Virgil Eugene Hill (born January 18, 1964) is an American former professional boxer who competed between 1984 and 2015. He is a world champion in two weight classes, having held the World Boxing Association (WBA) light heavyweight title twice, from 1987 to 1997; the International Boxing Federation (IBF) light heavyweight title from 1996 to 1997; and the WBA cruiserweight title between 2000 and 2002. He also held the WBA (Regular) cruiserweight title between 2006 and 2007. As an amateur, Hill won a silver medal in the middleweight division at the 1984 Summer Olympics. In 2013, he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
At the 1984 Summer Olympics Hill represented the United States as a Middleweight then age 20, and won a silver medal in a close decision loss in the 165-lb final. His results were:
BoxRec-style profile
- Birth name: Virgil Eugene Hill
- Born: January 18, 1964 — Clinton, Missouri, U.S.
- Nationality: American
- Height: 6 ft 0½ in
- Reach: 77 in (196 cm)
- Stance: Orthodox
- Pro debut: Nov 15, 1984 (Win by TKO vs Arthur Wright)
- Last bout: Feb 28, 2015 (Win by TKO vs Jimmy Campbell)
- Total rounds boxed: 462 (summed from the bout table below)
- Divisions: Light heavyweight, Cruiserweight
- KO percentage: 47.1% (24 KO wins in 51 wins)
- Titles held (major, with reign dates): WBA light heavyweight title September 5, 1987 – June 3, 1991 (won from Leslie Stewart; a ten-defense run per the bout table; lost to Thomas Hearns); WBA light heavyweight title (second reign) September 29, 1992 – June 13, 1997 (won the vacant title from Frank Tate; added the IBF title on November 23, 1996 against Henry Maske; lost the WBA and IBF titles to Dariusz Michalczewski); WBA cruiserweight title December 9, 2000 – February 23, 2002 (won from Fabrice Tiozzo; lost to Jean-Marc Mormeck); WBA (Regular) cruiserweight title January 27, 2006 – November 24, 2007 (won the vacant title from Valery Brudov; lost to Firat Arslan) — all dates per the bout table
Record at a glance
- Total bouts: 58
- Wins: 51
- Wins by KO: 24
- Losses: 7
- Losses by KO: 2
- Draws: 0
- No contests: 0
- Born: January 18, 1964 — Clinton, Missouri, U.S.
- Nationality: American
- Height: 6 ft 0½ in
- Reach: 77 in (196 cm)
- Stance: Orthodox
- Divisions: Light heavyweight, Cruiserweight
Fight-by-fight record
| No. | Date | Opponent | Result | Method | Round/Time | Venue / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nov 15, 1984 | Arthur Wright | Win | TKO | 2, 2:05 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. — Professional debut |
| 2 | Jan 5, 1985 | John Tyrell | Win | TKO | 1 (6), 1:12 | Broadway by the Bay Theater, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. |
| 3 | Feb 16, 1985 | David Vedder | Win | UD | 6 | Lawlor Events Center, Reno, Nevada, U.S. |
| 4 | Jul 13, 1985 | Dawud Shaw | Win | UD | 6 | Atlantis Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. |
| 5 | Jan 22, 1986 | Fred Jordan | Win | TKO | 4 (6), 1:59 | Broadway by the Bay Theater, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. |
| 6 | Mar 2, 1986 | James Williamson | Win | TKO | 6, 0:57 | Host Resort, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| 7 | Apr 30, 1986 | Abdul Hakim | Win | TKO | 4 (8), 0:57 | Broadway by the Bay Theater, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. |
| 8 | Jun 30, 1986 | Santiago Valdez | Win | KO | 1, 1:32 | Pacific Ramada Hotel, Everett, Washington, U.S. |
| 9 | Jul 10, 1986 | Mike Sedillo | Win | UD | 10 | The Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S. |
