Steve Little (boxer)

Steve Little (June 9, 1965 – January 30, 2000) was an American former professional boxer who competed from 1983 to 1998, having held the WBA super middleweight champion in 1994. He is best known for his victories over Pipino Cuevas and Michael Nunn.

Steve Little
Statistics
Real nameSteven K. Little
Nickname(s)Lightning
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Reach72 in (183 cm)
NationalityAmerican
Born(1965-06-09)June 9, 1965
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedJanuary 30, 2000(2000-01-30) (aged 34)
West Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S.
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights45
Wins25
Wins by KO6
Losses17
Draws3

Amateur boxing career

Little won 228 of 265 amateur bouts and fought in eight amateur weight classes, ranging from 80 pounds (36 kg) to 156 pounds (71 kg).[1]

Professional boxing career

Little turned professional in 1983 and while he won his first four bouts, he soon started compiling losses including to former WBC light middleweight champion Terry Norris.[2] Even with a mediocre record, he fought for the WBO light-middleweight title against John David Jackson in 1989. He lost by a technical knockout. He retired for a short time after that fight.

In 1994 he scored an upset victory over Lineal and WBA super-middleweight champion Michael Nunn by split decision in London. He lost the belt in his first defense to Frankie Liles, losing a decision. Although he later fought James Toney and Arthur Williams, he never fought for another major title.

Besides being a professional boxer, Little also sold used cars in Reading.

Little retired in 1998 and died from colon cancer in 2000, at the young age of 34. He left behind a wife and six children.[3][4]

