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Michael Sprott

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Michael Sprott
Born (1975-01-16) 16 January 1975 (age 49)
Reading, Berkshire, England
NationalityBritish
Statistics
Weight(s)Heavyweight
Height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights71
Wins42
Wins by KO17
Losses29

Michael Sprott (born 16 January 1975) is a British former professional boxer who competed from 1996 to 2018. At regional level, he held multiple heavyweight championships, including the British and Commonwealth titles in 2004, and challenged three times for the European title in 2005, 2010 and 2011, and won the Prizefighter series in 2010 and 2013.

Career

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After a quiet amateur career, Sprott turned pro in November 1996 under the old Frank Bruno trainer, Terry Lawless. He won 11 fights, including a points win over veteran Michael Murray before taking on Harry Senior in September 1998 for the Southern Area Heavyweight title. Senior, a respected sparring partner, had recently dedicated himself to being a full-time professional, and took Sprott out in 6 rounds with body shots. Sprott came back with 3 wins before falling apart in 3 rounds versus British contender Wayne Llewelyn in October 2000.

Seemingly relegated to journeyman status, In February 2001 in London, Sprott scored an upset when he outpointed the once-beaten German Timo Hoffmann, who had lost only to Vitali Klitschko. He travelled to Germany for the rematch, controversially outpointed by Hoffmann in a result that was jeered loudly by the German crowd.

In November 2001, he travelled to South Africa to face hard hitting fringe contender Corrie Sanders. In a brief and entertaining fight, Sprott rocked the southpaw before being decked himself, and suffering a controversial stoppage by the referee, with even the South African commentators deploring the stoppage.

In February 2002, Keith Long pulled out from a British and Commonwealth title fight with Danny Williams, and Sprott flew in from a holiday in Jamaica on only a few days notice. After a few rounds he ran out of gas and was stopped in the seventh round, but showed he could compete at national level. It was around this time that Sprott brought in trainer John Bloomfield, who spent six years with Frank Bruno.[1]

After this challenge, Sprott went on a successful run of form, winning 8 fights, including knockouts of Pele Reid (KO7), ex-British champ Michael Holden (KO4), Mark Potter (KO3), and Colin Kenna (KO1), setting up a rematch with Williams.

In September 2003, Sprott qualified for another shot at Williams and his titles, but after a far more competitive fight, Sprott was the victim of several low blows. When he complained to the referee he was controversially knocked out by a Williams left hook.

In January 2004, Sprott narrowly outpointed Williams in their third and final fight (115-114), lifting the British and Commonwealth titles. A few months later Williams would knockout Mike Tyson, however Sprott would lose his titles in his first defense, matched with fast undefeated Matt Skelton (12-0), Sprott was mauled and stopped in the 12th. His last fight of 2004 was a win against Czech heavyweight champ Robert Šulgan in Bethnal Green.

In 2005, Sprott would take the first of many trips abroad fighting top prospects, usually at short notice. In April he beat the German amateur star Cengiz Koc, but in October was beaten on points by Olympian Paolo Vidoz in a European title fight, both fights in Germany.[2] In December he fought future European champ Vladimir Virchis in Austria, but was once-again the victim of a controversial decision loss.

In February 2006, he outboxed veteran Antoine Palatis in Scotland, but in a WBA Eliminator in July was hammered in 8 one-sided rounds by undefeated Ruslan Chagaev. Despite the loss he went back to Germany and beat a third German prospect when he upset undefeated southpaw Rene Dettweiller in November.

During his travels in Germany, Sprott had picked up the second-tier European Heavyweight title, the "EU" title, which he defended against 2000 Olympic Gold medallist Audley Harrison in London, February 2007. Harrison had demolished Danny Williams in his last fight and was on course to face Matt Skelton in a world title eliminator. A 9/2 underdog with most bookies, Sprott came off the floor in the 1st round to score a rare stoppage win by knocking Harrison clean out in the 3rd with a left hook; and seemingly ending his career.[3]

On 14 July 2007, Sprott lost to Matt Skelton in a 12-round contest. The fight was of a very poor standard with Skelton winning on points.

On 31 May 2008, Sprott travelled to Germany to face hot prospect, and the WBA's #4 ranked contender Taras Bidenko. Sprott was outpointed in a 10-round unanimous decision, with 2 judges scoring the bout 97–93, and the other seeing it 97–94.

On 14 March 2009, Sprott fought former WBO heavyweight champion Lamon Brewster and lost a unanimous decision.

He fought Alexander Ustinov on 20 June 2009, but lost by unanimous decision after ten rounds. However he beat German Werner Kreiskott by round 1 TKO in March 2010 and this earned him a shot at the vacant European Boxing Union title against old foe Audley Harrison at Alexandra Palace in April 2010. Sprott was leading the bout on all three scorecards before Harrison knocked out Sprott with seconds remaining of round 12.