| 10 | Aug 2, 1986 | Willie Mayberry | Win | TKO | 1 | Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, U.S. |
| 11 | Aug 14, 1986 | Marcus Dorsey | Win | KO | 2 | Edmonds Community College, Lynnwood, Washington, U.S. |
| 12 | Oct 4, 1986 | Wayne Caplette | Win | KO | 1 | Williston, North Dakota, U.S. |
| 13 | Oct 17, 1986 | Eric Winbush | Win | UD | 10 | Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S. |
| 14 | Dec 11, 1986 | Clarence Osby | Win | UD | 12 | Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Won vacant WBC Continental Americas light heavyweight title |
| 15 | Mar 6, 1987 | James Williams | Win | KO | 4 | Fargo, North Dakota, U.S. |
| 16 | May 1, 1987 | Marvin Camel | Win | KO | 1, 2:52 | City Arena, Grand Forks, North Dakota, U.S. |
| 17 | Jun 13, 1987 | Marcos Geraldo | Win | KO | 2 (10) | Lake Tahoe, Nevada, U.S. |
| 18 | Jul 19, 1987 | Junior Edmonds | Win | UD | 10 | All Seasons Arena, Minot, North Dakota, U.S. |
| 19 | Sep 5, 1987 | Leslie Stewart | Win | TKO | 4 (12), 3:07 | Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Won WBA light heavyweight title |
| 20 | Nov 21, 1987 | Rufino Angulo | Win | UD | 12 | Stade Pierre de Coubertin, Paris, France — ★ Title fight — Retained WBA light heavyweight title |
| 21 | Apr 3, 1988 | Jean-Marie Emebe | Win | TKO | 11 (12), 1:29 | Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Retained WBA light heavyweight title |
| 22 | Jun 6, 1988 | Ramzi Hassan | Win | UD | 12 | Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Retained WBA light heavyweight title |
| 23 | Nov 11, 1988 | Willie Featherstone | Win | TKO | 10 (12), 2:05 | Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Retained WBA light heavyweight title |
| 24 | Mar 4, 1989 | Bobby Czyz | Win | UD | 12 | Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Retained WBA light heavyweight title |
| 25 | May 27, 1989 | Joe Lasisi | Win | TKO | 7 (12), 1:56 | Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Retained WBA light heavyweight title |
| 26 | Oct 24, 1989 | James Kinchen | Win | TKO | 1 (12), 2:52 | Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Retained WBA light heavyweight title |
| 27 | Feb 25, 1990 | David Vedder | Win | UD | 12 | Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Retained WBA light heavyweight title |
| 28 | Jul 7, 1990 | Tyrone Frazier | Win | UD | 12 | Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Retained WBA light heavyweight title |
| 29 | Oct 27, 1990 | Frank Minton | Win | TKO | 9 (10) | Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S. |
| 30 | Jan 6, 1991 | Mike Peak | Win | UD | 12 | Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Retained WBA light heavyweight title |
| 31 | Jun 3, 1991 | Thomas Hearns | Loss | UD | 12 | Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Lost WBA light heavyweight title |
| 32 | Mar 1, 1992 | Aundrey Nelson | Win | UD | 10 | Princes Park, Melbourne, Australia |
| 33 | Apr 11, 1992 | Lottie Mwale | Win | KO | 4 (12), 1:44 | Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Won WBC International light heavyweight title |
| 34 | Sep 29, 1992 | Frank Tate | Win | UD | 12 | Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Won vacant WBA light heavyweight title |
| 35 | Feb 20, 1993 | Adolpho Washington | Win | TD | 11 (12) | Fargodome, Fargo, North Dakota, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Retained WBA light heavyweight title; Unanimous TD after Washington was cut by bumping his head against a TV camera |
