Roman Greenberg
Born (1982-05-18) May 18, 1982
Balti, Moldavian SSR, Soviet Union
Nationality Israeli
Other names"Lion from Zion"
Statistics
Weight(s)Heavyweight
Height189 cm (74 in)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights28
Wins27
Wins by KO18
Losses1

Roman Greenberg (Hebrew: רומן גרינברג; born May 18, 1982) is an Israeli former heavyweight boxer based in the United Kingdom, with Moldovan origins[1] (his parents emigrated from Soviet Union when he was 6 years old), former International Boxing Organization's (IBO's) Intercontinental heavyweight champion, with a 27–1 record.[2][3] Greenberg has been nicknamed the "Lion from Zion."[4]

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.[5] Greenberg speaks four languages – Hebrew, Russian, German, and English.[6] 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.[5] He trains in Maidenhead, Berkshire, and has a home near Haifa.[7] His manager and trainer is Jim Evans.[8]

Boxing career

In 1999, Greenberg became the youngest person to win the Israeli national heavyweight title.[9] 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."[10]

— Angelo Dundee

Greenberg made his pro debut in November 2001, after serving seven months in the Israeli Army.[11] In 2003, he knocked out Lithuanian Mindaugas Kulikauskas in the 5th round.[12] He won his first 27 professional bouts – 18 by K.O. – before he was beaten in 2008.

He won the IBO Intercontinental Championship by 6th round TKO against Alex Vassilev in March 2006.[13] 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.[14][15][16]

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.[17]

Greenberg defeated Colin Kenna on points over eight rounds in London in October 2007.[18] 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."[19]

In December 2007 Greenberg underwent a hand operation to repair an injury to the second and third metacarpals of his right hand.[20]

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.[21] Greenberg has not 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."[22]

— 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. ↑ "(video) Roman Greenberg, "al doilea cel mai rapid boxer după Muhammad Ali". Cine este moldoveanul de origine evreiască care a devenit faimos în toată lumea - #diez" (in Romanian). 31 May 2018. Retrieved 2019-12-27.
  2. ↑ "Roman Greenberg Won't be Back in the Ring".
  3. ↑ "Box rec". Box rec. Retrieved April 13, 2010.
  4. ↑ "Lion from Zion". Lubowphotography.com. Archived from the original on November 20, 2008. Retrieved January 3, 2011.
  5. 1 2 "Roman Greenberg - Jewish Boxer". J-Grit.com. Retrieved 28 June 2015.
  6. ↑ "The Haifa Connection: Roman Greenberg and Yuri Foreman". Secondsout.com. February 20, 2004. Retrieved January 3, 2011.
  7. ↑ "The Jewish Chronicle". Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
  8. ↑ "Boxing - USA Headlines - USA Boxing News". Archived from the original on 2008-05-05. Retrieved 2008-05-31.
  9. ↑ "Roman Greenberg". Archived from the original on August 21, 2007. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
  10. ↑ "Sport". SomethingIsraeli. Archived from the original on August 9, 2007. Retrieved April 13, 2010.
  11. ↑ "Roman Greenberg – Boxer – Boxing news". Boxnews.com.ua. Retrieved April 13, 2010.
  12. ↑ "Roman Greenberg – Jewish Boxer". J-Grit.com. Retrieved April 13, 2010.
  13. ↑ "Ringside Report "The Heart of Boxing"". Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
  14. ↑ "Search – Global Edition – The New York Times". International Herald Tribune. March 29, 2009. Retrieved April 13, 2010.
  15. ↑ "Ibragimov annihilates Mora at the MSG Theater". Eastsideboxing.com. March 10, 2007. Retrieved April 13, 2010.
  16. ↑ Abrams, Marc (March 11, 2007). "Boxing – Boxing News – Boxing Coverage". 15rounds.com. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved April 13, 2010.
  17. ↑ "SecondsOut Boxing News – UK Boxing News – Greenberg To Face Reed August 18". Secondsout.com. July 24, 2007. Retrieved April 13, 2010.
  18. ↑ "Welcome to nginx". Archived from the original on August 15, 2007. Retrieved November 4, 2007.
  19. ↑ "Latest Boxing News". BritishBoxing.net. Archived from the original on July 18, 2011. Retrieved April 13, 2010.
  20. ↑ "Greenberg To Undergo Hand Operation". Eurosport. 16 November 2007. Retrieved 28 June 2015.
  21. ↑ "Heavyweight – Top 100 IBO Rankings – International Boxing Organization". Iboboxing.com. Archived from the original on 4 June 2009. Retrieved June 28, 2015.
  22. ↑ "Roman Greenberg Fights For A Title Bout". The Jerusalem Post. 15 July 2019.
  23. ↑ "One of Many Jewish Boxers". The Washington Post. September 14, 2002. Retrieved April 13, 2010.
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