Former North American Boxing Organization (NABO) Lightweight Champion/
World Boxing Association (WBA) No. 5 & International Boxing Federation (IBF) No. 6 Contender
Born: June 28, 1978, Benton Harbor, Michigan
Height: 5'7"
FIGHTS: 23 WINS: 21 LOSSES: 2 DRAWS: 0 KOs: 11
Following seven years of getting his feet wet in this world, Courtney Burton first laced up the gloves at age eight under the guidance of trainer, Napolean Lark. Proving that loyalty still holds a place in the sweet science, the pair still work together 18 years later.
During an impressive amateur career, Burton compiled an 87-4 record and was a three-time Silver Gloves U.S. Champion, two-time Junior Olympic U.S. National Champion and a two-time International World Champion. In 1994, the decorated fighter won the 156-pound title and was voted "Outstanding Boxer of the Event" at the World Junior Olympics in Germany.
Once Burton had enough trophies, plaques and medals to fill a room, he quit boxing at age 16. Two years later, Burton returned, turned pro and tallied a four-round decision over Sam Mahmoud on July 19, 1996, in Waukegan, Ill.
Following a three-year sabbatical to finish his education, Burton showed no signs of rust when he registered a four-round victory over Nelson Hernandez on Sept. 11, 1999, in Laporte, Ind. Less than two months later on Oct. 29, 1999, the Michigan native closed out his second pro campaign by scoring an opening-round TKO over Julio Ibarra in Laporte.
After going 7-0 in 2000 and 5-0 in 2001 to run his record to 15-0, Burton opened 2002 by fighting to a first-round no contest against Danny Rios in Cincinnati, Ohio. Just as the two fighters began warming up, a nasty cut above Rios's eye opened. After the referee ruled it was from a clash of heads, the doctor halted the contest before three minutes had elapsed.
Following an eight-round win over David Gray on April 13, 2002, in Laporte, Ind., Burton lost for the first time on Nov. 7, 2002, when Eleazar Contreras scored a fifth-round knockout and captured the World Boxing Council (WBC)/Continental Americas 135-pound crown in New Orleans.
Undeterred by the setback, Burton opened the 2003 campaign by defeating standouts Rafael Ruelas and Angel Manfredy. He then finished a perfect season by winning the vacant North American Boxing Organization (NABO) lightweight title with a 12-round split decision over Francisco Lorenzo on Dec. 5 in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. The judges scored it 116-113 and 115-114 for Burton, 115-113 for Lorenzo.
In his 2004 debut, Burton dropped his second contest in three outings when Julio Diaz recorded an 11th-round knockout during an International Boxing Federation (IBF) 135-pound elimination bout on March 19 in San Diego, Calif.
Diaz controlled the action early by outboxing Burton with stiff left jabs. After Burton rallied in the later rounds, Diaz nailed his opponent with a crushing right hand to the chin, a stunning left hook and one more searing right cross to the face to end the fight in the 11th.
Most recently, Burton faced Emanuel Burton (no relation) on July 6, 2004. Courtney won the "Battle of the Burtons" by recording a 10-round split decision in Muskegon, Mich. Two judges scored it 99-90 and 97-92 for Courtney, while the other had it 98-94 for Emanuel.
Courtney Burton has battled tough competition lately and is a better boxer for it.
"The last few years, I have faced some real challenges," Burton said. "But, I have gotten better with each fight and I really feel comfortable out there now."
COURTNEY BURTON
21-2,
11 KOs
1996
July 19 SAM MAHMOUD, Waukegan, IL...................................................... W............................. 4 148
1999
Sept. 11 NELSON
HERNANDEZ, Laporte, IN.................................................... W............................. 4 139
Oct. 29 JULIO
IBARRA, Laporte, IN.............................................................. TKO............................. 1 138
2000
Jan. 15 ANTHONY
COBB, Laporte, IN.............................................................. W............................. 4 138
Feb. 6 HENRY
COKES, Elgin, IL...................................................................... KO............................. 2 138
Mar. 24 TED
WORTH, Laporte, IN...................................................................... W............................. 6 142
Apr. 30 VANCE
THOMPSON, Elgin,
IL......................................................... TKO............................. 3 143
May 26 NELSON
HERNANDEZ, Laporte, IN................................................ TKO............................. 3 135
Sept. 9 REGGIE
SANDERS, Laporte, IN............................................................ W............................. 6 134
Dec. 16 DAVID
TURNER, Laporte, IN................................................................ W........................... 10 135
2001
Feb. 10 ANDRE
LOVETT, La porte, IN............................................................. KO............................. 1 142
Apr. 28 ELVESTO
MILLS, Laporte, IN........................................................... TKO............................. 2 135
June 9 GENE
VASSAR, Laporte, IN.............................................................. TKO............................. 1 138
Nov. 24 DAN
BOSTIC, Laporte, IN................................................................. TKO............................. 5 134
Dec. 2 ALEJANDRO
JIMENEZ, Elgin, IL......................................................... W............................. 6 143
2002
Feb. 24 DANNY
RIOS, Cincinnati,
OH.............................................................. NC............................. 1 135
Apr. 13 DAVID
GRAY, Laporte, IN..................................................................... W............................. 8 142
Nov. 7 ELEAZAR
CONTRERAS, New Orleans, LA................................ KOBY............................. 5 135
2003
Feb. 10 TOMAS
BARRIENTES, Durant, OK................................................... KO............................. 1 136
Mar. 24 GABRIEL
RUELAS, Lafayette, LA................................................... TKO............................. 8 136
July 29 ANGEL
MANFREDY, Hammond, IN.................................................. KO............................. 8 137
Dec. 5 FRANCISCO
LORENZO, St. Thomas, Virgin
Islands........................ W........................... 12 135
2004
Mar. 19 JULIO
DIAZ, San Diego, CA.......................................................... KOBY........................... 11 134
July 6 EMANUEL
BURTON, Muskegon,
MI................................................. W........................... 10 140
