Don Diego Poeder
| Don Diego Poeder | |
|---|---|
Poeder in 2007
|
|
| Statistics | |
| Real name | Don Diego Rivelino Alfredo Poeder |
| Weight(s) | Heavyweight |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) |
| Reach | 78 in (198 cm) |
| Nationality | Dutch |
| Born |
3 April 1972 (age 45) Rotterdam, Netherlands |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 33 |
| Wins | 27 |
| Wins by KO | 20 |
| Losses | 6 |
| Draws | 0 |
Don Diego Rivelino Alfredo Poeder (born 3 April 1972) is a former Dutch professional boxer. He is known as the only Dutch professional boxer that won a world title as a professional undefeated.
Poeder was born on the 3rd of April 1972 in Rotterdam. He grew up in Spangen neighbourhood in Rotterdam and later moved to Westkruiskade same city.
In his early years, Poeder had a normal life but devoid of physical and sport related activities. This combined with excessive eating lead Poeder to childhood obesity weighting 115 kg (253 pounds) at the age of 16.
Being aware of the risks associated with obesity Poeder decides in 1988 at the age of 16 to embrace sport in order to get out of his condition. He found kickboxing interesting and sought to join a kickboxing school in Rotterdam.
Poeder joined the kickboxing school "Silent Dragon Holland" in 1988 having as a trainer Enric Gunning, the bronze medal winner at the first world kickboxing championship W.A.K.O. World Championships in 1978.
During his time at "Silent Dragon Holland" he realized that kickboxing was too demanding for his weak knees. Poeder received later corrective surgery on his knee. Gunning sees the potential in Poeder and accepted to train him for boxing. His training here lasted until 1991. During this time Gunning organized 3 boxing matches for Poeder. Poeder fought in an amateur boxing competition in the heavyweight class.
Poeder ended up in the Hoboken boxing school (renamed Leon's Boxing Gym) - school owned by former Dutch professional boxer Aad Jansen – triple Dutch champion at welterweight. During his years at the Hoboken boxing school Poeder had the chance to train directly with the experienced Aad Jansen - his first official boxing trainer and Wim van Klaveren (brother of Bep van Klaveren - the only Dutch boxer to have won an Olympic gold medal ). Poeder remained for a period of 2 years at Hoboken boxing school with approximately 15 matches as amateur. While training at Hoboken, Poeder became the Dutch champion at amateur boxing, heavyweight category in 1992.
One year later in 1993 Poeder repeated his performance and won for the second time the Dutch title as an amateur at heavyweight category. This time Poeder trained at the boxing school Boxing'82 Rotterdam under the guidance of the trainer Frans van den Heerik.
Poeder made his international debut in 1993 at European Amateur Boxing Championships in Bursa, Turkey and his performance resulted in a silver medal for The Netherlands. In the fight for the silver medal at the heavyweight category he knocked out Danny Williams in the first round.
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