Vassiliy ‘Tiger’ Jirov

Name: Vassiliy Jirov Nickname: 'The Tiger'  Global ID: 007121 Federal ID: AZ046704 Height: 6'2"  Weight: 200 lbs  Reach: 74.5"  Stance: Southpaw  Birthday: 04.04.74  Hometown: Balkhash, Kazakhstan Residence Town: Paradise Valley, AZ Titles: former - IFB Cruiserweight Champion 1999-2003 1996 Olympic Gold Medallist and Barker Cup Winner Pro record: 36 Wins, 3 Losses, 1Draw, 30 KO's

Vassiliy 'Tiger' Jirov is an established world champion and a boxing legend.

Jirov is unique to American boxing - a southpaw, who can box, punch, and take a punch.

His profound boxing knowledge enables him to fight at any division. His fight vs. heavyweight "Baby" Joe Mesi

on the Mosley-Wright card was an exciting, dramatic, and spectacular event. It had the potential, like the fight

vs. James Toney, to become the Fight of the Year. It was his second heavyweight bout and another appearance

on HBO Sports. As a cruiserweight, Jirov won his first heavyweight fight vs. Adolpho Washington in 10 rounds

fight by unanimous decision.

Vassiliy Jirov is no stranger to tests of physical and mental fortitude. As a youth in his native Kazakhstan, he was

introduced to the sport of boxing when he visited a local gym with a friend. It was there that he met the coach of

the Kazakhstan National Boxing Team, with whom Jirov would later become very close, and it was there that he

endured some of the most bizarre and trying training techniques ever conceived. These “exercises” included running

down a hallway from German Shepard attack dogs, to reach the single door at the end. It was there, also, that he

was molded into one of boxing greatest warriors, the tough as nails fighter we see today.

As an amateur, Jirov was second to none. Most of his opponents would run from the opening bell and it would be

like game of cat and mouse, usually ending in the 2nd round when he would finally catch up to them and pound

away with both fists until they would slip to the canvas (usually very hurt). Jirov would amass an incredible record

of 207 wins against only 10 losses on his way to winning the Olympic Gold Medal in the light heavyweight division

at the 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta, and being awarded with the Val Barker Cup for Outstanding Boxer.

While in Atlanta, Jirov decided that he liked the United States well enough to live there,

and made his home in Scottsdale, Arizona, where he remains with his wife and son.

Jirov had an incredible beginning to his professional career. After turning professional

in January 1997, Jirov would quickly rise to the top, winning the cruiserweight title

from “King” Arthur Williams on a six round technical knockout. Jirov has left no doubts

in his next 6 fights since then, by winning them all by knockouts, including wins over

tough opposition like power puncher Julian Letterlough and tricky Jorge Castro.

Jirov has demonstrated that his record of 27-0 with 25 knockouts was not fashioned from fluff.

He has knocked out all of his number #1 challengers for his IBF Cruiserweight title

in brutal fashion. His opponents have all suffered terrible beatings, in which they

would ultimately quit when Jirov's punches would come crashing into their midsection.

The sound of his body punches is unforgettable. If you've seen him fight, then you

know what I'm talking about, as there is nothing like it. Nobody throws a body punch like Jirov.

Jirov met James Toney on April 26, 2003, and together they made for one of the most

exciting fights in recent memory. Toney would emerge the winner after scoring a last

second knockdown, but Jirov would gain a new level of respect among his peers.

He translated that respect into a big opportunity at heavyweight, taking on the undefeated

“Baby” Joe Mesi in March 2004. Although Jirov started slow, he came on strong late by

knocking Mesi down once in the ninth and twice in the tenth and final round, but came up

a point short on the scorecards. Had the fight been scheduled for twelve rounds, or even

for an additional five seconds, Jirov almost certainly would have pulled it out. It was not,

however, and Mesi took the decision.

Jirov is known as one of boxing’s tough guys, one who always applies heavy pressure and can punch

to the body with the best of anyone, breaking down the will and midsection of almost anyone he faces.

