Virgil Hill: North Dakota Contribution of Boxing History

By Tom Donelson

07.07 - Virgil Hill recent fight with Donnie "The Golden Boy" Lalonde was a typical Hill fight. Hill pecked and peppered Lalonde, marking up Lalonde face. There were times in the fight that Lalonde appeared shaken and ready to fall after feeling the effects of Hill's clubbing right hand. Hill, like he has done since 1984, was content to win an easy decision.

Hill has been one of boxing least appreciated fighter. Hill began his career in 1984 and after winning nearly 300 amateur fights, Hill's professional career followed the success of his amateur career. Hill won his first championship in 1987 and for the next decade and half, Hill has been near the top of both the light heavyweight and Cruiserweight divisions. He fought many of the better fighters of his generation including Frankie Tate, Bobby Czyz, Thomas Hearns, Dariusz Michalczewski, and Roy Jones, Jr.

A friend of mine who knew Hill once told me that his right hand was underrated and for some reason, he never took full advantage of it in fights. Except in the Fabrice Tiozzo cruiserweight fight. The French fighter had previously lost to Hill seven years earlier in a light heavyweight fight and now wanted revenge. Hill, as he done over his career, went into Tiozzo's backyard to fight for Tiozzo's championship belt. Hill clubbed Tiozzo with his underrated right and Tiozzo was out on his feet in just one round.

Hill own place in boxing's history is defined three fights, all in which he lost. In 1991, Tommy Hearns challenged Hill for Hill's light heavyweight title. Hearns out boxed the boxer and Hill lost his title and his first fight. Hill later would admit that he gave Hearns too much respect and Hearns took advantage.

His second defeat was at the hand of Dariusz Michalczewski, who also took a decision. Hill just defeated German light heavyweight Maske and he once again went to Germany to defend his title. Michalczewski out boxed Hill and Hill later stated that he could have boxed better and did not use all of his skills to its advantage. Hill told an interviewer once that he would love to have these two fights back.

The most devastating lost was to Roy Jones, Jr. Hill came into this fight with confidence and as one of the premier light heavyweights, Hill felt he could outmaneuvered the quicker Jones. The first three rounds were close as Hill's left jab allowed him to stay in the fight. In the fourth round, Jones faked a left hook and nailed Hill with the perfect right hand to the ribs. Hill collapsed with broken ribs.

With a victory in one or two of these fights, Hill could have claimed a mantle of greatness but instead he slipped under the radar screen. Another thing that hurt Hill was his style of fighting. Hill was boxer who was content with just boxing and jabbing as Hill could win a fight with just using his jab against most of his opponent. Hill lived by the theory that is better to avoid being hit and stay out of trouble than sit and fight toe to toe. Hill's style of fighting can be boring for many boxing fans, who don't appreciate the fine art of defense. His fight with Lalonde was the perfect example of Hill's style and skills. Hill hit Lalonde with nearly half of his punches while Lalonde missed on at least three of his four punches headed in Hill's direction. Hill's mobility allowed him to escape any serious damage and Hill could have danced, moved and jab all night- even at 39 years.

Hill is now in the twilight of his career and there is no telling how much time he has a fighter but throughout his career, he avoided those nasty wars that shorten careers. His style gave him longevity. What can we say about Hill? Simple, nearly half of Hill's fights were championship fights and he won 24 of these battles. So he was a championship fighter. While the light heavyweights was considered a weaker division in the 90's as oppose to the late 70's and early 80's, Hill was one of the better light heavyweights who beat almost all of the good light heavyweights. Losing to Roy Jones, Jr. is no disgrace and Tommy Hearns was one of the top five fighters over the past quarter century. So Hill will not remembered as one of the greatest but he was a true professional and winning nearly 25 championship bouts is a great accomplishment in its own right.