Verno Phillips


Verno Jeremias Phillips is a Belizean former professional boxer who competed from 1988 to 2008. He is a three-time junior middleweight world champion, having held the World Boxing Organization title from 1993 to 1995, and the International Boxing Federation title twice in 2004 and 2008.

Professional career

Phillips turned professional in 1988 and captured the Vacant WBO light middleweight title in 1993 with a win over Lupe Aquino. He defended the title four times before losing a decision to the gifted Paul "Silky" Jones of England many people say this and the loss to Paul William's were Philips' only defeat. In 2004 Phillips captured the vacant IBF light middleweight title by beating Carlos Bojorquez via a TKO, but lost the belt in his next fight to Kassim Ouma. He lost his next bout to Ike Quartey, but in 2006 has rallied with wins over Juan Carlos Candelo and Teddy Reid, televised by ESPN.
On March 27, 2008, Phillips beat Cory Spinks by disputed split decision to regain the IBF light middleweight title. The announcer for donkingtv.com had scored the bout 119-110 for Spinks.
Philips signed to fight the young Paul Williams on November 29, 2008 on HBO for the vacant WBO interim light middleweight title, vacating his IBF title in the process. Phillips ended up losing the bout the after his cornerman, Trevor Wittman, stopped the fight at the end of the eighth round, resulting in only the second loss via TKO in his career.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
55Loss42–11–1 Paul WilliamsTKO8, 3:00Nov 29, 2008Citizens Business Bank Arena, Ontario, California, U.S.For vacant WBO interim light middleweight title
54Win42–10–1 Cory SpinksSD12Mar 27, 2008Scottrade Center, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.Won IBF light middleweight title
53Win41–10–1 Eduardo SanchezUD10Feb 16, 2007Wynn Las Vegas, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
52Win40–10–1 Teddy ReidTKO12, 2:04Aug 9, 2006Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, U.S.Won vacant TAB middleweight title
51Win39–10–1 Juan Carlos CandeloUD10Apr 5, 2006New Orleans Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
50Loss38–10–1 Ike QuarteyUD10Jun 18, 2005FedExForum, Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
49Loss38–9–1 Kassim OumaUD12Oct 2, 2004Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.Lost IBF light middleweight title
48Win38–8–1 Carlos Bojorquez6, 3:00Jun 5, 2004Leggett & Platt Athletic Center, Joplin, Missouri, U.S.Won vacant IBF light middleweight title
47Win37–8–1 Julio GarciaTKO1, 2:59Mar 5, 2004Pala Casino, Pala, California, U.S.
46Win36–8–1 Michael LermaUD10Sep 5, 2003Stardust Resort and Casino, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.
45Win35–8–1 Bronco McKartUD10Apr 25, 2003Thunderbird Wild West Casino, Norman, Oklahoma, U.S.
44Win34–8–1 Jose FloresUD10Dec 6, 2002Gund Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
43Win33–8–1 Tony BadeaTKO4, 3:00Jul 19, 2002Yakama Legends Casino, Toppenish, Washington, U.S.
42Win32–8–1 Christian Lloyd JosephTKO5 Mar 29, 2002Denver Coliseum, Denver, Colorado, U.S.Won vacant NBA light middleweight title
41Loss31–8–1 Kassim OumaUD10Sep 7, 2001Magic Casino, Hankinson, North Dakota, U.S.
40Win31–7–1 Vincent MosesKO5 Jun 30, 2000Denver Coliseum, Denver, Colorado, U.S.
39Win30–7–1 Julian JacksonKO9, 2:01Jan 23, 1998Grand Casino, Tunica, Mississippi, U.S.Retained WBU light middleweight title
38Win29–7–1 Godfrey NyakanaTKO11, 2:11Aug 29, 1997City Center, Saratoga Springs, New York, U.S.Retained WBU light middleweight title
