Mark Breland

Professional career

Breland turned professional in 1984. In 1987 he won the vacant WBA welterweight world title by defeating Harold Volbrecht by TKO in the seventh round. He lost it in his first defense to Marlon Starling. In 1989 Breland again won the vacant WBA welterweight world title by defeating another contender, Seung Soon Lee, by first round knockout on 4 February 1989, in Las Vegas, Nevada. He made four successful title defenses (most notably, one against Lloyd Honeyghan) before losing it to Aaron Davis in a back-and-forth 9-round contest that was nearly called off twice because of injuries to Davis' eye before Breland was knocked out in round 9.

Breland retired in 1997 with a professional record of 35–3–1 (25 KOs). His losses were to Jorge Vaca, Aaron Davis, and Marlon Starling, with whom he also earned his only draw.

Boxing Trainer

Breland has served as a boxing trainer, having had Vernon Forrest and former WBC heavyweight world champion Deontay Wilder among other notable clients. In recent years, he has been an assistant trainer for Jermall Charlo.

Amateur highlights

Won the 39th Intercity Golden Gloves in the welterweight division, Madison Square Garden, New York City, April 1981: Defeated Efrain Bennett KO 1 Participated in the United States National Championships, in Concord, California, May 1981: 1/4: Lost to Darryl Anthony by split decision, 2–3

Won the U.S. National Sports Festival (Welterweight) in Syracuse, New York, July 1981: 1/2: Defeated Roman George RSC 3 Finals: Defeated Darryl Robinson RSC 1 United States Welterweight Champion, Charlotte, North Carolina, April 1982: 1/4: Defeated Ron Essett RSC 1 1/2: Defeated Frank Warren by unanimous decision, 5–0 Finals: Defeated Louis Howard RSCH 2 Made the U.S. National Team at the World Champ Box-Offs in Colorado Springs, Colorado, April 1982: Defeated Louis Howard Gold medal at the World Championships (Welterweight) in Munich, West Germany, May 1982: 1/16: Defeated Vesa Koskela (Sweden) RET 2 1/8: Defeated Mihai Ciubotaru (Romania) KO 1 1/4: Defeated Jenő Danyi (Hungary) by unanimous decision, 5–0 1/2: Defeated Manfred Zielonka (West Germany) by unanimous decision, 5–0 Finals: Defeated Serik Konakbayev (Soviet Union) by unanimous decision, 5–0 Won the USA–Poland Duals (Welterweight) in Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, October 1982: Defeated Stanisław Marczyński (Poland) by unanimous decision, 3–0 Withdrew from the United States National Championships, in Indianapolis, Indiana, December 1982: 1/16: Lost to Kurt Whitesell by medical walkover

Won the AIBA International Challenge (Welterweight) in Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan, May 1983: Defeated Yong Beom Chung (South Korea) by unanimous decision, 5–0 United States Welterweight Champion, Colorado Springs, Colorado, November 1983: 1/16: Defeated Bill Harrington RSC 3 1/8: Defeated Tony Golden RSC 2 1/4: Defeated Larry Gentile by decision 1/2: Defeated Alton Rice by unanimous decision, 5–0 Finals: Defeated James Mitchell RSC 2 Won the AIBA International Challenge (Welterweight) in Los Angeles, California, April 1984: Defeated Luciano Bruno (Italy) by decision Qualified as a Welterweight at the National Olympic Trials in Fort Worth, Texas, June 1984: 1/4: Defeated Mylon Watkins KO 1 1/2: Defeated Louis Howard by unanimous decision, 5–0 Finals: Defeated Davey Gutierrez by unanimous decision, 5–0 Made the U.S. National Team at the Olympic Box-Offs in Las Vegas, Nevada, July 1984: Defeated Louis Howard by unanimous decision, 5–0 Gold medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics (Welterweight) in Los Angeles, California, July–August 1984: 1/32: Defeated Wayne Gordon (Canada) by unanimous decision, 5–0 1/16: Defeated Carlos Reyes (Puerto Rico) RSC 3 1/8: Defeated Rudel Obreja (Romania) by unanimous decision, 5–0 1/4: Defeated Genaro Leon (Mexico) KO 1 1/2: Defeated Luciano Bruno (Italy) by unanimous decision, 5–0 Finals: Defeated Yong-Su Ahn (South Korea) by unanimous decision, 5–0

Professional boxing record