ChazzWitherspoon

Chazz "The Gentleman" Witherspoon has not had your typical path into professional heavyweight boxing.

The American 30-year-old was offered both track and basketball scholarships, but shunned the athletic route to test his intellect with a degree at St. Joseph's University.

The Philadelphia-born fighter commenced his amateur fight career during his second year at St. Joseph's. He went on to record amateur stats of 26 - 6, winning the American National Golden Gloves competition at heavyweight in 2004.

After leaving St. Joseph's with a degree in pharmaceutical marketing in May 2005, The Gentleman was ready to commit to a professional career.

He won his first 23 fights, including 13 knockouts. His first career defeat came in June 2008 when he was disqualified during a fight against Chris Arreola during a challenge for the WBC Continental Americas Heavyweight Championship. Witherspoon was disqualified as his corner entered the ring during a count, even though the bell had rung to signify the end of the round.

Witherspoon's second defeat came in December the 2009 when he was knocked out in the ninth by Tony Thompson.

The 6ft 4in American's most recent bout was also a defeat, this time against Seth Mitchell LIVE from Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, on BoxNationTV.