Lou Savarese

Lou Savarese

Savarese in 2007, after losing to Evander Holyfield
Statistics
Real name Lou Savarese
Rated at Heavyweight
Height 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Reach 80 in (203 cm)
Nationality American
Born (1965-07-14) July 14, 1965
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights 53
Wins 46
Wins by KO 38
Losses 7
Draws 0

Lou Savarese (born July 14, 1965) is an American former professional boxer from Greenwood Lake, New York.

Amateur career

Savarese won two New York Golden Gloves Championships. Savarese won the 1985 Super-Heavyweight Novice Championship and the 1986 Super-Heavyweight Open Championship. In 1985 Savarese stopped (RSC-2) Jonathan Hill of Gleason's Gym in the finals to win the Championship and in 1986 Savarese defeated Alex Stewart of the Uptown Gym in the finals to win the Championship. In 1987 Savarese advanced to the finals of the Super Heavyweight Open division. He was to have met future Heavyweight Champion Riddick Bowe but Savarese was injured and could not box. Savarese trained at the Cage Recreation Center in White Plains, New York. Savarese is originally from Greenwood Lake, New York. He now resides in Houston.

Professional career

Further information: Mike Tyson vs. Lou Savarese

Savarese, a Roberts Elementarian, began his professional boxing career on April 30, 1989, knocking out James Smith (not the former world Heavyweight champion) in four rounds at Galveston, Texas. Savarese's first win by first round knockout came on his second fight, against Terrence Roberts, on May 25, at Atlantic City.

Savarese won his first eight fights by knockout. On April 19, 1990, Savarese was forced to fight an entire boxing fight for the first time, when he defeated Mike Robinson in Poughkeepsie, New York by a six round decision. He proceeded to win his next seven fights by knockout, and, in 1991, Kayo boxing cards published a trading card featuring Savarese.

On September 20 of that year, he and Robinson had a rematch, with Savarese knocking Robinson out in the fourth round. His next fight, against Mike Faulkner on November 26, at White Plains, New York, resulted in a five round disqualification win for Savarese.

On November 21, 1992 Savarese fought Larry Givens, who is mostly famous for his incredible lack of success as a professional boxer. Givens retired with a record of 3-46. Savarese managed to KO Givens in the 2nd round.

Savarese ran his record to 36-0, with 30 knockouts, but he was a relatively unknown fighter: apart from the 1991 Kayo boxing trading card, no other type of media attempted to make Savarese's name a household one, partly because of the type of opposition he had met. Of Savarese's thirty six opponents, none was known to most boxing fans. So the Savarese management team came with an ingenious, and not very often seen, way to draw the public's attention towards Savarese: a Lou Savarese fan club was created, and, by the middle 1990s, the fan club was being advertised on major boxing magazines, such as Ring and KO. The advertisement offered free membership to anyone, and promised free personalized, autographed photos to each new member.

The idea worked, and Savarese was next faced with his first relatively known opponent, Buster Mathis Jr.. This fight was for the NABF's vacant regional Heavyweight title, and Savarese won the title on November 1, 1996, by knocking Mathis out in round seven, at Indio, California.

Next was a major fight against former two time world Heavyweight champion George Foreman. The fight was held on April 26, 1997, in Atlantic City. It was Savarese's HBO Boxing television show's debut, and for the widely unrecognized WBU "world Heavyweight title". While Savarese lost for the first time, he nevertheless impressed boxing critics and fans, many of whom felt he deserved the split decision that was given to Foreman. Savarese lost by scorecards of 110-118, 112-115 and a favorable 114-113.

Based on his performance against Foreman, the outcome of his next fight, against David Izon on November 1, was considered to be a mild upset. Savarese and Izon fought at New York's famed Apollo Theater, and Savarese suffered his first knockout defeat, when Izon beat him in five rounds.

But Savarese would rebound by scoring two important wins: on April 23, 1998, he defeated Jeff Lally by a knockout in round two at the Sheraton Hotel in Houston, and then, on June 25, he scored what was arguably his biggest career win, beating James Douglas, a former world Heavyweight champion and the first man to beat Mike Tyson, by knockout in the first round to pick the also widely unrecognized IBA's "World" Heavyweight title.

After that, he fought only twice in 1999, winning a split decision over then prospect Lance "Mount" Whitaker and losing by ten round decision against future Lennox Lewis world championship challenger Michael Grant, on June 19 at New York's Madison Square Garden.

More than one year later, on June 24, 2000, Savarese had his first fight abroad, when he faced Tyson in Glasgow, Scotland. The fight was stopped thirty eight seconds into the first round. While attempting to stop Tyson, referee John Coyle was accidentally pulled to the floor by him. Tyson was declared the winner by technical knockout.

