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Lou Savarese is widely known as one of boxing's nice guys.
Unfortunately for his recent opponents, that kindness hasn't
extended between the ropes, where "Big Lou" has
won his last four bouts, three
by knockout.
Included in this winning streak is a 12 round decision victory
over up and coming prospect David Bostice and an emphatic
fifth round stoppage of former two-time heavyweight champion
Tim Witherspoon. Needless to say, to the 37-year-old Savarese,
age ain't nothin' but a number.
"To quote my manager, Bob Spagnola, 'a day is a year
in the heavyweight division,'" said Savarese. "I've
learned that 50 times over, and it's so true."
Born in New York on July 14, 1965, Savarese had an impressive
amateur career in the metro area before turning pro on April
30, 1989 with a fourth round knockout of James Smith.
A local favorite, Savarese piled up win after win, sometimes
in spectacular fashion, and soon started to be noticed not
only for his boxing skills, but as a marketable athlete in
a division in danger of becoming boring.
But if Savarese couldn't pull it off in the ring, all the
TV appearances and magazine features wouldn't mean a thing.
After building up a 35-0 record, Savarese faced a huge test
in fellow prospect Buster Mathis
Jr. on November 1, 1996.
Showcasing all his skills for the boxing world, Savarese
stopped Mathis in seven rounds to win the vacant USBA heavyweight
title.
That victory earned Savarese a fight with the legendary former
heavyweight champion George Foreman. On April 26, 1997, the
two heavyweights battled on even terms for 12 rounds, with
"Big George" eking out a disputed split decision.
Discouraged by the fight with Foreman, a bout he and many
others thought he won, Savarese took on rugged Nigerian David
Izon in November of 1997, and unfocused, was KO'ed in five
rounds.
The skeptics now doubted "Big Lou", but Savarese
was still confident in his ability to compete in the division.
He proved it with three straight wins, including a spectacular
first round KO of former heavyweight king
Buster Douglas, and a decision win over previously unbeaten
Mount Whitaker.
After the Whitaker fight, Savarese, now living in Houston,
where he resides today with his wife and two children, lost
bouts to top heavyweight contender Michael Grant and former
heavyweight champ Mike Tyson.
Following the loss to Tyson in June of 2000, Lou took a much-deserved
year off from the sport of boxing to spend time with his family
and rest.
In May of 2001, Savarese returned with a vengeance, stopping
Marcus Rhode in two rounds. Four wins have followed, and after
his win over Witherspoon, "Big Lou" is once again
a player in the heavyweight
division.
It' couldn't have happened to a nicer guy.
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