Boxing Across The Nation: Missouri – Champion Virgil Hill
Boxing has been a part of the American sports scene since the 1700s by way of England. It started by infiltrating the larger port towns before eventually working its way into the lexicon of America. Now it showcases some of the most talented combat sports athletes in the world. We will embark on a 50-part saga exploring the best boxers representing the United States. Some states will have more athletes to choose from than others, but the journey will be quite the ride. Let’s embark on the journey by looking at an interesting fighter or bout from each state. Next, we look at our 25th entry, the state of Missouri and the career of Virgil Hill.
Check out the 24 states we have covered by clicking below:
Alaska-Hector Camacho vs John Montes Card
Arizona-Hall of Famer Michael Carbajal
Arkansas-The Tragic Story of Sonny Liston
California-The Underappreciated Career of Andre Ward
Colorado-Boxing’s First Mega Star Jack Dempsey
Connecticut-Boxing’s Wins Leader Willie Pep
Delaware-The Night Dave Tiberi Almost Shocked the World
Florida-Pryor vs Arguello Showered In Controversy
Georgia-The Tragic Story of Cleveland “Big Cat” Williams
Hawaii-“The Hawaiian Punch” Brian Viloria
Idaho-The Sad Tale of Ed Sanders
Illinois-“The Drunken Master” Emanuel Augustus
Indiana-The Life and Antics of Kid McCoy
Iowa-Michael Nunn: In the Ring and in the Prison
Kansas-Jess Willard: “Pottawatomie Giant” Lives in Boxing History
Kentucky-Davey Moore: Losing It All In The Ring
Louisiana-Harry Wills: Boxing’s Greatest Injustice
Maine-Liston/Ali II: Putting A State On The Map
Maryland- Joe Gans: First 20th Century African American Champion
Massachusetts-CTE and the Life of Paul Pender
Minnesota-“The Other Guy” Tommy Gibbons
Mississippi-LHW GOAT Archie Moore
Missouri
Missouri, the 24th state to join the Union, is ranked 18th population among the 50 United States of America. It has a handful of respectable athletic clubs with teams in three of the country’s four major sports. With the Kansas City Chiefs coming off of another Super Bowl run, the state is also home to many world championship boxers, For example, Dixie Kid in the 1920s and Devon Alexander in the 2010’s. Many world champions call the “Show-Me State” their home. One of those boxers also includes an International Boxing Hall of Famer, former multi-time world champion, and Olympic silver medalist, Virgil Hill.
Early Life of Virgil Hill
Hill was born on January 18, 1964, in Clinton, Missouri. Clinton is located near the center of the state. It is about 225 miles west of St. Louis, and has nearly a population of 9,100-plus. Though a native of Missouri, Hill and his family moved to Grand Folks, North Dakota when Hill was just five years old. Living on a farm, Hill stated in an interview that he asked his father if they ever moved to a “city” if he could train to box after seeing Golden Gloves out of Chicago on television.
A great athlete in whatever sport he picked up, Hill stated he chose to stay with boxing to support his family. Being on the US boxing team in senior year of high school also made boxing appear to be the best athletic venture for Hill.
Amateur Career and Olympic Silver
In an outstanding amateur career, Hill would amass a stellar 288-11 record leading to an eventual silver medal in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games. More common forty years ago than today, boxers often competed multiple times a week to gain experience. Not only did Hill build experience, but did so against some of the biggest names in the world. Prior to the 1984 games, Hill would win the 1983 US Championships by defeating Cuban boxer Bernardo Comas. Comas was a very respected amateur boxer of his day, winning the gold medal at the Pan American Games in 1983.
The rematch would not happen in the Olympics has Cuba was one of the nations to boycott attendance of the American-located games. At the age of 20, Hill defeated four opponents before reaching the gold medal bout in the 1984 Summer Olympic Games. He would lose a close 2-3 decision to Shin Joon-Sup. Many believe the gold should have been Hill’s. After South Korea threatened to pull from the 1988 games, there were more than a few shaky decisions involving South Korean boxers. Due to several complaints on behalf of the South Koreans, a jury was compiled to review complaint bouts, to which many were overturned. Hill did not take this as a setback and turned professional shortly after ready to make his debut that same year.
Early Professional Career of Virgil Hill
Making his debut in one of sports’ greatest arenas, Hill would earn a knockout victory against Arthur Wright in Madison Square Garden in November 1984. Hill would continue his success going on an 18-fight winning streak heading into his first world title opportunity. Along the way, Hill would capture the WBC Continental Americas light heavyweight title in December 1986. Around 1985, Hill would make a drastic improvement to his game by garnering the assistance of a young boxing coach, Freddie Roach.
Legendary trainer Eddie Futch asked Roach to help with Hill as he was busy with his stable of world-class heavyweights. Roach stated once at a press conference, “I found out I could be a better trainer than a fighter. I have Virgil Hill and Eddie Futch to thank for that. Eddie taught me the ropes and Virgil asked me to help him. It’s been a good ride ever since.”
September 05, 1987, would see Hill capture the WBA light heavyweight championship in the Tramp Plaza. Hill would earn a fourth-round TKO against Leslie Stewart. Hill would remain champion for over three years and defend the title successfully 10 times. Unfortunately, his first title reign would come to an end in the 11th defense when he faced former all-time great Thomas Hearns. More than 14,000 people pack Vegas’ Caesars Palace for the championship clash. Though Hill entered as the favorite, Hearns would walk out the champion after a close unanimous decision.
Second Title Run and Continued Championship Success
After the Hearns defeat, Hill would defeat Aundrey Nelson before capturing the WBC International light heavyweight title from Lottie Mwale in April 1992. September 1992 would see Hill recapture major world championship recognition by defeating Olympic teammate Frank Tate in a vacant WBA light heavyweight title matchup. Hill would defeat his former teammate by unanimous decision. This matchup took place in Bismark, North Dakota, the state Hill considered home. In his 10th title defense, Hill was also given the opportunity to earn the IBF light heavyweight championship, but would have to go through Henry Maske, in Maske’s home country of Germany.
On what it was like to defeat the German in Germany, Hill stated to Boxing 247, “It was a wonderful experience to beat Henry in Germany. Just to beat a German in Germany is a feat in itself, so to speak. The fight was a unification fight for his IBF and my WBA Title. I was surprised he even took the fight, they pretty much kept Henry safe before then. However, I just came off a bad win against the “Honeyboy”, so they probably thought it was good time to pick me and considering he was a southpaw, too.”
The 11th defense would prove to be Hill’s unlucky number yet again. This time, he would drop the WBA and IBF crowns to Dariusz Michalczewski, unifying the championships in Germany. Rebounding with a fourth-round TKO loss to future hall of famer Roy Jones Jr, Hill would make the shift to cruiserweight and capture the IBC Cruiserweight Championship in December 2000. With only 11 bouts left in his career after earning this championship, Hill would capture the WBA (Regular) cruiserweight title in the twilight of his fighting days.
Hall of Fame Induction
Hill would retire with a record of 51-7, 24 wins by KO/TKO. In 2013, Hill was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Upon receiving the induction news, Hill stated, “It is the biggest honor that’s ever been bestowed upon me. It’s more than winning the five world titles and the Olympic silver medal. It’s the biggest thing – outside of my children and wife – that’s ever happened to me. I know this would have meant so much to my father. He passed away a year ago and this was a big thing for him. I’m so happy. You have no idea.”
