Jeremy Bates (boxer)

Jeremy Bates (born January 12, 1974 in Argillite, Kentucky) is an American heavyweight boxer. Nicknamed "The Beast", Bates was a moderately successful fighter who fought several other journeyman fighters of his era. Bates has become something of a "comeback" opponent for veteran fighters such as Holyfield, Golota, and Meehan.

Professional boxing career

Early career

Bates turned professional in 1999 and fought mainly journeyman fighters, losing to prospect Andre Purlette in 2001. Bates later lost to Sedreck Fields, Kirk Johnson, Leo Nolan, Brian Minto, and Ray Austin before his first retirement.

The Holyfield fight

Bates was persuaded to postpone his retirement when he was given an opportunity to fight four time heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield. On August 18, 2006 in a 10-round bout at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, the 44-year-old Holyfield dominated the fight which was stopped in the second round after Holyfield landed about 20 consecutive punches on Bates. The events prior too, and the fight itself are documented in Evander Holyfields new book "Becoming Holyfield".

Retirement from boxing

Bates retired with a record of 21 wins, 13 losses and 1 draw, with 18 wins by knockout. Post boxing, Bates began a successful career as a full-time insurance sales professional. Bates is currently employed at the United States Enrichment Corporation. (USEC) is a Uranium gaseous diffusion plant in Portsmouth OH.

Coming out of retirement

Bates would come out of retirement to face Guillermo Jones, Andrew Golota, Odlanier Solis, Kevin Rainey, and most recently Kali Meehan. All of those fights, with the exception of Bates' bout with Kevin Rainey, would be losses. Currently, Bates' record stands at 23 wins, 17 losses and 1 draw, with 19 wins by knockout.

Professional boxing record

23 Wins (19 knockouts, 4 decisions), 17 Losses (12 knockouts, 4 decisions, 1 disqualification), 1 Draw[1]
Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Rd., Time	Date	Location	Notes
Win	23-17-1	Justin Riegle	TKO	1 (4), 1:03	July 30, 2011	Cannonsburg, KY
Loss	22-17-1	Siarhei Liakhovich	TKO	1 (8), 2:11	November 7, 2009	Nuremberg, Germany
Loss	22-16-1	Kali Meehan	TKO	3 (10), 1:16	February 16, 2008	Nuremberg, Germany
Win	22-15-1	Kevin Rainey	Unanimous decision	4	January 18, 2008	Somerset, KY
Loss	21-15-1	Odlanier Solís	TKO	2 (8), 0:18	October 19, 2007	Berlin, Germany
Loss	21-14-1	Andrzej Gołota	TKO	2 (10), 2:59	June 9, 2007	Katowice, Poland
Loss	21-13-1	Guillermo Jones	TKO	1 (8), 1:44	January 6, 2007	Hollywood, FL
Loss	21-12-1	Evander Holyfield	TKO	2 (10), 2:56	August 18, 2006	Dallas, TX
Loss	21-11-1	Ray Austin	TKO	2 (10), 1:17	April 1, 2006	Cleveland, OH
Loss	21-10-1	Zack Page	Unanimous decision	8	December 9, 2005	Wheeling, WV
Win	21-9-1	Jason Waller	Unanimous decision	8	October 14, 2005	Wheeling, WV
Win	20-9-1	Travis Fulton	TKO	1 (8)	August 12, 2005	Wheeling, WV
Loss	19-9-1	Jason Waller	Unanimous decision	6	May 24, 2005	Woodlawn, MD
Win	19-8-1	Carlton Johnson	Unanimous decision	8	April 22, 2005	Wheeling, WV
Win	18-8-1	Kevin Tallon	Unanimous decision	4	June 25, 2004	Wheeling, WV
Loss	17-8-1	Brian Minto	TKO	8 (10), 2:56	April 23, 2004	Wheeling, WV	Vacant West Virginia Heavyweight title on the line.
Win	17-7-1	Jeff Lally	KO	2	January 18, 2004	West Virginia
Loss	16-7-1	Leo Nolan	TKO	4 (8)	June 13, 2003	Detroit, MI	Corner retirement.
Win	16-6-1	Rodney Phillips	TKO	1	March 29, 2003	Parkersburg, WV
Loss	15-6-1	Kirk Johnson	KO	2 (8), 2:59	December 7, 2002	Las Vegas, NV
Win	15-5-1	Mark Johnson	TKO	4 (4), 0:00	July 12, 2002	Lexington, KY	Corner retirement.
Loss	14-5-1	Willie Phillips	TKO	6 (8), 1:41	June 11, 2002	Chester, WV
Win	14-4-1	Scott Hosaflook	TKO	1	June 1, 2002	Morgantown, WV
Loss	13-4-1	David McNemar	Majority decision	12	April 20, 2002	Parkersburg, WV	Scoring was 118-110 and 116-112 in favor of McNemar, and a 114-114 draw.
Loss	13-3-1	Sedreck Fields	Disqualification	4 (5), 1:11	January 30, 2002	Miami Beach, FL	Bates was disqualified for flagrant headbutting.
Loss	13-2-1	Andre Purlette	TKO	2 (12), 1:29	October 5, 2001	Miami Beach, FL	Vacant NABO Heavyweight title on the line.
Win	13-1-1	Jimmy Haynes	KO	1 (6), 2:00	September 28, 2001	Lexington, KY
Win	12-1-1	Gerald Moore	KO	1	August 25, 2001	Beckley, WV
Win	11-1-1	Carlton Johnson	KO	1	August 14, 2001	Chester, WV
Win	10-1-1	Jorel Mann	TKO	1	July 28, 2001	Huntington, WV
Win	9-1-1	Mike Sheppard	TKO	1	June 9, 2001	Parkersburg, WV
Win	8-1-1	Antonio Colbert	TKO	1 (4), 2:10	April 19, 2001	Lexington, KY
Win	7-1-1	David Johnson	KO	1 (4), 1:50	March 30, 2001	Lexington, KY
Draw	6-1-1	Chad Van Sickle	Draw	4	March 1, 2001	Lexington, KY
Win	6–1	Elmer Coles	TKO	1	January 20, 2001	Huntington, WV
Win	5–1	George Randolph	TKO	1	December 9, 2000	Huntington, WV
Win	4–1	Thomas Dixon	TKO	3	September 16, 2000	Huntington, WV
Win	3–1	Mario Hereford	KO	2	August 26, 2000	Gallatin, TN
Win	2–1	Kanovas Alexander	TKO	1	June 8, 2000	Barboursville, WV
Loss	1–1	Tim Knight	Unanimous decision	4	March 22, 2000	Louisville, KY
Win	1–0	Reggie Strickland	TKO	1 (4)	November 10, 1999	Chester, WV

Professional wrestling

Bates made his professional wrestling debut on November 15, 2008 in Ashland, Kentucky at Ohio Championship Wrestling's November Reign, where he defeated Vinnie Viagra. He defeated "The Driller" Eddie Browning on December 13 at OCW's Season's Beatings.

Bates got his third victory at OCW on January 10, 2009 at the New Year's Bash by defeating NWA All-Star Wrestling Heavyweight Champion "Pretty Boy" Stan Lee. Bates made his wrestling debut at an arena where he is undefeated in the boxing ranks, the Veterans Memorial Fieldhouse in Huntington, West Virginia, at 304 Wrestling's Battlefront. He defeated Vinnie Viagra in that outing.

Bates is now in training to fight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. His progress is being documented in a YouTube series called "Being the Beast". The videos are available for viewing at www.youtube.com/user/beast0107.

References

External links

• Professional boxing record for Jeremy Bates from BoxRec
• ESPN Article on Bates