Charles Shufford

Charles Lamont Shufford, Jr. (born February 3, 1973) is an American former professional boxer. He challenged once for the WBO world heavyweight title in 2001.

Amateur career Charles Shufford, a nephew of former welterweight contender Horace Shufford, was considered a star of Las Vegas amateur boxing, frequently fighting at Golden Gloves tournaments and Olympic trials. Shufford had 35 (?) amateur fights at super heavyweight (no exact record given), which included fights against Michael Grant (most notably in 1993) and Lance Whitaker, famously beating Whitaker at 1996 Olympic trials, before turning professional in 1996.

Professional career Shufford made his professional debut at November 11, 1996, defeating Kirk Holyfield by first-round TKO. and rising star Lamon Brewster via unanimous decision.

These wins lined him up for a shot at the WBO world heavyweight title against Wladimir Klitschko. For the bout Shufford weighed in at 234 lbs., dropping 17 pounds compared to his last bout. Shufford, having played George Foreman opposite Will Smith in the 2001 film Ali, entered the ring with Smith by his side. Shufford was knocked down three times, once in round two, once in round three (both times with a straight right hand) and in round six with a left hook, with referee stopping the bout after the third knockdown. According to punch stats, Klitschko landed 58 of 262 punches (22%) and Shufford connected on 16 of 190 (8%).

After that, Shufford was not able to stay in the heavyweight title scene. He remained inactive for over a year before returning to the ring against Marcellus Brown, winning by unanimous decision. He then beat Elieser Castillo but lost to Lawrence Clay-Bey and Jameel McCline. After losing to a rising star Samuel Peter by one-sided unanimous decision, Shufford was inactive for two years, and fought only sporadically since. He went 0–2–1 in his last three fights with a draw against Kelvin Davis and losses to Malik Scott and Jason Estrada.

Professional boxing record

Loss

UD 10 25/01/2008

Loss

UD 10 04/05/2007

Draw

PTS 6 07/07/2006

Loss

UD 10 17/05/2004

Loss

SD 10 25/10/2003

Win

MD 10 12/07/2003

Loss

TKO 3 09/05/2003

Loss

UD 10 03/01/2003

Win

UD 12 13/10/2002

Win

UD 6 21/09/2002

Loss

TKO 6 04/08/2001

Win

TKO 5 17/06/2001

Win

UD 10 21/10/2000

Win

TKO 8 07/09/2000

Win

UD 10 05/05/2000

Loss

UD 10 18/02/2000

Win

TKO 2 22/01/2000

Win

UD 8 04/11/1999

Win

TKO 4 17/06/1999

Win

UD 6 06/05/1999

Win

TKO 1 02/11/1998

Win

KO 1 12/05/1998

Win

DQ 3 09/04/1998

Win

SD 6 19/12/1997

Win

KO 3 14/11/1997

Win

UD 4 28/05/1997

Win

TKO 2 29/04/1997

Win

UD 4 11/01/1997

Win

TKO 1 30/11/1996

Other Perhaps Shufford's most notable accomplishment has been outside of the ring, playing the role of George Foreman in the 2001 film Ali.