David Reid

David Reid came into the 1996 Atlanta Olympics as a medal contender, having won the 1995 Pan American gold medal as a welterweight, and also winning 1994 and 1996 US titles, as a welterweight and light-middleweight, respectively, and having won the 1993 National Golden Gloves crown. Reid did not disappoint, coming away from Atlanta with the gold medal in light-middleweight.

Reid turned professional after Atlanta and won his first bout in March 1997 with a unanimous decision over Sam Calderon. Reid won his first nine bouts, earning him a shot at the WBA world title in super-welterweight, which he won with a unanimous decision over Laurent Boudouani. Reid’s world title in only his 10th professional fight was one of the quickest ascents to a world championship ever.

Defending his title twice in 1999-2000, there were calls for a super fight with Reid against Roy Jones, Jr., Oscar De La Hoya, Bernard Hopkins, or Félix Trinidad, but only the bout against Trinidad ever materialized. In March 2000 Reid lost a unanimous decision to Trinidad, a fight in which he sustained a detached retina late in the going.

Reid returned to the ring but had trouble with his eye from the retinal damage, and retired in 2001 after only four more fights. He ended his professional career with a record of 17 wins (7 by KO) and 2 losses.