Richard Boone Pultz (born November 18, 1959) is an American former professional boxer who won the

WBO The World Boxing Organization (WBO) is an organization which sanctions professional boxing bouts. It is recognized by the International Boxing Hall of Fame (IBHOF) as one of the four major world championship groups, alongside the World Boxing ...

Cruiserweight Cruiserweight is a term associated with: *Cruiserweight (boxing), a weight class in boxing between light heavyweight and heavyweight * Cruiserweight (MMA), a weight class in mixed martial arts with an upper weight limit at . *Cruiserweight (profess ...

title in December 1989.

Amateur career

Pultz who grew up in

Cape St. Claire, Maryland Cape St. Claire, a suburb of Annapolis, is a covenanted, unincorporated community as well as a census-designated place (CDP) in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, United States. While the community of Cape St. Claire lies entirely within the CDP and ac ...

took up boxing as a teenager after seeing a

Rocky Balboa Robert "Rocky" Balboa (also known by his ring name The Italian Stallion), is a fictional title character and the protagonist of the ''Rocky'' film series. The character was created by Sylvester Stallone, who has also portrayed him in all e ...

film. He won four straight Golden Gloves and Amateur Athletic Union championships before turning pro in 1982.

Professional career

Pultz made his professional debut in 1982. After winning his first ten fights, Pultz fought

Bernard Benton Bernard Benton (born January 6, 1957) is a retired American professional boxer in the Cruiserweight division who held the WBC and '' The Ring'' cruiserweight titles. Professional career Known as "The Bull", Benton turned pro in 1981 and won th ...

for the USBA Cruiserweight Title in

Atlantic City, New Jersey Atlantic City, often known by its initials A.C., is a coastal resort city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States. The city is known for its casinos, Boardwalk (entertainment district), boardwalk, and beaches. In 2020 United States censu ...

on March 27 1985, winning a decision over 12 rounds. In 1989 the undefeated Pultz got the opportunity to fight

Magne Havnå Magne Havnå (16 September 1963 – 29 May 2004) was a Norwegian professional boxer who once held the WBO world title in cruiserweight, beating Boone Pultz (USA) in 5 rounds in May 1990. His son Kai Robin Havnaa is also a boxer in the cruiserwei ...

for the vacant

title. Pultz travelled to Copenhagen and was successful, denying the Norwegian the title in a close 12 round split - decision contest. Sixth months later Pultz again travelled to Denmark for a rematch, this time suffering his first defeat via a knockout in the 5th round. Fresh off the defeat Pultz agreed to move up to Heavyweight and was scheduled to fight

George Foreman George Edward Foreman (born January 10, 1949) is an American former professional boxer, entrepreneur, minister and author. In boxing, he was nicknamed "Big George" and competed between 1967 and 1997. He is a two-time world heavyweight champ ...

Nassau, Bahamas Nassau ( ) is the capital city, capital and largest city of the Bahamas. With a population of 274,400 as of 2016, or just over 70% of the entire population of the Bahamas, Nassau is commonly defined as a primate city, dwarfing all other towns in ...

. Foreman backed out at the last minute, citing a training injury and no follow up date was offered. Pultz then took a three year layoff and never fought for a belt again. Pultz initially retired in 1995, with a record of 23-1. However after over a decade of inactivity, a 47 year old Pultz decided to make a comeback, aiming to win the Heavyweight world title. Pultz initially had success, beating two journeymen opponents, but succumbed to two defeats in a row and nearing his 50th birthday fought for the last time in 2008.

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Pultz, Boone 1959 births Living people American male boxers People from Anne Arundel County, Maryland Southpaw boxers Boxers from Maryland World cruiserweight boxing champions Cruiserweight boxers World Boxing Organization champions

Amateur career

Professional career

See also

References

External links