Professional boxing record
45 fights 25 wins 17 losses
By knockout 6 3
By decision 19 14
Draws 3
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
45 Draw 25–17–3 Courtney Butler SD 8 Nov 3, 1998 Martin's West, Woodlawn, Maryland, U.S.
44 Loss 25–17–2 Ivan Camacho PTS 6 Oct 16, 1998 Aalborghallen, Aalborg, Denmark
43 Loss 25–16–2 Arthur Williams UD 12 Sep 9, 1997 Fernwood Resort, Bushkill, Pennsylvania, U.S. For IBF–USBA cruiserweight title
42 Win 25–15–2 Andre Sherro KO 3 (?) Aug 24, 1997 Riveredge Restaurant, Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S.
41 Loss 24–15–2 James Toney UD 12 Jun 14, 1997 Grand Casino Biloxi, Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S. For IBO cruiserweight title
40 Win 24–14–2 Joaquin Velasquez UD 12 Aug 30, 1996 Municipal Stadium, Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S. Won IBC super middleweight title
39 Win 23–14–2 Camilo Alarcon UD 12 Mar 23, 1996 Miami Arena, Miami, Florida, U.S. Won WBC FECARBOX super middleweight title
38 Loss 22–14–2 Frankie Liles UD 12 Aug 12, 1994 Club Defensores de Villa Lujan, San Miguel de Tucuman, Argentina Lost WBA super middleweight title
37 Win 22–13–2 Michael Nunn SD 12 Feb 26, 1994 Earls Court Exhibition Centre, Kensington, London, U.S. Won WBA super middleweight title
36 Win 21–13–2 Anthony Williams UD 8 Dec 4, 1992 Merv's Griffin Resorts, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
35 Win 20–13–2 Hector Rosario UD 10 Sep 14, 1992 Outdoor Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
34 Draw 19–13–2 Merqui Sosa SD 10 Jan 31, 1992 The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
33 Win 19–13–1 Tyrone Frazier SD 12 Sep 23, 1991 The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,, U.S. Won Pennsylvania State super middleweight title
32 Win 18–13–1 Michael Dale UD 10 Jul 1, 1991 Cheyney University Gym, Cheyney, Pennsylvania, U.S.
31 Loss 17–13–1 Adam Garland MD 10 May 20, 1991 Birgwood Manor, Whippany, New Jersey, U.S.
30 Win 17–12–1 Mike Brown TKO 10 (?) Jan 26, 1991 Reading High School, Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S.
29 Loss 16–12–1 Tyrone Frazier SD 10 Sep 17, 1990 The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. Won Pennsylvania super middleweight title
28 Loss 16–11–1 John David Jackson TKO 8 (12), 0:38 Apr 22, 1989 The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S. For WBO light middleweight title
27 Loss 16–10–1 Dave Hilton Jr. UD 10 Mar 14, 1989 Resorts Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
26 Loss 16–9–1 Terry Norris TKO 6 (12), 1:06 Dec 9, 1988 Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. For WBC–NABF light middleweight title
25 Win 16–8–1 Jerry Williams UD 10 Aug 27, 1988 Reading Municipal Stadium, Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S.
24 Loss 15–8–1 Robert Hines UD 12 Apr 21, 1988 Resorts Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. For IBF–USBA light middleweight title
23 Win 15–7–1 Ismael Negron UD 10 Dec 23, 1987 Resorts Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
22 Loss 14–7–1 David Gutierrez UD 10 Sep 3, 1987 Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
21 Loss 14–6–1 Tyrone Trice UD 10 Aug 6, 1987 Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
20 Win 14–5–1 Norberto Bueno UD 10 Feb 21, 1987 Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
19 Win 13–5–1 David Braxton UD 10 Aug 12, 1986 Hart Plaza, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
18 Win 12–5–1 Pipino Cuevas UD 10 Mar 3, 1986 ARCO Arena, Sacramento, California, U.S.
17 Loss 11–5–1 Hugh Kearney MD 12 Jan 14, 1986 The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. For Pennsylvania welterweight title
16 Loss 11–4–1 Glenn Wolfe RTD 8 (10), 3:00 Sep 18, 1985 Egypt Shrine Temple, Tampa, Florida, U.S.
15 Win 11–3–1 Sanford Ricks SD 10 Jun 30, 1985 Essex Racquet Club, West Orange, New Jersey, U.S.
14 Draw 10–3–1 Joe Walker PTS 8 Jun 4, 1985 Tropicana Atlantic City, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
13 Loss 10–3 Mark Breland UD 6 Apr 6, 1985 Coliseum, San Angelo, Texas, U.S.
12 Win 10–2 Junie Nash UD 6 Feb 23, 1985 Sands Atlantic City, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
11 Win 9–2 Glenn Wolfe UD 8 Feb 5, 1985 Atlantis Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
10 Win 8–2 Harold Whitfield SD 6 Dec 12, 1984 Harrah's Marina, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
9 Win 7–2 John Herbert UD 6 Oct 31, 1984 Harrah's Atlantic, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
8 Win 6–2 Bob Saxton TKO 4 (6), 1:44 Oct 5, 1984 Sheraton Berkshire Inn, Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S.
7 Loss 5–2 Joe Summers MD 6 Sep 18, 1984 Tropicana Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
6 Loss 5–1 Tony Montgomery UD 6 May 30, 1984 Harrah's Marina, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
5 Win 5–0 Charlie Smith KO 4 (6) Apr 25, 1984 Harrah's Marina, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
4 Win 4–0 Buddy Randolph TKO 2 (4) Apr 7, 1984 Sands, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
3 Win 3–0 James Morgan UD 4 Feb 22, 1984 Harrah's Marina, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
2 Win 2–0 Greg Tutt SD 4 Feb 3, 1984 Holiday Inn West, Allentown, Pennsylvania, U.S.
1 Win 1–0 Gregory Girolami TKO 2 (4), 0:35 Dec 13, 1983 Tropicana, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.

Championship titles held
  • Pennsylvania State - Super Middleweight (1991)
  • Lineal - Super Middleweight (1994)
  • WBA - Super Middleweight (1994)
  • WBC FECARBOX - Super Middleweight (1996)
  • IBC - Super Middleweight (1996)

See also

References
  1. Seltzer, Robert (August 1994), "A Dream Fulfilled: Little Proves Better than Nunn", World Boxing
  2. "Terry Norris of San Diego stopped Steve Little, of..." United Press International. Retrieved 2023-07-29.
  3. "Former WBA champ Little dies of cancer". ESPN. Retrieved 2023-07-29.
  4. "FORMER WBA CHAMPION STEVE LITTLE DIES OF ..." The Morning Call. February 2000. Retrieved 2023-07-29.
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