Craig Payne
Born
Craig Payne

(1961-05-22)May 22, 1961
Chillicothe, Ohio, U.S.
DiedApril 7, 2017(2017-04-07) (aged 55)
NationalityAmerican
Statistics
Weight(s)Heavyweight
Height6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights33
Wins11
Wins by KO8
Losses20
Draws2
Medal record
Men's amateur boxing
Representing  United States
World Cup
Silver medal – second place 1983 Rome Super heavyweight
North American Championships
Gold medal – first place 1983 Houston Super heavyweight

Craig Payne (May 22, 1961 – April 7, 2017) was an American professional boxer who competed from 1985 to 2001, challenging for the IBO heavyweight title in 1992. As an amateur, he won the National Golden Gloves super heavyweight title in 1983.

Amateur career

Payne was a standout football player at Chillicothe (Ohio) High School, graduating in 1979.[1][2] He moved to Livonia, Michigan, in July of that year and began boxing in order to lose weight.[2][3] Payne won a gold medal at the 1982 National Sports Festival, followed by the National Golden Gloves title in 1983 after decisioning a young Mike Tyson.[2]

Payne upset three-time Olympic champion Teófilo Stevenson en route to a gold medal at the 1983 North American Championships in Houston, Texas.[4][5] At the Boxing World Cup held in Italy the following month, he took home the silver medal after losing to Francesco Damiani in the final.[6]

Professional career

Payne made his professional debut in 1985, defeating Cleveland Ingram via second-round knockout in Detroit.[7] However, he didn't compete for six years before returning in 1991, well past his prime. Payne's pro career was quite surprising largely because he was completely out of shape often coming in at 300 lbs. His least notable success was a KO of previously undefeated Samson Po'uha.

Professional boxing record

References

  1. ↑ Galipault, Gerry (April 6, 1983). "Payne faces toughest challenge". Chillicothe Gazette. p. 9. Retrieved October 12, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. 1 2 3 Brown, Clifton (April 7, 1983). "Livonia boxer comes home with U.S. Golden Gloves title". Detroit Free Press. p. 125. Retrieved October 12, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ↑ Katz, Michael (October 14, 1983). "Amateur boxer Payne has no fear". Austin American-Statesman. p. 76. Retrieved October 13, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ↑ Gustkey, Earl (September 16, 1983). "Payne Delivers Upset of Upsets". Los Angeles Times. p. 38. Retrieved October 13, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ↑ "Boxing". Miami Herald. September 16, 1983. p. 149. Retrieved October 13, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ↑ "Americans left in wake of Cuban title winners". Times Colonist. October 23, 1983. p. 17. Retrieved October 13, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ↑ Brown, Clifton (March 28, 1985). "First pro outing was a bang-up success". Detroit Free Press. p. 168. Retrieved October 13, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
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