Terrance Cauthen was the US amateur lightweight champion and won a bronze medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics as a lightweight. Cauthen turned professional after the Olympics and won his first 15 fights before losing by TKO to Teddy Reid in a bout for the WBA-NABA super lightweight title. Cauthen fought through 2012, although sporadically in the twilight years of his career. He won several titles, including the NABF super-lightweight crown, when he won by decision over Franco Ogentho in September 2002. In June 2006 he defeated Nurhan Süleymanoğlu by decision to take the IBU super-welterweight title. His next fight was in October 2006 when he defeated Dante Craig by TKO to claim the USBA super-welterweight title. He retired with a professional record of 36 wins (8 by KO) and 8 losses.
United States