On 9 October 2010, a 35-year-old Sprott competed in Sky's 'PrizeFighter' series (Heavyweights), reaching the final where he fought Matt Skelton. It was third time lucky for Sprott, who had lost his previous 2 contests with the 43-year-old Skelton, Winning on a split decision (29-28 Skelton 29-28 sprott 29-28 sprott) after the 3 round contest and winning £32,000 in 'winner take all' prize money.[4] In September 2011, he suffered a third defeat in a European heavyweight title bout when he lost a unanimous points decision to Ukrainian Alexander Dimitrenko in Hamburg.

Outside the ring

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Michael Sprott has a son called Darnell born around 2001.[1] Darnell's name is stitched on the shorts Sprott wears for his professional contests. In recent contests Sprott's shorts have also displayed the name of his late sister Ginette, who took her own life in September 2009 after a long battle with depression.[5]

He lists his hobbies as weights, travelling and meeting new people. Outside boxing, Sprott enjoys rugby and the Wimbledon Championships. His favourite football teams are Reading FC and Arsenal F.C.[6]

Professional boxing record

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42 Wins (17 knockouts), 29 Losses (18 knockouts), 0 Draws[7]
Res. Record Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes
Loss 42-29 Poland Lukasz Rozanski TKO 2 (6) 2018-06-02 Poland G2A Arena, Jasionka 953, Rzeszów, Poland
Loss 42-28 Turkey Ali Eren Demirezen TKO 5 (8) 2017-12-23 Turkey Silence Hotel, Istanbul, Turkey
Loss 42-27 Poland Marcin Siwy UD 6 2016-11-05 Poland Hala ICDS, ul. Staszica 2, Lomianki, Poland
Loss 42-26 Romania Christian Hammer KO 1 (10) 2016-03-18 Romania Circus, Bucharest, Romania
Loss 42-25 Sweden Adrian Granat KO 1 (8) 2015-12-05 Germany Inselparkhalle, Hamburg, Germany
Loss 42-24 France Carlos Takam KO 5 (8) 2015-06-13 France Cirque d'Hiver, Paris, France
Loss 42-23 United Kingdom Anthony Joshua TKO 1 (10) 2014-11-22 United Kingdom Echo Arena, Liverpool, England For WBC International Heavyweight title.
Loss 42-22 Australia Kali Meehan KO 1 2014-06-04 New Zealand The Trusts Arena, Auckland, New Zealand Super 8 Heavyweight Tournament - Final
Win 42-21 New Zealand Anthony Nansen UD 3 2014-06-04 New Zealand The Trusts Arena, Auckland, New Zealand Super 8 Heavyweight Tournament - Semi Final
Win 41-21 United Kingdom Martin Rogan MD 3 2014-06-04 New Zealand The Trusts Arena, Auckland, New Zealand Super 8 Heavyweight Tournament - Quarter Final
Win 40-21 United States Jason Gavern UD 3 2013-11-14 United Kingdom York Hall, London, England 'Prizefighter' Tournament Heavyweight Final.
Win 39-21 United States Brian Minto UD 3 2013-11-14 United Kingdom York Hall, London, England 'Prizefighter' Tournament Heavyweight Semi-Final.
Win 38-21 United States Damian Wills UD 3 2013-11-14 United Kingdom York Hall, London, England 'Prizefighter' Tournament Heavyweight Quarter-Final.
Loss 37-21 Germany Erkan Teper TKO 1 (10) 2013-08-31 Switzerland Münsterplatz, Basel, Switzerland
Loss 37-20 Finland Robert Helenius UD 10 2013-03-23 Germany GETEC Arena, Magdeburg, Germany
Win 37-19 Germany Edmund Gerber MD 12 2012-12-15 Germany Arena Nürnberger Versicherung, Nuremberg, Germany
Loss 36-19 Germany Edmund Gerber TKO 4 (12) 2012-09-15 Germany Baden-Arena, Offenburg, Germany Sprott, angry at the stoppage decision, appeared to push the referee to the canvas.
Loss 36-18 Bulgaria Kubrat Pulev RTD 9 (12) 2012-01-14 Germany Baden-Arena, Offenburg, Germany For IBF International heavyweight title.
Loss 36-17 Germany Alexander Dimitrenko UD 12 2011-09-24 Germany Dima-Sportcenter, Hamburg, Germany For EBU (European) heavyweight title. Sprott penalized 2 points; 1 point in round 10 & 1 point in round 12.
Loss 36-16 United States Tye Fields SD 3 2011-05-27 United Kingdom Alexandra Palace, London, England Prizefighter Tournament, International heavyweight quarter-final.
