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Vassiliy Jirov
Jirov on a Kazakhstani postage stamp
Born	Vassiliy Valeryevich Jirov (1974-04-04) 4 April 1974 (age 50) Balkhash, Kazakh SSR, Soviet Union (now Kazakhstan)
Nationality	Kazakhstani
Other names	The Tiger
Statistics
Weight(s)	Cruiserweight Heavyweight
Height	6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Reach	74 in (188 cm)
Stance	Southpaw
Boxing record
Total fights	42
Wins	38
Wins by KO	32
Losses	3
Draws	1
Medal record Representing  Kazakhstan Olympic Games 1996 Atlanta Light heavyweight World Championships 1993 Tampere Middleweight 1995 Berlin Light heavyweight Asian Games 1994 Hiroshima Light heavyweight

Vassiliy Valeryevich Jirov (Russian: Васи́лий Вале́рьевич Жи́ров; born 4 April 1974), sometimes known as Vasily Zhirov, is a Kazakhstani former professional boxer who competed from 1997 to 2009, and held the IBF cruiserweight title from 1999 to 2003. As an amateur he won a gold medal at the 1996 Olympics, as well as consecutive bronzes at the 1993 and 1995 World Championships, all in the light heavyweight division.

Amateur career

Jirov took up boxing in 1986 when he was 12, studying at the Balkhash Technical School. His first coach was Alexander Apachinsky (Merited Trainer of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Master of Sports of the USSR). Jirov later recalled that:

I came to boxing after seeing the movie "Rocky", I was eager to be like Rocky. The first time in the ring was painful, I welcomed punches, there were bruises. I said that I will go through it, after all it's not so painful, not so sad, it could make life better. My first coach Alexander Ivanovich Apachinsky wanted me to grow up not just a boxer, but to grow up a man. He helped me doing that. He was a tough man, but if you look at life, at that energy of life, its pressure would simply eat you up. He taught me to go all the way, no matter what.

From 1989 to 1991, he became the champion of the Kazakh SSR three times in a row. In 1990 he became the champion of the All-Union Spartakiad of Young Students (4 fights, 4 victories, Moscow,) and also won the USSR Youth Championship (4 fights, 4 victories, Donetsk,) received a degree of Master of Sports of the USSR in boxing.

In 1991, Jirov, who was yet at the junior age class, didn't win the USSR Championship in Saratov (4 fights, 3 wins, 2nd place,) however he received an invitation to the USSR youth team.

In 1994, Vassiliy moved to the light heavyweight division (up to 81 kg.)

In December 1996, Jirov travelled to the United States, where he signed a contract with boxing promoter Bob Arum and began his career as a professional boxer.

Highlights

Jirov was awarded the Val Barker Trophy for outstanding performance at the 1996 Summer Olympics.

He finished his amateur career having 217 fights under his belt, with a record of 207 wins, 10 losses (no stoppages.)

Professional career

Jirov made his debut as a professional on 18 January 1997, with a two-round knockout of Vince Brown in Las Vegas. He won eleven fights that first year, all by knockout, including wins over Exum Speight and Art Jimmerson. In 1998, he won eight fights, six before the final bell. On 5 May he won the WBC's regional cruiserweight title with a 12-round decision over Rich La Montaigne, who became the first boxer to last the full distance against Jirov. On 5 December he once again fought in Ukrainian territory. In his first fight as a professional in Ukraine, he beat Alexander Vasiliev in Kyiv by decision in eight rounds.

IBF cruiserweight champion

In 1999, Jirov was given his first world title try: In front of an HBO Boxing audience, he beat IBF world Cruiserweight champion Arthur Williams by a knockout in seven rounds at Biloxi, Mississippi, to become that organization's world cruiserweight champion.

For his first defense, he fought at the main supportive event at the Felix Trinidad-Oscar De La Hoya undercard on 18 September, retaining the crown with a ten-round knockout of Canadian Dale Brown.

In 2000, he beat Saul Montana by knockout in round nine to retain the world title on an Univision televised fight, and won two non-title bouts, including one over Esteban Pizarro at the Playboy mansion.

On 6 February 2001, Jirov went to Kazakhstan to defend his crown in his home-country for the first time. There, he retained the title with a first-round knockout of Álex González. He won three more fights that year, one a world title affair against Julian Letterlough (knockout win in 8).

There were reports that Jirov's team and HBO were trying to negotiate a matchup against Roy Jones Jr., but those talks fell through.

In 2002 Jirov, then managed by the Sugar Ray Leonard promotion company, defended his crown once that year, beating former world Middleweight champion Jorge Castro of Argentina by a 12-round decision on 1 February at the Celebrity Theater in Phoenix. Talks had begun about a fight of his against former multiple division world champion James Toney. However, negotiations took long and Jirov spent more than one year outside the ring, time in which the IBF threatened to take away recognition of Jirov as world champion if he did not defend his crown soon. As a result of these managerial problems, Jirov also moved from the SAR club gym, favored by his management, to Joe Diaz's Gym, near Downtown Phoenix.