| 36 | Apr 3, 1993 | Fabrice Tiozzo | Win | SD | 12 | Palais des sports Marcel-Cerdan, Paris, France — ★ Title fight — Retained WBA light heavyweight title |
| 37 | Aug 28, 1993 | Sergio Daniel Merani | Win | UD | 12 | Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Retained WBA light heavyweight title |
| 38 | Nov 9, 1993 | Saúl Montana | Win | TKO | 10 (12), 2:26 | Fargodome, Fargo, North Dakota, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Retained WBA light heavyweight title |
| 39 | Dec 17, 1993 | Guy Waters | Win | UD | 12 | Municipal Auditorium, Minot, North Dakota, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Retained WBA light heavyweight title |
| 40 | Jul 23, 1994 | Frank Tate | Win | UD | 12 | Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Retained WBA light heavyweight title |
| 41 | Apr 1, 1995 | Crawford Ashley | Win | UD | 12 | Star of the Desert Arena, Primm, Nevada, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Retained WBA light heavyweight title |
| 42 | Sep 2, 1995 | Drake Thadzi | Win | UD | 12 | Wembley Stadium, London, England — ★ Title fight — Retained WBA light heavyweight title |
| 43 | Apr 20, 1996 | Lou Del Valle | Win | UD | 12 | Ralph Engelstad Arena, Grand Forks, North Dakota, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Retained WBA light heavyweight title |
| 44 | Nov 23, 1996 | Henry Maske | Win | SD | 12 | Olympiahalle, Munich, Germany — ★ Title fight — Retained WBA light heavyweight title; Won IBF light heavyweight title |
| 45 | Jun 13, 1997 | Dariusz Michalczewski | Loss | UD | 12 | Arena Oberhausen, Oberhausen, Germany — ★ Title fight — Lost WBA and IBF light heavyweight titles; For WBO light heavyweight title |
| 46 | Apr 25, 1998 | Roy Jones Jr. | Loss | KO | 4 (12), 1:10 | Coast Coliseum, Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S. |
| 47 | Nov 7, 1998 | James Hayes | Win | KO | 2 (12), 2:27 | Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Won vacant IBC cruiserweight title |
| 48 | May 9, 1999 | Glenn Thomas | Win | UD | 10 | Municipal Auditorium, Minot, North Dakota, U.S. |
| 49 | Dec 9, 2000 | Fabrice Tiozzo | Win | TKO | 1 (12), 2:59 | Astroballe, Lyon, France — ★ Title fight — Won WBA cruiserweight title |
| 50 | Feb 23, 2002 | Jean-Marc Mormeck | Loss | RTD | 8 (12), 3:00 | Palais des Sports, Marseille, France — ★ Title fight — Lost WBA cruiserweight title |
| 51 | Aug 23, 2002 | Carlos Bates | Win | TKO | 1 (12), 1:50 | 4 Bears Casino & Lodge, New Town, North Dakota, U.S. |
| 52 | Nov 17, 2002 | Joey DeGrandis | Win | UD | 12 | Ralph Engelstad Arena, Grand Forks, North Dakota, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Won vacant IBC cruiserweight title |
| 53 | Jul 5, 2003 | Donny Lalonde | Win | UD | 10 | CanWest Global Park, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada |
| 54 | May 22, 2004 | Jean-Marc Mormeck | Loss | UD | 12 | Carnival City, Brakpan, South Africa — ★ Title fight — For WBA cruiserweight title |
| 55 | Jan 27, 2006 | Valery Brudov | Win | UD | 12 | Tropicana Casino & Resort, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. — ★ Title fight — Won vacant WBA (Regular) cruiserweight title |
| 56 | Mar 31, 2007 | Henry Maske | Loss | UD | 12 | Olympiahalle, Munich, Germany |
| 57 | Nov 24, 2007 | Firat Arslan | Loss | UD | 12 | Freiberger Arena, Dresden, Germany — ★ Title fight — Lost WBA (Regular) cruiserweight title |