Win 36-15 Turkey Serdar Uysal UD 4 2011-03-19 Germany Lanxess-Arena, Cologne, Germany
Win 35-15 United Kingdom Matt Skelton SD 3 2010-10-09 United Kingdom York Hall, London, England 'Prizefighter' Tournament Heavyweight Final.
Win 34-15 United Kingdom Shane McPhilbin UD 3 2010-10-09 United Kingdom York Hall, London, England 'Prizefighter' Tournament Heavyweight Semi-Final.
Win 33-15 United Kingdom Danny Hughes UD 3 2010-10-09 United Kingdom York Hall, London, England 'Prizefighter' Tournament Heavyweight Quarter-Final.
Loss 32-15 United Kingdom Audley Harrison KO 12 (12) 2010-04-09 United Kingdom Alexandra Palace, London, England For vacant EBU (European) heavyweight title.
Win 32-14 Germany Werner Kreiskott TKO 1 (4) 2010-03-20 Germany Esprit Arena, Düsseldorf, Germany
Loss 31-14 Russia Alexander Ustinov UD 10 2009-06-20 Germany Veltins Arena, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Loss 31-13 United States Lamon Brewster UD 8 2009-03-14 Germany Ostseehalle, Kiel, Germany Sprott down at the end of round 3.
Win 31-12 United States Zack Page PTS 6 2008-11-19 United Kingdom Royal Lancaster Hotel, London, England
Loss 30-12 Ukraine Taras Bydenko UD 10 2008-05-31 Germany Burg-Waechter Castello, Düsseldorf, Germany
Loss 30-11 United Kingdom Matt Skelton MD 12 2007-07-14 United Kingdom O2 Arena (Millennium Dome), London, England For Commonwealth (British Empire) heavyweight title. Fight was marred by a lot of holding, prompting the referee to warm both fighters repeatedly.
Win 30-10 United Kingdom Audley Harrison KO 3 (12) 2007-02-17 United Kingdom The Arena, London, England Retained EBU-EU (European Union) heavyweight title & won vacant BBBofC English heavyweight title. Sprott was knocked down in the 1st round.
Win 29-10 Germany Rene Dettweiler SD 12 2006-11-04 Germany RWE Rhein-Ruhr Sporthalle, Mülheim, Germany Retained EBU-EU (European Union) heavyweight title. Sprott received point deductions in 10th and 12th rounds for head butts.
Loss 28-10 Uzbekistan Ruslan Chagaev TKO 8 (12) 2006-07-15 Germany Color Line Arena, Hamburg, Germany For WBA Inter-Continental heavyweight title & vacant WBO Asia Pacific heavyweight title.
Win 28-9 France Antoine Palatis UD 10 2006-02-18 United Kingdom Meadowbank Sports Centre, Edinburgh, Scotland Won vacant EBU-EU (European Union) heavyweight title.
Loss 27-9 Ukraine Volodymyr Vyrchys UD 12 2005-12-13 Austria Freizeit Arena, Soelden, Austria For WBO Inter-Continental heavyweight title.
Loss 27-8 Italy Paolo Vidoz UD 12 2005-10-01 Germany EWE-Arena, Oldenburg, Germany For EBU (European) heavyweight title.
Win 27-7 Germany Cengiz Koc SD 10 2005-04-23 Germany Arena Westfalenhalle, Dortmund, Germany Won vacant EBU-EU (European Union) heavyweight title.
Win 26-7 Czech Republic Robert Sulgan TKO 1 (8) 2004-09-10 United Kingdom York Hall, London, England
Loss 25-7 United Kingdom Matt Skelton KO 12 (12) 2004-04-24 United Kingdom Rivermead Leisure Centre, Reading, England Lost BBBofC British heavyweight title & Commonwealth (British Empire) heavyweight title.
Win 25-6 United Kingdom Danny Williams PTS 12 2004-01-24 United Kingdom Conference Centre, London, England Won BBBofC British heavyweight title & Commonwealth (British Empire) heavyweight title.
Loss 24-6 United Kingdom Danny Williams TKO 5 (12) 2003-09-26 United Kingdom Rivermead Leisure Centre, Reading, England For Commonwealth (British Empire) heavyweight title. Lost BBBofC British heavyweight title. While Sprott turned to the referee to complain about a low blow, he was knocked out by a left hook to the chin.
Win 24-5 Republic of Ireland Colin Kenna TKO 1 (10) 2003-08-01 United Kingdom York Hall, London, England Retained BBBofC British heavyweight title.
Win 23-5 Czech Republic Petr Horacek KO 1 (6) 2003-06-10 United Kingdom Ponds Forge Arena, Sheffield, England