Losing the title to Toney

Jirov and Toney finally met on 26 April 2003, and Jirov suffered his first career defeat, when he lost the IBF cruiserweight title to Toney by a 12-round unanimous decision. On 9 August Jirov came back, beating fringe contender Ernest Mateen by knockout in seven rounds.

On 6 November 2003 he won the NABO regional cruiserweight title with a six-round knockout of Joseph Kiwanuka in Phoenix. Jirov's next fight was against ex-heavyweight champion, Michael Moorer. Jirov was beaten by Moorer via TKO in the ninth round. Over the next six months, Jirov defeated Forrest Neal by knockout in round 3 and defeated Troy Beats by unanimous decision. His next fight was against former heavyweight and cruiserweight contender Orlin Norris. Jirov and Norris fought to a draw.

In his first return bout to the cruiserweight division (April 20, 2006) he defeated Luke Munsen in a unanimous decision.

On 14 July 2007 Jirov defeated Kenny 'The Raven' Craven by TKO in second round of 10 round scheduled bout.

As a heavyweight, Jirov also lost to Joe Mesi by unanimous decision, after throwing a blow to Mesi that resulted in subdural bleeding near the fight's end. It also marked the downturn in Jirov's fighting career, and after a few more fights, he retired in 2009.

Post-fight career in boxing

Jirov lives in Arizona and works at the Scottsdale Boxing Club as a coach. Reflecting on his time as a fighter, Jirov said: “I travelled the world, got paid and kicked some ass.”

