Buster Mathis, Jr.
| Buster Mathis Jr. | |
|---|---|
| Statistics | |
| Real name | Buster DAmato Mathis |
| Weight(s) | Heavyweight |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) |
| Reach | 75" (191cm) |
| Nationality | American |
| Born |
March 25, 1970 Grand Rapids, Michigan |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 23 |
| Wins | 21 |
| Wins by KO | 7 |
| Losses | 2 |
| Draws | 0 |
| No contests | 0 |
Buster Mathis Jr. (born March 25, 1970 in East Grand Rapids, Michigan), is an American former professional boxer in the heavyweight division.
The son of Buster Mathis, a heavyweight boxer from the 1960s, who left his son a great legacy, being invited to the Olympics, and was a contender with boxing champions such as Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. Mathis Jr. was a heavy man and took up boxing because he was bullied as a child until the age of 14, and also for the benefit of losing extra weight.
Mathis Jr. turned pro in 1991 and quickly put together 12 wins. A busy, crowding fighter, Mathis was small for a heavyweight at around 220 lbs but skilled enough to beat fairly respected fighters like Levi Billups, Justin Fortune and Mike Dixon very early in his career. Buster Mathis encouraged his son to fewer higher paying fights, using the Mathis name to his advantage. He was considered a weak puncher (3 KO's in those 12 fights) but his opposition was above average.
In 1993 he challenged Mike 'The Bounty' Hunter (23-3) for his USBA heavyweight belt. Hunter won a close decision over Mathis. The loss however was soon voided after Hunter later tested positive for cocaine.
In 1994 Mathis again contested the USBA belt (stripped from Hunter), this time winning an impressive 12 round decision over ex-Olympic champion Tyrell Biggs (27-7).
In August of that year Mathis was brought in as the comeback opponent for former undisputed champion Riddick Bowe. After a good effort bobbing and weaving out of the way of Bowe's best shots, Mathis began to fall behind and took a knee in the fourth. Bowe knocked Mathis out while he was on the floor, yet instead of being disqualified, referee Arthur Mercante Sr. and New Jersey commission boss Larry Hazzard agreed to void the contest.
In 1995 Mathis retained his USBA belt with a point win over contender Alex Garcia, thus setting up a fight with Mike Tyson. This was Tyson's second fight since being released from prison earlier in the year.
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