Win 22-5 United Kingdom Mark Potter TKO 3 (10) 2003-03-18 United Kingdom Rivermead Leisure Centre, Reading, England Won vacant BBBofC British heavyweight title.
Win 21-5 United Kingdom Mike Holden TKO 4 (8) 2003-01-24 United Kingdom Ponds Forge Arena, Sheffield, England
Win 20-5 Hungary Tamas Feheri TKO 2 (6) 2002-12-12 United Kingdom Equinox Nightclub, London, England
Win 19-5 United Kingdom Derek McCafferty PTS 8 2002-09-17 United Kingdom York Hall, London, England
Win 18-5 United States Garing Lane PTS 6 2002-07-10 United Kingdom Conference Centre, London, England
Win 17-5 United Kingdom Pele Reid TKO 7 (10) 2002-05-09 United Kingdom Equinox Nightclub, London, England Won vacant WBF European heavyweight title. Sprott down twice.
Loss 16-5 United Kingdom Danny Williams RTD 7 (12) 2002-02-12 United Kingdom York Hall, London, England For BBBofC British heavyweight title & Commonwealth (British Empire) heavyweight title. Sprott down in round 7.
Win 16-4 United States Jermell Barnes PTS 8 2001-12-20 Netherlands Topsportcentrum, Rotterdam, Netherlands
Loss 15-4 South Africa Corrie Sanders TKO 1 (8) 2001-11-03 South Africa Carnival City, Brakpan, South Africa
Loss 15-3 Germany Timo Hoffmann UD 8 2001-03-24 Germany Bordelandhalle, Magdeburg, Germany
Win 15-2 Germany Timo Hoffmann PTS 8 2001-02-17 United Kingdom York Hall, London, England
Loss 14-2 United Kingdom Wayne Llewellyn TKO 3 (8) 2000-10-14 United Kingdom Conference Centre, London, England
Win 14-1 United Kingdom Tony Booth PTS 6 2000-01-18 United Kingdom Leisure Centre, Mansfield, England
Win 13-1 United Kingdom Chris Woollas RTD 4 (6) 1999-07-10 United Kingdom Elephant and Castle Centre, London, England
Win 12-1 United Kingdom Gary Williams PTS 6 1999-01-16 United Kingdom York Hall, London, England
Loss 11-1 United Kingdom Harry Senior TKO 6 (10) 1998-09-12 United Kingdom York Hall, London, England
Win 11-0 United Kingdom Michael Murray PTS 6 1998-02-14 United Kingdom York Hall, London, England
Win 10-0 Republic of Ireland Ray Kane RTD 1 (6) 1998-03-14 United Kingdom Elephant and Castle Centre, London, England
Win 9-0 United Kingdom Johnny Davison TKO 2 (6) 1998-01-10 United Kingdom York Hall, London, England
Win 8-0 United Kingdom Nick Howard TKO 1 (4) 1997-12-06 United Kingdom The Arena, London, England
Win 7-0 United Kingdom Darren Fearn PTS 6 1997-11-08 United Kingdom Elephant and Castle Centre, London, England
Win 6-0 United Kingdom Gary Williams PTS 6 1997-09-02 United Kingdom Elephant and Castle Centre, London, England
Win 5-0 Poland Wladek Framas PTS 6 1997-05-20 United Kingdom Picketts Lock Stadium, London, England
Win 4-0 United Kingdom Tim Redman KO 2 (4) 1997-04-16 United Kingdom York Hall, London, England
Win 3-0 United Kingdom Alvin Miller KO 1 (4) 1997-03-17 United Kingdom Marriott Hotel, London, England
Win 2-0 United Kingdom Johnny Davison KO 2 (6) 1997-02-19 United Kingdom Town Hall, London, England
Win 1-0 United Kingdom Geoff Hunter TKO 1 (4) 1996-11-20 United Kingdom Wembley, London, England

References

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  1. ^ a b Alan Hubbard (18 April 2004). "Boxing: From Reading removals man to heavyweight champion". The Independent. Archived from the original on 14 May 2022.
  2. ^ "Sprott falters in title challenge". 1 October 2005. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  3. ^ Mike Lewis (19 February 2007). "Sprott calls time on Harrison's dream". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 28 December 2007. Retrieved 23 February 2007.
  4. ^ "Sprott lands Prizefighter". Sky Sports. 9 October 2010.
  5. ^ Natalie Slater (12 February 2010). "Sprott family vow to fight stigma of depression". Reading Post. | Alan Bunce (17 June 2010). "Emotional night for pal of Ginette Sprott". Reading Post.
  6. ^ "Michael Sprott Prizefight Profile". Matchroom Sport. Archived from the original on 15 October 2010.
  7. ^ "Michael Sprott – Boxer". boxrec.com.
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