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Two-time champion Verno "Cool Ruler" Phillips has decided to bring his boxing career to a close. "I've had a good career," said Phillips of a 20-year, 54 pro fight journey. "I've seen it all and done it all." With no Olympic medal or major promoter backing him, Phillips turned pro in 1988 and had to fight his way up the rankings by taking on all comers. Never one to duck or dodge a fight, Phillips traveled abroad, out of state, and overseas frequently to make a name for himself. While encountering some speed bumps along the way, he had some very impressive wins and picked up multiple world titles.
In 1991, he defeated then 30-0 Julio Cesar Vasquez in his hometown of Argentina.
In 1993, he picked up his first World title winning the WBO by stopping the formidable Lupe Aquino inside seven rounds. He tallied three successful defenses before dropping a decision loss to Gianfranco Rosi in Italy in 1995. It was later revealed that Rosi failed the drug test resulting in Phillips being reinstated as champion and the loss being changed to a no contest.
Phillips however, ended up losing the WBO in his very next defense to Paul "Silky" Jones in the United Kingdom.
He tested the middleweight waters briefly in 96, and 97, coming up short with a record of 1-3 against the bigger, heavier opposition, including a failed attempt at the lightly regarded WBU against Silvio Branco in Italy.
He did manage to pick up the jr. middleweight World Boxing Union(WBU) title upon returning to 154, by beating the aforementioned Gianfranco Rosi in the United Kingdom. He defended that title twice, one of them being a devastating knockout over Julain Jackson in 1998.
He came back after a lengthy hiatus and jumped right back into the mix of things in 2001, taking on then hot rising prospect Kassim "The Dream" Ouma. Verno would end up losing in a spirited battle to Ouma that would shatter all types of compubox records that night for jr. middle's.
He then went on a seven fight win streak picking up the IBF in the process in 2004, only to lose it in his first defense to the talented Ouma once again, who boasted a then splendid record of 19-1-1 at the time.
In 2005, Verno made his HBO debut by dropping Ike Quartey twice, only to be credited with one of them, resulting in a controversial decision loss for the veteran.
Verno would go on to win the IBF once again in 2008 against Cory Spinks in St Louis.
He vacated that title and fought former welterweight champ Paul "The Punisher" Williams where he was stopped for only the second time in a career that lasted well over twenty years.
When reflecting upon his own career Verno says he doesn't have any regrets. When asked if he could change anything in his illustrious career what would it be and why, he responds by saying, "better people. If I had better people around me looking out for my best interest, with the intent of bettering my position, I would have won many more World titles and made way better money,"
Verno now says he will relax and enjoy life during his retirement while hoping to one day get that call from Canastota. He believes his many World titles and longevity should play into consideration at the point of his eligibility. "I hope so. I got World titles, and I definitely been around long enough. I ruled for a long time. That would be nice to go into the Hall of Fame and be forever mentioned. I hope they do call. I deserve it," said Phillips.
---btalk
In 1991, he defeated then 30-0 Julio Cesar Vasquez in his hometown of Argentina.
In 1993, he picked up his first World title winning the WBO by stopping the formidable Lupe Aquino inside seven rounds. He tallied three successful defenses before dropping a decision loss to Gianfranco Rosi in Italy in 1995. It was later revealed that Rosi failed the drug test resulting in Phillips being reinstated as champion and the loss being changed to a no contest.
Phillips however, ended up losing the WBO in his very next defense to Paul "Silky" Jones in the United Kingdom.
He tested the middleweight waters briefly in 96, and 97, coming up short with a record of 1-3 against the bigger, heavier opposition, including a failed attempt at the lightly regarded WBU against Silvio Branco in Italy.
He did manage to pick up the jr. middleweight World Boxing Union(WBU) title upon returning to 154, by beating the aforementioned Gianfranco Rosi in the United Kingdom. He defended that title twice, one of them being a devastating knockout over Julain Jackson in 1998.
He came back after a lengthy hiatus and jumped right back into the mix of things in 2001, taking on then hot rising prospect Kassim "The Dream" Ouma. Verno would end up losing in a spirited battle to Ouma that would shatter all types of compubox records that night for jr. middle's.
He then went on a seven fight win streak picking up the IBF in the process in 2004, only to lose it in his first defense to the talented Ouma once again, who boasted a then splendid record of 19-1-1 at the time.
In 2005, Verno made his HBO debut by dropping Ike Quartey twice, only to be credited with one of them, resulting in a controversial decision loss for the veteran.
Verno would go on to win the IBF once again in 2008 against Cory Spinks in St Louis.
He vacated that title and fought former welterweight champ Paul "The Punisher" Williams where he was stopped for only the second time in a career that lasted well over twenty years.
When reflecting upon his own career Verno says he doesn't have any regrets. When asked if he could change anything in his illustrious career what would it be and why, he responds by saying, "better people. If I had better people around me looking out for my best interest, with the intent of bettering my position, I would have won many more World titles and made way better money,"
Verno now says he will relax and enjoy life during his retirement while hoping to one day get that call from Canastota. He believes his many World titles and longevity should play into consideration at the point of his eligibility. "I hope so. I got World titles, and I definitely been around long enough. I ruled for a long time. That would be nice to go into the Hall of Fame and be forever mentioned. I hope they do call. I deserve it," said Phillips.
---btalk
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