Michael Gibbons

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Michael "The Godfather" Gibbons (born September 23, 1978 in Midfield) is a left-handed lightweight prizefighter. He is the reigning Southern Championship Boxing Council Junior Welterweight Champion and won the 2006 Alabama State Golden Gloves 132-pound open division championship.

Gibbons was turned onto the sport in high school when he saw Pernell Whitaker fight Buddy McGirt on HBO (October 1, 1994). He began collecting fight tapes emulating what he saw. He graduated from Midfield High School in 1996 and trained locally until his coaches' houses were destroyed by the 1998 Oak Grove tornado.

He continued fighting in "Tough Man" competitions while a student at UAB and for a semester of law school. He worked in local advertising firms and soon joined up with boxing coaches Curt McGune and Jake Guercio of Champions Boxing and Fitness in Pelham and began boxing on the amateur circuit. He was co-champion of the Alabama Golden Gloves 141-pound class in 2004 and won the 141-pound novice division championship of the Southeastern Association two years later, having compiled an 18-3 amateur record.

In late 2006 Gibbons relocated to Brooklyn, New York to train at the legendary Gleason's Gym. He trained there with Darius Forde and sparred with fighters from Lennox Blackmoore's stable. Working to begin his professional career, Gibbons landed a slot against Kevin Huddleston in an undercard fight in Tunica, Mississippi on April 28, 2007. He returned to Alabama to prepare for the bout, only to have Huddleston withdraw.

He ended up making his debut on September 14 against Corey Frizzell at the National Guard Armory in Columbia, Tennessee. Gibbons dominated the four-round fight and began preparing for a December 4 card in Memphis. That fight was canceled. He next defeated Josh Welch on January 26, 2008 in an unsanctioned bout at the Birmingham Race Course.

Gibbons followed that with a 4-round decision over 8-2 Anthony Middlebrooks of Tuscaloosa, also at the Race Course. After 3 wins and no losses, Gibbons became the Southern Championship Boxing Council Junior Welterweight Champion. In June he defeated Leo Perez by unanimous decision during a World Wide Boxing event in Bay St Louis, Mississippi.

On November 1, Gibbons claimed another victory by decision against Michael Williams in West Memphis, Arkansas. He lost the rematch against Williams at the Birmingham Race Course on February 27, 2008. A "Revenge at the Race Course" bout was scheduled for June 26, but Williams pulled out of the fight. Gibbons instead fought Andrew Costa of Columbia, Tennessee, winning in the 4th round. He faced Costa again in his home town on August 7 and won again by unanimous decision.

Gibbons went on to claim another decision in a hard-fought bout against Tony Marks in Columbia, Tennessee on October 9. In Crossville, Tennessee on November 21 he won by technical knock-out in the 2nd round, spoiling the professional debut of Atlanta's Ricky Delorier.

On May 1, 2010 Gibbons faced Mexico's Jose Martinez in Atlanta, Georgia, but lost in a split decision. He lost another split against Mario Lacey on February 19, 2011 at Shelton State Community College in Tuscaloosa. He fought Lacey to a draw in the rematch at Tuscaloosa's Water Oaks Farm Arena on August 27.

After nearly two years, Gibbons re-entered the ring for a bout at Bumpus Harley-Davidson in Memphis, Tennessee. He was credited with another draw in the match-up against Dedrick Bell, bringing his overall professional record to 5-3-2.

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