On March 21, 1997, a 26-year-old Montell Griffin (26-0, 18 KOs) got a shot at the WBC light-heavyweight title held by 28-year-old Roy Jones Jr. (34-0, 29 KOs).
Griffin came in to the fight on a 26-fight win streak with a 69% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 3 months and 15 days. Jones Jr. was on a 34-fight win streak with a 85% KO rate, and fighting after a layoff of 3 months and 27 days.
Montell Griffin defeated Roy Jones Jr. via disqualification and wins the WBC title — in his first world-title fight. Griffin improves his record to 27-0, while Jones Jr. adds a loss to his record at 34-1.
On December 6, 1996, a 26-year-old Montell Griffin (25-0, 18 KOs) and a 28-year-old James Toney (53-2-2, 35 KOs) met in the ring for the 2nd time, in a light-heavyweight bout.
Griffin came in to the fight on a 25-fight win streak with a 72% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 1 month and 18 days. Toney was on a 9-fight win streak with a 61% KO rate, and fighting after a layoff of 3 months and 27 days.
In the rematch, Montell Griffin defeated James Toney via unanimous decision in the 12-round light-heavyweight fight. Griffin improves his record to 26-0, while Toney adds a loss to his record at 53-3-2.
On February 18, 1995, a 24-year-old Montell Griffin (14-0, 8 KOs) and a 26-year-old James Toney (44-1-2, 29 KOs) met in the ring in a light-heavyweight bout.
Griffin came in to the fight on a 14-fight win streak with a 57% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 5 months and 6 days. Toney was on a -1-fight win streak with a 61% KO rate, and fighting after a layoff of 3 months.
Montell Griffin defeated James Toney via majority decision in the 12-round light-heavyweight fight. Griffin improves his record to 15-0, while Toney adds a loss to his record at 44-2-2.
On April 26, 2003, a 32-year-old Montell Griffin (44-3, 29 KOs) got a shot at the light-heavyweight IBF title held by 34-year-old Antonio Tarver (20-1, 17 KOs).
Griffin came in to the fight on a 6-fight win streak with a 61% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 5 months and 23 days. Tarver was on a 4-fight win streak with a 81% KO rate, and fighting after a layoff of 9 months and 6 days.
Antonio Tarver defeated Montell Griffin via unanimous decision and wins the WBC and IBF titles — in his first world-title fight. Tarver improves his record to 21-1, while Griffin adds a loss to his record at 44-4.
On March 9, 2001, a 30-year-old Montell Griffin (39-3, 27 KOs) and Ed Dalton met in the ring in a light-heavyweight bout.
Griffin came in to the fight on a 1-fight win streak with a 64% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 10 months and 15 days.
Montell Griffin stopped Ed Dalton via TKO in the 6th round. Griffin improves his record to 40-3 (28 KOs)
On February 17, 2002, a 31-year-old Montell Griffin (41-3, 28 KOs) and George Klinesmith met in the ring.
Griffin came in to the fight on a 3-fight win streak with a 63% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 9 months and 5 days.
Montell Griffin stopped George Klinesmith via TKO in the 1st round. Griffin improves his record to 42-3 (29 KOs)
On October 18, 1996, a 26-year-old Montell Griffin (24-0, 17 KOs) and Russell Mitchell met in the ring.
Griffin came in to the fight on a 24-fight win streak with a 70% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 1 month and 20 days.
Montell Griffin stopped Russell Mitchell via TKO in the 1st round. Griffin improves his record to 25-0 (18 KOs)
On January 26, 1996, a 25-year-old Montell Griffin (19-0, 12 KOs) and William Clayton met in the ring.
Griffin came in to the fight on a 19-fight win streak with a 63% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 1 month and 28 days.
Montell Griffin stopped William Clayton via KO in the 1st round. Griffin improves his record to 20-0 (13 KOs)
On January 26, 1999, a 28-year-old Montell Griffin (34-2, 23 KOs) and Availeo Slate met in the ring.
Griffin came in to the fight on a 1-fight losing streak with a 63% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 2 months and 13 days.
Montell Griffin stopped Availeo Slate via TKO in the 2nd round. Griffin improves his record to 35-2 (24 KOs)
On August 28, 1996, a 26-year-old Montell Griffin (23-0, 16 KOs) and Melvin Wynn met in the ring.
Griffin came in to the fight on a 23-fight win streak with a 69% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 1 month and 17 days.
Montell Griffin stopped Melvin Wynn via TKO in the 2nd round. Griffin improves his record to 24-0 (17 KOs)