sometimes becomes erratic in the ring . Conditioning: he has been accused of carrying too much weight . Prone to cuts and scars . Defense: he does not move his head and can be nailed . Rounds: he has gone 10 or more rounds just three times.
QUESTION MARKS: How good is he? Is he catching Tyson at the right time? . Can he corner Tyson long enough to mount and sustain a body attack Is a guy who has been matched mostly against b-type fighters ready for the step up in class? . Will the former undisputed heavyweight champion intimidate him? . How will he react once Tyson connects? . Can he avoid Tyson's big shots and take him into the later rounds? . Can he hurt Tyson? . Get his respect? . How long will he be able to go before cuts become a factor?