Middleweight Boxing Champions Trivia Quiz

Answer: Marvelous

"Marvelous" Marvin Hagler was born in New Jersey in 1954. The nickname "Marvelous" certainly describes Hagler's professional boxing career. Hagler had a pro record of 62-3-2, including 52 victories by knockout (1973 TO 1987). During his career, Hagler fought some of the greatest boxers in the middleweight and light-middleweight divisions, including Roberto Duran, Thomas Hearns, John Mugabi, and Sugar Ray Leonard.

The Hagler-Leonard fight in April 1987, held in Las Vegas, was one of the greatest prizefights in history (it was Hagler's last fight).

The Marvelous One was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1993. Born Marvin Nathaniel Hagler, he legally changed his name to Marvelous Marvin Hagler in April 1982.

Answer: He had a record of 85-0 as an amateur boxer

Sugar Ray Robinson (Walker Smith Jr.) was born in the USA in 1921. This middleweight boxer had an undefeated amateur record of 85-0. As a professional, Robinson was not undefeated, but he had an impressive record of 175-19-6, including more than 100 victories by knockout.

In 1997, Ring Magazine named Robinson as the "pound for pound" greatest boxer of the 20th Century. By the way, there were no Olympic Games held in 1944, due to World War II.

Answer: Michael Spinks

Michael Spinks of St. Louis won the 1976 middleweight boxing gold medal in the city of Montreal, Quebec. All boxing matches in this Olympiad were held inside Maurice Richard Arena. In the gold medal bout, Spinks defeated Rufat Riskiyev of the USSR in three rounds.

As a professional boxer, Spinks moved up in weight to the light-heavyweight and then the heavyweight classes. The other three boxers listed in this question were not amateurs in 1976.

Answer: Argentina

Middleweight boxing champion Carlos Monzon was born in San Javier, Argentina, in 1942. Monzon captured the middleweight crown in 1970 by defeating Nino Benvenuti. Monzon made his final defense in 1977 when he defeated Rodrigo Valdez of Colombia. Monzon's overall professional record was 87-3-9, with 59 wins by knockout.

Answer: Emile Griffith

Nino Benvenuti was born in Isola, Italy, (now Slovenia) in 1938. In 1967 and 1968, Benvenuti and Virgin Island-born Emile Griffith fought a series of three terrific bouts in New York City. On April 17, 1967, the two men fought in Madison Square Garden; Benvenuti won a 15-round decision.

In September 1967, Benvenuti and Griffith had a rematch at Shea Stadium, and Griffith turned the tables by earning a 15-round victory. The final fight in this epic trilogy occurred on March 4, 1968, in the Garden; Benvenuti recaptured the middleweight title by out-dueling Griffith in yet another 15-round decision.

The other three boxers listed in this question were all heavyweight fighters in 1967.

Answer: The Executioner

Bernard Hopkins, "The Executioner", was born in Philadelphia in 1965. During his pro career, Hopkins boxed against some of the best fighters in recent history, including Roy Jones, Jr., Oscar de la Hoya, and Jermain Taylor. In September 2001, The Executioner defeated Felix Trinidad in New York City's Madison Square Garden to capture the undisputed middleweight championship of the world.

Answer: Jake LaMotta

The movie "Raging Bull" starred Robert DeNiro as Jake LaMotta, the middleweight boxing champion of the world from 1949 to 1951. DeNiro won the 1980 Academy Award for Best Actor for this film. LaMotta was born in New York City in 1921. LaMotta had a professional record of 83-19-4, including 30 victories by knockout.

Answer: Rocky Graziano

Rocky Graziano (born Thomas Barbella) became the middleweight boxing champion of the world in 1947. Graziano, born in New York City in 1919, survived a tough childhood and eventually emerged as a champion fighter. Graziano was a hard puncher who compiled a career professional record of 67-10-6, including over 60 wins by knockout.

Answer: Beijing

James DeGale, born in London in 1986, captured the 2008 middleweight gold medal in boxing. The 2008 Olympic Games were held in Beijing, China; boxing matches were held at the Workers Indoor Arena. DeGale won the gold medal by defeating Emilio Correa of Cuba, 16 points to 14.

Answer: Nigeria

Middleweight boxing champion Dick Tiger was born in Nigeria in 1929. Tiger became WBA middleweight champion of the world in 1962 and then again in 1965. Tiger was known for his active, rapid-fire style of fighting. During his pro career, Tiger compiled a record of 60-18-3, including 29 wins by knockout.