Professional boxing record

No.	Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round, time	Date	Location	Notes
42	Win	38–3–1	Jonathan Williams	TKO	2 (10), 2:52	17 Oct 2009	Celebrity Theatre, Phoenix, Arizona, US
41	Win	37–3–1	Kenny Craven	TKO	2 (10), 2:18	14 Jul 2007	4 Bears Casino & Lodge, New Town, North Dakota, US
40	Win	36–3–1	Luke Munsen	UD	10	20 Apr 2006	Coeur d'Alene Casino Resort Hotel, Worley, Idaho, US
39	Draw	35–3–1	Orlin Norris	MD	8	21 Jul 2005	Palace Indian Gaming Center, Lemoore, California, US
38	Win	35–3	Troy Beets	UD	10	14 May 2005	Coushatta Casino Resort, Kinder, Louisiana, US
37	Win	34–3	Forrest Neal	TKO	3 (10), 1:10	7 Apr 2005	Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, US
36	Loss	33–3	Michael Moorer	TKO	9 (12), 2:08	9 Dec 2004	Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, US	For vacant WBA North American, WBA–NABA, and WBC Continental Americas heavyweight titles
35	Loss	33–2	Joe Mesi	UD	10	13 Mar 2004	Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, US
34	Win	33–1	Joseph Kiwanuka	RTD	6 (12), 3:00	6 Nov 2003	Celebrity Theatre, Phoenix, Arizona, US	Won vacant WBO–NABO cruiserweight title
33	Win	32–1	Ernest Mateen	TKO	7 (10), 1:09	7 Aug 2003	Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, US
32	Loss	31–1	James Toney	UD	12	26 Apr 2003	Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, US	Lost IBF cruiserweight title
31	Win	31–0	Jorge Castro	UD	12	1 Feb 2002	Celebrity Theatre, Phoenix, Arizona, US	Retained IBF cruiserweight title
30	Win	30–0	Julian Letterlough	TKO	8 (12), 1:24	8 Sep 2001	Lawlor Events Center, Reno, Nevada, US	Retained IBF cruiserweight title
29	Win	29–0	Adolpho Washington	UD	10	20 Jul 2001	Memorial Civic Center, Canton, Ohio, US
28	Win	28–0	Terry McGroom	KO	1 (12), 1:22	24 Mar 2001	MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, US	Retained IBF cruiserweight title
27	Win	27–0	Alex Gonzales	KO	1 (12), 1:35	6 Feb 2001	Baluan Sholak Sports Palace, Almaty, Kazakhstan	Retained IBF cruiserweight title
26	Win	26–0	Earl Butler	TKO	2 (10), 2:35	29 Jul 2000	Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Arizona, US
25	Win	25–0	Esteban Pizzarro	KO	2 (10), 2:59	19 May 2000	Playboy Mansion, Los Angeles, California, US
24	Win	24–0	Don Normand	TKO	1	25 Mar 2000	Seven Feathers Casino Resort, Canyonville, Oregon, US
23	Win	23–0	Saúl Montana	TKO	9 (12), 2:55	12 Feb 2000	Bank of America Centre, Boise, Idaho, US	Retained IBF cruiserweight title
22	Win	22–0	Dale Brown	KO	10 (12), 2:52	18 Sep 1999	Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, US
21	Win	21–0	Arthur Williams	TKO	7 (12), 1:59	5 Jun 1999	Grand Casino, Biloxi, Mississippi, US	Won IBF cruiserweight title
20	Win	20–0	Onebo Maxime	KO	5 (12), 2:48	22 Apr 1999	Hilton Anatole, Dallas, Texas, US	Won vacant WBC Continental Americas cruiserweight title
19	Win	19–0	Cesar Rendon	KO	1 (8), 0:25	6 Mar 1999	Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, US
18	Win	18–0	Alexander Vasiliev	UD	8	5 Dec 1998	Palace of Sports, Kyiv, Ukraine
17	Win	17–0	John Kiser	TKO	8 (10), 0:43	3 Oct 1998	Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, US
16	Win	16–0	Cliff Nellon	TKO	3 (8), 2:22	6 Aug 1998	Grand Casino Avoyelles, Marksville, Louisiana, US
15	Win	15–0	Rich LaMontagne	UD	12	5 May 1998	Grand Casino, Biloxi, Mississippi, US	Won vacant WBC International cruiserweight title
14	Win	14–0	Jason Waller	TKO	1, 2:00	14 Mar 1998	Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
13	Win	13–0	Trent Surratt	TKO	2 (8), 2:58	10 Feb 1998	Midnight Rodeo, Phoenix, Arizona, US
12	Win	12–0	Jason Nicholson	TKO	2 (10), 2:37	23 Jan 1998	Grand Casino, Tunica, Mississippi, US
11	Win	11–0	Art Jimmerson	TKO	2 (10), 2:55	6 Dec 1997	Circus Maximus Showroom, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
10	Win	10–0	Quinton Osgood	TKO	1 (8), 2:15	18 Oct 1997	Star of the Desert Arena, Primm, Nevada, US
9	Win	9–0	Calvin Combs	TKO	2 (8), 1:17	12 Sep 1997	Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, US
8	Win	8–0	Dennis Matthews	TKO	4 (6), 1:47	5 Jul 1997	Isle of Capri Casino, Lake Charles, Louisiana, US
7	Win	7–0	Gesses Mesgana	TKO	2 (8), 2:23	31 May 1997	Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
6	Win	6–0	Tyrone Armstead	RTD	4 (6), 3:00	12 Apr 1997	Tropicana Las Vegas, Paradise, Nevada, US
5	Win	5–0	Calvin Smith	TKO	1 (4)	30 Mar 1997	Mohegan Sun Arena, Montville, Connecticut, US
4	Win	4–0	Aljenon DeBose	TKO	3 (6), 2:54	8 Mar 1997	Convention Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, US
3	Win	3–0	Chuck Miller	TKO	4, 2:38	12 Feb 1997	The Theater at Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
2	Win	2–0	Exum Speight	TKO	3 (6), 2:00	28 Jan 1997	Club Rio, Tempe, Arizona, US
1	Win	1–0	Vincent Brown	TKO	2 (6), 1:29	18 Jan 1997	Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, US

References

1. ^ HBO Sports tale of the tape prior to the James Toney fight.
2. ^ Vasily Zhirov. sports-reference.com
3. Dicker, Ron (2003-04-24). "Plus: Boxing; Cruiserweight Tries to Make Name". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-07-01.
4. Dennen, John (2015-07-07). "Vassiliy Jirov looks back on fights with James Toney, Michael Moorer, his Olympic gold medal and more". Boxing News. Retrieved 2020-07-01.
5. There's No Stopping Roy Jones
6. "Best I Faced: Vassiliy Jirov". Ring TV. 23 July 2018.

External links

• Vassiliy Jirov at BoxRec (registration required)
• Vassiliy Jirov at Olympics.com
• Vassiliy Jirov at Olympedia

• 1974 births
• Living people
• Sportspeople from Karaganda Region
• Olympic boxers for Kazakhstan
• Boxers at the 1996 Summer Olympics
• Olympic gold medalists for Kazakhstan
• Southpaw boxers
• International Boxing Federation champions
• Olympic medalists in boxing
• Asian Games medalists in boxing
• Boxers at the 1994 Asian Games
• Kazakhstani male boxers
• AIBA World Boxing Championships medalists
• Medalists at the 1996 Summer Olympics
• Asian Games bronze medalists for Kazakhstan
• Medalists at the 1994 Asian Games
• Light-heavyweight boxers
• Heavyweight boxers
• World cruiserweight boxing champions
• Kazakhstani people of Russian descent
• Converts to Islam