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Two decades. Twenty years. Whichever way you look at it, thats a long time. Rather its someone doing a twenty-year prison bid, someone working on a job for twenty-years, or being married for two decades, its still a long damn time. But being a successful professional boxer for twenty-years just seems mind boggling. But for Verno Phillips, perserverance, determination, and balls are what keeps him going in his long illustrious career.
Turning pro in 1988, Im sure theres not much Verno hasnt seen or did.
In 91, he traveled to Julio Cesar Vasquez's home country in South America and stopped him six rounds. Vasquez at the time was 30-0 and rated in the top ten of every major organization. Vasquez, in his own right, went a twenty-three fight win streak after his fight with Phillips, picking up a world title along the way and defeating the likes of Aaron Davis, Carl Daniels, and Winky Wright. He was 53-1 at the time the Great Pernell Whitaker dethroned him. 53-1 with that one loss coming to Verno Phillips.
Phillips then went on to beat Lupe Aquino for the WBO title in 93. He defended that title four times beating formidable challenger Santos Cardona, and hard punching Jamie Llanes.
In 97, he traveled to the United Kingdom to beat Gianfranco Rosi for the WBU. He defended that title two times against the tough Godfrey Nyakana, and knockout artist Julian Jackson, knocking them both out.
He returned after a long layoff and jumped right back into the mix with hot rising prospect Kassim Ouma, who was 12-1-1 at the time, losing a decision in a war.
He then went on to reel off seven consecutive wins beating the likes of Shibata Flores, Michael Lerma, and Bronco McKart, picking up the IBF in 04 for his third World Championship.
Phillips would end up losing his IBF in his first defense against his manatory, a prime Kassim Ouma, who was then 19-1-1 at the time.
He came back on HBO to drop Ike Quartey twice, only to lose by a single point. Many felt, including the HBO broadcasters, that Ike didnt deserve the victory.
Currently, Verno is on a four fight win streak, picking up the IBF once again from Cory Spinks in St. Louis to become a four time World Champ.
Given the limited breaks he received and receives, I think its incredible, and a remarkable feat to accomplish all that he has. And the fact that he will turn thirty-nine on Novenmber 29 speaks volumes about his inner fortitude, and will to keep going. Hes been through the Terry Norris and Simon Brown era. The Fernando Vargas, Felix Trinidad era. The Shane Mosley, Winky Wright era. The Cory Spinks era. And even the Kassim Ouma era. And yet, still he stands mighty with the IBF strapped firmly around his waist.
On November 29 Verno is scheduled to face Paul Williams on HBO. Will it be a coming out party for Williams, or a birthday-victory celebration for Phillips who will turn thirty-nine on the same day as I mentioned earlier? We all know one thing for sure, Verno will need that same perserverance, determination, and balls he used for his longevity, to defeat the likes of Williams. With that being said, win or lose you get the feeling Verno isnt going anywhere anytime soon. Who knows, he may be around longer then Paul Williams. Thats what his resume indicates anyway. Who knows, he may even beat Paul Williams. His resume indicates the possibility of that also. If that is the case and Verno does beat Paul Williams, well, then we definately know he isnt going anywhere anytime soon. Big Up!
Two decades. Twenty years. Whichever way you look at it, thats a long time. Rather its someone doing a twenty-year prison bid, someone working on a job for twenty-years, or being married for two decades, its still a long damn time. But being a successful professional boxer for twenty-years just seems mind boggling. But for Verno Phillips, perserverance, determination, and balls are what keeps him going in his long illustrious career.
Turning pro in 1988, Im sure theres not much Verno hasnt seen or did.
In 91, he traveled to Julio Cesar Vasquez's home country in South America and stopped him six rounds. Vasquez at the time was 30-0 and rated in the top ten of every major organization. Vasquez, in his own right, went a twenty-three fight win streak after his fight with Phillips, picking up a world title along the way and defeating the likes of Aaron Davis, Carl Daniels, and Winky Wright. He was 53-1 at the time the Great Pernell Whitaker dethroned him. 53-1 with that one loss coming to Verno Phillips.
Phillips then went on to beat Lupe Aquino for the WBO title in 93. He defended that title four times beating formidable challenger Santos Cardona, and hard punching Jamie Llanes.
In 97, he traveled to the United Kingdom to beat Gianfranco Rosi for the WBU. He defended that title two times against the tough Godfrey Nyakana, and knockout artist Julian Jackson, knocking them both out.
He returned after a long layoff and jumped right back into the mix with hot rising prospect Kassim Ouma, who was 12-1-1 at the time, losing a decision in a war.
He then went on to reel off seven consecutive wins beating the likes of Shibata Flores, Michael Lerma, and Bronco McKart, picking up the IBF in 04 for his third World Championship.
Phillips would end up losing his IBF in his first defense against his manatory, a prime Kassim Ouma, who was then 19-1-1 at the time.
He came back on HBO to drop Ike Quartey twice, only to lose by a single point. Many felt, including the HBO broadcasters, that Ike didnt deserve the victory.
Currently, Verno is on a four fight win streak, picking up the IBF once again from Cory Spinks in St. Louis to become a four time World Champ.
Given the limited breaks he received and receives, I think its incredible, and a remarkable feat to accomplish all that he has. And the fact that he will turn thirty-nine on Novenmber 29 speaks volumes about his inner fortitude, and will to keep going. Hes been through the Terry Norris and Simon Brown era. The Fernando Vargas, Felix Trinidad era. The Shane Mosley, Winky Wright era. The Cory Spinks era. And even the Kassim Ouma era. And yet, still he stands mighty with the IBF strapped firmly around his waist.
On November 29 Verno is scheduled to face Paul Williams on HBO. Will it be a coming out party for Williams, or a birthday-victory celebration for Phillips who will turn thirty-nine on the same day as I mentioned earlier? We all know one thing for sure, Verno will need that same perserverance, determination, and balls he used for his longevity, to defeat the likes of Williams. With that being said, win or lose you get the feeling Verno isnt going anywhere anytime soon. Who knows, he may be around longer then Paul Williams. Thats what his resume indicates anyway. Who knows, he may even beat Paul Williams. His resume indicates the possibility of that also. If that is the case and Verno does beat Paul Williams, well, then we definately know he isnt going anywhere anytime soon. Big Up!
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