Roman Greenberg

Roman Greenberg
Statistics
Nickname(s) Lion from Zion
Rated at Heavyweight
Height 189 cm (74 in)
Nationality  Israeli
Born (1982-05-18) May 18, 1982
Balti, Moldavian SSR, Soviet Union
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights 28
Wins 27
Wins by KO 18
Losses 1

Roman Greenberg (Hebrew: רומן גרינברג‎; born May 18, 1982) is an Israeli former heavyweight boxer based in the United Kingdom, former International Boxing Organization's (IBO's) Intercontinental heavyweight champion, with a 27–1 record.[1][2] Greenberg has been nicknamed the "Lion from Zion."[3]

Biography

Greenberg was born on May 18, 1982 in Bălţi, Moldova. His family immigrated to Tel Aviv, Israel, soon after his birth. He began boxing at age 11 after a friend took him to a boxing club in Kiryat Bialik. He won a silver medal at the 2000 Junior World Championships in Budapest.[4] At 15, in 1997 he won the silver medal at the European junior boxing championships.[5][6] Greenberg speaks four languages – Hebrew, Russian, German, and English.[7] Greenberg's brother was the Junior Chess Champion of Israel in 2004. He is well known for his vocal support of the State of Israel. Greenberg wears a Star of David on his trunks.[4] He trains in Maidenhead, Berkshire, and has a home near Haifa.[8] His manager and trainer is Jim Evans.[9]

Boxing career

In 1999, Greenberg was the youngest-ever winner of the Israeli national heavyweight title.[10] Greenberg won a silver medal at the Junior World Championships in 2000 in Budapest where he beat Viktar Zuyev 14:8 but lost to Dzhamal Medzhydov (Ukr). He posted a 47–5 amateur record.

"Greenberg has the fastest hands for a heavyweight since Muhammad Ali."[11]

— Angelo Dundee

Greenberg made his pro debut in November 2001, after serving seven months in the Israeli Army.[12] In 2003, he knocked out Lithuanian Mindaugas Kulikauskas in the 5th round.[13] He won his first 27 professional bouts – 18 by K.O. – before he was beaten in 2008.

Greenberg won the IBO Intercontinental Championship by 6th round TKO against Alex Vassilev in March 2006.[14] His 25th victory was a unanimous decision over Michael Simms (formerly 19–6–1; 13 KOs) at Madison Square Garden in March 2007. He won nine out of 10 rounds.[15][16][17]

Greenberg next defeated American veteran Damon "Dangerous" Reed at the South Town Exhibition Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on August 18, 2007. Reed, 43-11-(5), a former WBO title challenger, had won his last three fights and fought some of the leading heavyweight and cruiserweight contenders in the world since turning professional in April 1995.[18]

Greenberg defeated Colin Kenna on points over eight rounds in London in October 2007.[19] The only time Greenberg "was in any trouble was when his stool collapsed under his sixteen and a half stone frame at the end of fifth round."[20]

In December 2007 Greenberg underwent a hand operation to repair an injury to the second and third metacarpals of his right hand.[21]

Greenberg lost his first bout against heavyweight contender Cedric Boswell (28–1; 22 KOs) in August 2008. He lost via TKO in the second round, after taking numerous punches from Boswell, who won for the 28th time in 29 fights, and is looking for a title bout opportunity. In June 2009, he was ranked 53rd in the International Boxing Organization's heavyweight computerized rankings. Of those ahead of him, only two were younger than he is.[22] Greenberg hasn't fought in the ring after his loss to Boswell.

"Through the Star of David, I represent Israel and myself. All through history, the Jews have always had to fight for their freedom and for their lives. When I come out wearing the Star of David, it shows the whole world that the Jews are still here and that they are successful."[5]

— Greenberg

Jewish heritage

Greenberg was one of three top Jewish boxers in January 2009, the others being Dmitry Salita junior welterweight (29–0–1) and Yuri Foreman, the middleweight (30–1–2).[23]

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://jewishboxing.blogspot.co.il/2013/05/roman-greenberg-wont-be-back-in-ring.html
  2. ↑ "Box rec". Box rec. Retrieved April 13, 2010.
  3. ↑ "Lion from Zion". Lubowphotography.com. Retrieved January 3, 2011.
  4. 1 2 "Roman Greenberg - Jewish Boxer". J-Grit.com. Retrieved 28 June 2015.
  5. 1 2
  6. ↑ "Israel's boxing league a champ at promoting coexistence | social-action". Israel21c.org. June 2, 2009. Retrieved April 13, 2010.
  7. ↑ "The Haifa Connection: Roman Greenberg and Yuri Foreman". Secondsout.com. February 20, 2004. Retrieved January 3, 2011.
  8. ↑ https://web.archive.org/20070927011108/http://www.thejc.com/home.aspx?ParentId=m16&SecId=16&AId=54843&ATypeId=1. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved February 19, 2016. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  9. ↑
  10. ↑ https://web.archive.org/20070821024435/http://www.celebritiesworldwide.com:80/Ones2watch.cfm?Year=2004&ContentID=278. Archived from the original on August 21, 2007. Retrieved February 19, 2016. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  11. ↑ "Sport". SomethingIsraeli. Retrieved April 13, 2010.
  12. ↑ "Roman Greenberg – Boxer – Boxing news". Boxnews.com.ua. Retrieved April 13, 2010.
  13. ↑ "Roman Greenberg – Jewish Boxer". J-Grit.com. Retrieved April 13, 2010.
  14. ↑ https://web.archive.org/20070927202559/http://ringsidereport.com/rsr/news.php?readmore=1746. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved February 19, 2016. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  15. ↑ "Search – Global Edition – The New York Times". International Herald Tribune. March 29, 2009. Retrieved April 13, 2010.
  16. ↑ "Ibragimov annihilates Mora at the MSG Theater". Eastsideboxing.com. March 10, 2007. Retrieved April 13, 2010.
  17. ↑ Abrams, Marc (March 11, 2007). "Boxing – Boxing News – Boxing Coverage". 15rounds.com. Retrieved April 13, 2010.
  18. ↑ "SecondsOut Boxing News – UK Boxing News – Greenberg To Face Reed August 18". Secondsout.com. July 24, 2007. Retrieved April 13, 2010.
  19. ↑ http://web.archive.org/web/20110716033842/http://www.secondsout.com/uk/lukl.cfm?ccs=471&cs=23135. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved November 4, 2007. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  20. ↑ "Latest Boxing News". BritishBoxing.net. Retrieved April 13, 2010.
  21. ↑ "Greenberg To Undergo Hand Operation". Eurosport. 16 November 2007. Retrieved 28 June 2015.
  22. ↑ "Heavyweight – Top 100 IBO Rankings – International Boxing Organization". Iboboxing.com. Archived from the original on 4 June 2009. Retrieved June 28, 2015.
  23. ↑ "One of Many Jewish Boxers,". The Washington Post. September 14, 2002. Retrieved April 13, 2010.

External links

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