Savarese remained active, and, after two wins, he beat David Bostice on November 2, 2001 by a twelve-round decision.

Another major win for Savarese came on September 22, 2002, when he beat former two-time world Heavyweight champion Tim Witherspoon by a knockout in round five at Friant, California.

On March 15, 2003, he lost the title to former John Ruiz world title challenger Kirk Johnson, who knocked Savarese out in four rounds at Dallas.

Attempting to win another regional Heavyweight title, Savarese fought Leo Nolan, for the IBA's vacant Americas Heavyweight title, but he lost to Nolan by a twelve round unanimous decision on May 7, 2004. Lou Savarese returned to the ring on March 18, 2006 stopping Marcus Rhode in two rounds at Convention Center in Fort Smith, Arkansas. His record now stands at 44-6-36 ko's.

Savarese is trained by Jesse Reid, who survived a shooting in 1984 when another of his boxers, former WBC world Jr. Welterweight champion Bruce Curry shot him two days after losing to Billy Costello.

Lou Savarese continued his comeback by stopping Travis Fulton in 3 rounds on January 18, 2007, in Houston TX. Savarese showed he still has decent ability and has now brought his record to 45-6-37 kos.

On June 30, 2007, Savarese fought former Heavyweight Champion Evander Holyfield. He fought with great heart but lost by decision to a sharp looking Holyfield. Savarese announced after the fight that he had given it his all but it wasn't good enough, and this would be his last bout.

Acting career

Savarese has been featured in episodes of The Jury, Guiding Light, The Sopranos, Damages and Rescue Me as well as the movie We Own the Night. He also played a lead role in ESPN’s documentary Cinderella Man: The James J. Braddock Story, for which he received excellent reviews for his portrayal of boxer Max Baer. Other recent works include the independent film Nicky’s Game, A Matter of Honor (film)|A Matter of Honor, and Knock, Knock, a horror film in which he plays Rico, the villain.