37Win28–7–1 Gianfranco RosiMD12May 21, 1997Moat House Hotel, Liverpool, EnglandWon vacant WBU light middleweight title
36Win27–7–1 Darryl RuffinUD8Mar 14, 1997Pepsi Arena, Albany, New York, U.S.
35Loss26–7–1 Silvio BrancoUD12Feb 13, 1997Palazzetto dello Sport, Civitavecchia, ItalyFor WBU middleweight title
34Win26–6–1 Juan Italo MezaUD10Oct 4, 1996Salta, Argentina
33Loss25–6–1 Peter VenancioUD10Jun 25, 1996Community War Memorial, Rochester, New York, U.S.
32Loss25–5–1 Paul Jones12Nov 22, 1995Hillsborough Leisure Centre, Sheffield, EnglandLost WBO light middleweight title
3125–4–1 Gianfranco RosiUD12May 17, 1995PalaEvangelisti, Perugia, ItalyWBO light middleweight title at stake;
Originally a UD win for Rosi, later ruled an NC after he failed a drug test
30Win25–4–1Santos Cardona12Feb 3, 1995Fernwood Resort, Bushkill, Pennsylvania, U.S.Retained WBO light middleweight title
29Win24–4–1Santos CardonaUD12Nov 9, 1994Lakefront Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.Retained WBO light middleweight title
28Win23–4–1Jaime LlanesTKO7, 2:46Jul 25, 1994Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.Retained WBO light middleweight title
27Win22–4–1Lupe AquinoTKO7, 0:57Oct 30, 1993America West Arena, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.Won vacant WBO light middleweight title
26Win21–4–1Rafael WilliamsTKO5, 0:20May 28, 1993New York City, New York, U.S.Won New York light middleweight title
25Win20–4–1Michael WardUD10Dec 23, 1992Westchester County Center, White Plains, New York, U.S.
24Win19–4–1Ricardo Raul NunezKO6 May 22, 1992Salta, Argentina
23Win18–4–1Jose Luis SaldiviaKO2 Apr 24, 1992Salta, Argentina
22Win17–4–1Mario Alberto Gaston ChavezTKO6 Jan 24, 1992Vedia, Argentina
21Win16–4–1Victor Hugo MarinoKO7 Dec 7, 1991Estadio FAB, Buenos Aires, Argentina
20Win15–4–1Francisco Bernabe BobadillaKO2 Aug 16, 1991Salta, Argentina
19Win14–4–1Daniel Omar DominguezPTS10Jul 21, 1991Buenos Aires, Argentina
18Win13–4–1Julio César Vásquez6 Jun 14, 1991Mar del Plata, Argentina
17Draw12–4–1Ramon Anibal Jara10May 24, 1991Salta, Argentina
16Win12–4Marcelo Domingo Di CroceTKO8 Nov 23, 1990National Technological University Stadium, Santa Fe, Argentina
15Win11–4Hector Hugo Vilte4 Nov 16, 1990Salta, Argentina
14Win10–4Floyd PeavyTKO5, 1:55Sep 6, 1990Frear Park, Troy, New York, U.S.
13Win9–4Simon RengifoUD8Jun 28, 1990Albany, New York, U.S.
12Loss8–4Kenny GouldUD6Apr 29, 1990Broadway by the Bay Theater, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
11Win8–3Curtis SummitUD10Feb 12, 1990Westchester County Center, White Plains, New York, U.S.
10Loss7–3Larry BarnesUD8Jan 3, 1990Westchester County Center, White Plains, New York, U.S.
9Win7–2Clarence WhiteUD6Aug 8, 1989Bally's Park Place, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
8Win6–2Jose NievesTKO3Jun 24, 1989Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
7Win5–2Anthony RoriePTS4Mar 17, 1989Sheraton Hotel, Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.
6Loss4–2Carl SullivanUD8Sep 29, 1988Caesars Boardwalk Regency, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
5Loss4–1Carl SullivanTKO5Jul 30, 1988Broadway by the Bay Theater, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
4Win4–0Bill Robinson3May 17, 1988Sands, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
3Win3–0Chris RoyalPTS4Mar 30, 1988Saratoga Springs, New York, U.S.
2Win2–0Anthony Rorie4Feb 5, 1988Civic Center, Glens Falls, New York, U.S.
1Win1–0Manuel Braga Opher4Jan 23, 1988Broadway by the Bay Theater, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.