| 58 | Feb 28, 2015 | Jimmy Campbell | Win | TKO | 2 (8), 2:00 | Civic Center, Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S. |
Titles & notes
Major title reigns (start–end): WBA light heavyweight title September 5, 1987 – June 3, 1991 (won from Leslie Stewart; a ten-defense run per the bout table; lost to Thomas Hearns); WBA light heavyweight title (second reign) September 29, 1992 – June 13, 1997 (won the vacant title from Frank Tate; added the IBF title on November 23, 1996 against Henry Maske; lost the WBA and IBF titles to Dariusz Michalczewski); WBA cruiserweight title December 9, 2000 – February 23, 2002 (won from Fabrice Tiozzo; lost to Jean-Marc Mormeck); WBA (Regular) cruiserweight title January 27, 2006 – November 24, 2007 (won the vacant title from Valery Brudov; lost to Firat Arslan) — all dates per the bout table
- Dec 11, 1986 vs Clarence Osby: Won vacant WBC Continental Americas light heavyweight title
- Sep 5, 1987 vs Leslie Stewart: Won WBA light heavyweight title
- Nov 21, 1987 vs Rufino Angulo: Retained WBA light heavyweight title
- Apr 3, 1988 vs Jean-Marie Emebe: Retained WBA light heavyweight title
- Jun 6, 1988 vs Ramzi Hassan: Retained WBA light heavyweight title
- Nov 11, 1988 vs Willie Featherstone: Retained WBA light heavyweight title
- Mar 4, 1989 vs Bobby Czyz: Retained WBA light heavyweight title
- May 27, 1989 vs Joe Lasisi: Retained WBA light heavyweight title
- Oct 24, 1989 vs James Kinchen: Retained WBA light heavyweight title
- Feb 25, 1990 vs David Vedder: Retained WBA light heavyweight title
- Jul 7, 1990 vs Tyrone Frazier: Retained WBA light heavyweight title
- Jan 6, 1991 vs Mike Peak: Retained WBA light heavyweight title
- Jun 3, 1991 vs Thomas Hearns: Lost WBA light heavyweight title
- Apr 11, 1992 vs Lottie Mwale: Won WBC International light heavyweight title
- Sep 29, 1992 vs Frank Tate: Won vacant WBA light heavyweight title
- Feb 20, 1993 vs Adolpho Washington: Retained WBA light heavyweight title; Unanimous TD after Washington was cut by bumping his head against a TV camera
- Apr 3, 1993 vs Fabrice Tiozzo: Retained WBA light heavyweight title
- Aug 28, 1993 vs Sergio Daniel Merani: Retained WBA light heavyweight title
- Nov 9, 1993 vs Saúl Montana: Retained WBA light heavyweight title
- Dec 17, 1993 vs Guy Waters: Retained WBA light heavyweight title
- Jul 23, 1994 vs Frank Tate: Retained WBA light heavyweight title
- Apr 1, 1995 vs Crawford Ashley: Retained WBA light heavyweight title
- Sep 2, 1995 vs Drake Thadzi: Retained WBA light heavyweight title
- Apr 20, 1996 vs Lou Del Valle: Retained WBA light heavyweight title
- Nov 23, 1996 vs Henry Maske: Retained WBA light heavyweight title; Won IBF light heavyweight title
- Jun 13, 1997 vs Dariusz Michalczewski: Lost WBA and IBF light heavyweight titles; For WBO light heavyweight title
- Nov 7, 1998 vs James Hayes: Won vacant IBC cruiserweight title
- Dec 9, 2000 vs Fabrice Tiozzo: Won WBA cruiserweight title
- Feb 23, 2002 vs Jean-Marc Mormeck: Lost WBA cruiserweight title
- Nov 17, 2002 vs Joey DeGrandis: Won vacant IBC cruiserweight title
- May 22, 2004 vs Jean-Marc Mormeck: For WBA cruiserweight title
- Jan 27, 2006 vs Valery Brudov: Won vacant WBA (Regular) cruiserweight title
- Nov 24, 2007 vs Firat Arslan: Lost WBA (Regular) cruiserweight title
Photo: Shane Balkowitsch via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Record source: Wikipedia professional boxing record table (cross-checked against the bout list), retrieved 2026-11-03.