Professional boxing record

46 Wins (38 knockouts, 8 decisions), 7 Losses (3 knockouts, 4 decisions), 0 Draws
Result Record Opponent Type Rounds Date Location Notes
Loss 46–7 United States Evander Holyfield UD 10 30/06/2007 Texas Don Haskins Convention Center, El Paso, Texas, United States Savarese was knocked down once in 4th and 9th rounds. He announced his retirement immediately after this fight.
Win 46–6 United States Matt Hicks KO 1 (8) 05/04/2007 Texas Grand Plaza Hotel, Houston, Texas, United States
Win 45–6 United States Travis Fulton TKO 3 (6) 08/01/2007 Texas Grand Plaza Hotel, Houston, Texas, United States
Win 44–6 United States Marcus Rhode TKO 2 (6) 18/03/2006 Arkansas Convention Center, Fort Smith, Arkansas, United States
Loss 43–6 United States Leo Nolan UD 12 07/05/2004 Connecticut Foxwoods Resort, Mashantucket, Connecticut, United States For vacant IBA Americas Heavyweight title.
Loss 43–5 Canada Kirk Johnson TKO 4 (12) 15/03/2003 Texas Club Life, Dallas, Texas, United States Lost WBO Inter-Continental Heavyweight title.
Win 43–4 United States Tim Witherspoon TKO 5 (12) 22/09/2002 California Table Mountain Casino, Friant, California, United States Won vacant WBO Inter-Continental Heavyweight title.
Win 42–4 United States David Bostice UD 12 02/11/2001 Connecticut Foxwoods Resort, Mashantucket, Connecticut, United States Won vacant IBA Americas Heavyweight title.
Win 41–4 Canada Tom Glesby TKO 3 (10) 12/06/2001 Texas Astro Pavilion, Houston, Texas, United States
Win 40–4 United States Marcus Rhode TKO 2 (10) 02/05/2001 Texas Astro Pavilion, Houston, Texas, United States
Loss 39–4 United States Mike Tyson TKO 1 (10) 24/06/2000 Scotland Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom Tyson scored a knockdown after 15 seconds, from which Savarese recovered before pinning him in the corner.
Loss 39–3 United States Michael Grant UD 10 19/06/1999 New York (state) Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States Savarese down twice in 10th round.
Win 39–2 United States Lance Whitaker SD 10 06/03/1999 New Jersey Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Savarese took a knee in round 6.
Win 38–2 United States Buster Douglas KO 1 (12) 25/06/1998 Connecticut Foxwoods Resort, Mashantucket, Connecticut, United States Won vacant IBA Heavyweight title. Douglas knocked down 3 times.
Win 37–2 United States Jeff Lally TKO 2 (10) 23/04/1998 Texas Sheraton Hotel, Houston, Texas, United States
Loss 36–2 Nigeria David Izon KO 5 (10) 01/11/1997 New York (state) Apollo Theater, New York, New York, United States
Loss 36–1 United States George Foreman SD 12 26/04/1997 New Jersey Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States For WBU/Lineal Heavyweight title.
Win 36–0 United States Buster Mathis Jr. TKO 7 (12) 01/11/1996 California Fantasy Springs Casino, Indio, California, United States Won vacant USBA Heavyweight title.
Win 35–0 United States Tim Puller TKO 2 (10) 20/08/1996 New York (state) MSG Theater, New York, New York, United States
Win 34–0 United States Lyle McDowell TKO 2 (?) 12/01/1996 New York (state) Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States
Win 33–0 United States Sean Hart TKO 2 (?) 12/12/1995 New Jersey Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 32–0 United States Olian Alexander TKO 6 (10) 06/10/1995 New Jersey Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 31–0 United States Edgar Turpin KO 1 (?) 18/08/1995 New York (state) Middletown, New York, United States
Win 30–0 United States Brian Morgan PTS 8 05/03/1995 Oklahoma Civic Assembly Center, Muskogee, Oklahoma, United States
Win 29–0 United States Ken Merritt TKO 4 (10) 05/11/1994 Nevada Caesars Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada, United States
Win 28–0 United States Henry Wilson KO 1 (8) 13/09/1994 Missouri Marriott Hotel, Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Win 27–0 United States Bill Duncan KO 1 (?) 01/03/1994 Missouri Jefferson City, Missouri, United States
Win 26–0 United States Nathaniel Fitch UD 10 17/04/1993 Pennsylvania Fernwood Resort, Bushkill, Pennsylvania, United States
Win 25–0 United States Fred Whitaker KO 6 (?) 23/12/1992 New York (state) Westchester County Center, White Plains, New York, United States
Win 24–0 United States Larry Givens KO 2 (8) 21/11/1992 British Columbia Beban Park, Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
Win 23–0 United States Elvin Evans KO 2 (?) 27/03/1992 New York (state) Catskill, New York, United States
Win 22–0 United States Mike Faulkner DQ 5 (?) 26/11/1991 New York (state) Westchester County Center, White Plains, New York, United States
Win 21–0 United States Mike Robinson TKO 4 (?) 20/09/1991 New York (state) Westchester County Center, White Plains, New York, United States
Win 20–0 United States Mark Young UD 8 23/07/1991 New York (state) Kushers Country Club, Monticello, New York, United States
Win 19–0 United States Larry Smith KO 6 (?) 02/07/1991 Louisiana Ragley, Monticello, Louisiana, United States
Win 18–0 United States Max Key KO 1 (?) 26/02/1991 Alabama Birmingham, Alabama, United States
Win 17–0 United States Marshall Tillman UD 6 11/01/1991 New Jersey Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 16–0 United States Marcus Dorsey KO 2 (?) 04/12/1990 Louisiana Vinton, Louisiana, United States
Win 15–0 United States James Ruffin KO 1 (?) 25/10/1990 Louisiana Texas Longhorn Club, Vinton, Louisiana, United States
Win 14–0 Travis Pickering KO 1 (?) 06/10/1990 Montana Great Falls, Montana, United States
Win 13–0 United States Barry Kirton KO 2 (?) 14/08/1990 New York (state) City Center, Saratoga Springs, New York, United States
Win 12–0 United States James Ruffin KO 2 (?) 17/07/1990 Louisiana Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States
Win 11–0 United States Dan Ross KO 1 (?) 04/07/1990 Montana Phillips County Fairgrounds, Billings, Montana, United States
Win 10–0 United States Andre Crowder KO 1 (?) 18/05/1990 New York (state) Callicoon, New York, United States
Win 9–0 United States Mike Robinson PTS 6 19/04/1990 New York (state) Poughkeepsie, New York, United States
Win 8–0 United States Ken Elliott KO 2 (?) 15/03/1990 Texas Fairmont Hotel, Dallas, Texas, United States
Win 7–0 United States Melvin Young KO 2 (?) 11/12/1989 Texas Convention Center, Pasadena, Texas, United States
Win 6–0 United States Randy Rivers TKO 2 (4) 24/11/1989 New York (state) Broome County Arena, Binghamton, New York, United States
Win 5–0 United States John Basil Jackson TKO 1 (?) 10/11/1989 New York (state) Villa Roma Resort, Callicoon, New York, United States
Win 4–0 United States Alan Jamison KO 1 (?) 26/10/1989 New York (state) Kemper Arena, Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Win 3–0 United States Robert Horton KO 1 (?) 05/10/1989 Texas Houston, Texas, United States
Win 2–0 United States Terrence Roberts TKO 1 (?) 25/05/1989 New Jersey Resorts International, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 1–0 United States James Smith KO 4 (?) 30/04/1989 Texas Moody Center, Galveston, Texas, United States

External links

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