It cannot be denied now, in light of Jirov’s performances against Toney and Mesi that he can compete

in the heavyweight division. His toughness and determination make it a lock that he will not be an easy

mark, no matter who he is in against.

Jirov's former trainer, legend Emanuel Steward has been pleasantly surprised at his

boxing ability. Originally Steward was under the impression that Jirov was only a

murderous body puncher and knockout artist, but since he's taken over training he's

found out that Jirov is an excellent boxer. It seems that Jirov's previous trainer wanted

to turn him into a power puncher, so he took him away from the great boxing moves he

formerly possessed. Steward's plan now is to bring back these boxing techniques to Jirov

and get him away from just being a slugger.

Jirov has used an aggressive technique and devastating punching power to establish himself as one of the

best fighters in the world today in any division. He is especially noted for his vicious body attack, solid

chin, toughness, and excellent boxing skills.

Ring Record

2006
April 20	Luke Munsen	W 10	Worley, ID
2005
July 21	Orlin Norris	D PTS 10	Lemoore, CA
May 14	Troy Beets	W 10	Kinder, LA
April 7	Forrest Neal	W KO 3	Temechula, CA
2004
December 9	Michael Moorer	L TKO 9	Temechula, CA
March 13	Joe Mesi	L 10	Las Vegas
2003
November 6	Joseph Kiwanuka	W TKO 6	Phoenix, AZ	Captured NABO Cruiserweight Title
August 7	Ernest Mateen	W TKO 7	Temechula, CA
April 26	James Toney	L 12	Mashantucket, CT	Lost IBF Cruiserweight Title
2002
February 1	Jorge Castro	W 12	Phoenix, AZ	Retained IBF Cruiserweight Title
2001
September 8	Julian Letterlough	W TKO 8	Reno, NV	Retained IBF Cruiserweight Title
July 20	Adolpho Washington	W 10	Canton, OH
March 24	Terry McGroom	W TKO 1	Las Vegas, NV	Retained IBF Cruiserweight Title
February 6	Alex Gonzalez	W KO 1	Almaty, Kazakhstan	Retained IBF Cruiserweight Title
2000
July 29	Earl Butler	W KO 2	Phoenix, AZ
May 19	Esteban Pizarro	W KO 2	Beverly Hills, CA
March 25	Don Normand	W KO 1	Canyonville
February 12	Saul Montana	W TKO 9	Boise, ID	Retained IBF Cruiserweight Title
1999
September 18	Dale Brown	W TKO 10	Las Vegas, NV	Retained IBF Cruiserweight Title
June 5	Arthur Williams	W KO 7	Biloxi, MS	Captured IBF Cruiserweight Title
April 22	Maxime Onebo	W KO 5	Dallas, TX
March 6	Cesar Rendon	W KO 1	Indio, CA
1998
December 5	Alex Vassilev	W 8	Kiev, Ukraine
October 3	John Kiser	W KO 8	Las Vegas, NV
August 6	Cliff Nelson	W KO 3	Marksville
May 5	Rich Lamontagne	W 12	Biloxi, MS
March 14	Jason Waller	W KO 1	Atlantic City, NJ
February 10	Trent Surrett	W KO 2	Phoenix, AZ
January 23	Jason Nicholson	W TKO 2	Tunica, MS
1997
December 6	Arthur Jimmerson	W TKO 2	Atlantic City, NJ
October 18	Quentin Osgood	W TKO 1	Las Vegas, NV
September 12	Calvin Combs	W TKO 2	Las Vegas, NV
July 5	Dennis Matthews	W TKO 4	Lake Charles
May 31	Gesses Mesgana	W TKO 2	Atlantic City, NJ
April 12	Tyrone Armstead	W TKO 4	Las Vegas, NV
March 30	Calvin Smith	W TKO 1	Uncasville, CT
March 8	Aljenon DeBose	W TKO 3	Albuquerque, NM
February 12	Chuck Miller	W TKO 4	New York, NY
January 28	Exum Speight	W TKO 3	Tempe, AZ
January 18	Vinnie Brown	W TKO 2	Las Vegas, NV