John David Jackson (boxer)


John David Jackson is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1984 to 1999, and has since worked as a boxing trainer. He is a two-weight world champion, having held the WBO junior middleweight title twice between 1988 and 1993, and the WBA middleweight title from 1993 to 1994.

Professional career

Jackson turned professional in 1984 and won his first 20 fights. He won the inaugural WBO junior middleweight title in 1988 with a win over Lupe Aquino. He defended the title six times before moving up to middleweight in 1993 to take on WBA middleweight champion Reggie Johnson, winning a close decision.
After being stripped of his WBA title in August 1994, Jackson lost in an attempt to regain the belt in December of that year to Jorge Castro via 9th-round TKO, in a fight that was named Fight of the Year by Ring Magazine. On the verge of forcing a referee's stoppage against the badly beaten up Castro, Jackson was caught and knocked down by a left hook, then stopped after two further knockdowns. The sudden change in fortunes was one of the greatest turnarounds ever seen in a boxing match.
In 1997 he took on Bernard Hopkins for the IBF middleweight title. In an ugly fight in which Jackson looked a faded fighter, Hopkins won via a 7th-round TKO. Jackson took a rematch with Castro in 1998, but again came up short in losing a decision. He retired in 1999.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
41Win36–4 Dave BooneTKO2Sep 25, 1999 Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, U.S.
40Loss35–4 Jorge CastroUD10Feb 20, 1998 Cipolletti, ArgentinaFor vacant WBA Fedelatin super middleweight title
39Loss35–3 Bernard HopkinsTKO7, 2:22Apr 19, 1997 Municipal Memorial Auditorium, Shreveport, Louisiana, U.S.For IBF middleweight title
38Loss35–2 Abdullah Ramadan10Nov 20, 1996 War Memorial Auditorium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S.
37Win35–1 Augustine RenteriaUD10Jun 29, 1996 Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S.
36Win34–1 Guy StanfordUD10Dec 16, 1995 CoreStates Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
35Win33–1 James GreenUD8Apr 29, 1995 USAir Arena, Landover, Maryland, U.S.
34Loss32–1 Jorge CastroTKO9, 2:34Dec 10, 1994 Estadio de Béisbol, Monterrey, MexicoFor WBA middleweight title
33Win32–0 Danny GarciaKO7 Sep 24, 1994 Bally's Park Place, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
32Win31–0 Jeff JohnsonRTD7, 3:00May 6, 1994 Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
31Win30–0 Reggie JohnsonUD12Oct 1, 1993 Estadio Obras Sanitarias, Buenos Aires, ArgentinaWon WBA middleweight title
30Win29–0 Charles LaCourTKO3 Sep 3, 1993 Tucson, Arizona, U.S.
29Win28–0 Michele MastrodonatoTKO10, 1:14Dec 19, 1992 Palasport comunale Falcone e Borsellino, San Severo, ItalyRetained WBO junior middleweight title
28Win27–0 Sergio MedinaUD10Oct 22, 1992 Marriott Hotel, Irvine, California, U.S.
27Win26–0 Eric MartinUD10Sep 19, 1992 Pacific Sports Center, Tacoma, Washington, U.S.
26Win25–0 Pat LawlorRTD9, 3:00Jun 9, 1992 Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, U.S.Retained WBO junior middleweight title
25Win24–0 Tyrone TriceUD12Jul 21, 1991 Race Course, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Retained WBO junior middleweight title
24Win23–0 Joaquin VelasquezUD10May 10, 1991 Central Civic Center, Lewiston, Maine, U.S.
23Win22–0 Chris PyattUD12Oct 23, 1990 Granby Halls, Leicester, EnglandWon vacant WBO junior middleweight title
22Win21–0 Brinatty MaquilonUD10Jul 24, 1990 Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
2120–0 Martin CamaraNC11 Feb 17, 1990 Hotel Deauville, Châtillon, FranceWBO junior middleweight title at stake;
NC after an incorrect referee call
20Win20–0 Ruben VillamanKO2 Dec 1, 1989 Ramada Inn, Tucson, Arizona, U.S.
19Win19–0 Steve LittleTKO8, 0:38Apr 22, 1989 The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.Retained WBO junior middleweight title
18Win18–0 Lupe Aquino7, 3:00Dec 8, 1988 Cobo Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.Won vacant WBO junior middleweight title
17Win17–0 Aniseto RamosTKO4Oct 7, 1988 The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.
16Win16–0 Davey MooreUD10Jul 21, 1987 Steel Pier, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
15Win15–0 Sidney OutlawTKO6, 2:04Jan 13, 1987 The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.Won vacant Pennsylvania light middleweight title
14Win14–0 Johnny Banks WalkerKO1Nov 25, 1986 Broadway by the Bay Theater, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
13Win13–0 Tony OjoTKO3, 1:13Oct 28, 1986 Betsy Ross Inn, Pennsauken, New Jersey, U.S.
12Win12–0 Milton LeaksUD8Jul 31, 1986 Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
11Win11–0 Mike CastronovaTKO1Jun 14, 1986 Governor Mifflin Intermediate School Gym, Shillington, Pennsylvania, U.S.
10Win10–0 Orlando MontalvoKO2, 0:52Feb 25, 1986 Tropicana, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
9Win9–0 Vincent MaysTKO5, 2:15Sep 4, 1985 Steel Pier, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
8Win8–0 Robert ThomasUD8Jul 18, 1985 Golden Eagle Caterers, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
7Win7–0 Billy JoeTKO1, 2:31Jun 13, 1985 Steel Pier, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
6Win6–0 Gary Tibbs4, 0:45Mar 20, 1985 Sands, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
5Win5–0 Felipe MontellanoUD6Oct 17, 1984 Broadway by the Bay Theater, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
4Win4–0 Louis Owens6Jun 26, 1984 Tropicana, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
3Win3–0 Robert Thomas6May 10, 1984 J&A Caterers, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
2Win2–0 Keith ToddKO3Apr 11, 1984 Catholic Youth Center, Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S.
1Win1–0 Kimbrady Carriker1 Mar 11, 1984 Sands, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.

Training career

After his professional boxing career ended, Jackson has worked as a trainer. Boxers he has worked with include: