Fred Kassi
{{Short description|American boxer}}
{{Infobox boxer
| name = Fred Kassi
| birth_name=
| image = Hughie Fury - 2016-04-30.jpg
| caption = Kassi (r.) fighting Hughie Fury at the Copper Box in London
| nickname = Action
| weight = Heavyweight
| height = 183
| reach = 189
| nationality = American{{Cite web|title=Fred Kassi|url=https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/224389|access-date=2021-09-30|website=BoxRec|language=en}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1979|9|4}}
| birth_place= Douala, Cameroon
| style = Orthodox
| total = 27
| wins = 18
| KO = 10
| losses = 8
| draws = 1
| no contests =
}}
Fred Kassi (born September 4, 1979) is a Cameroonian-born professional boxer based in New Orleans, Louisiana.{{Cite web|last=Rivera|first=Kristopher|title=Boxing: Fred Kassi quietly waits to make noise against Arreola|url=https://eu.elpasotimes.com/story/sports/boxing/2015/07/17/kassi-quietly-waits-make-some-noise-against-nightmare/71955332/|access-date=2021-09-30|newspaper=El Paso Times|language=en}}
Professional career
After winning 15 of his first 16 professional fights, Kassi faced his first tough opponent. He was set to face Kendrick Releford in Hollywood Casino, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, on April 24, 2010.{{Cite web|author=Hollywood Casino|title=Kendrick Releford To Face Kassi, Leo Nolan Withdraws|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/kendrick-releford-face-kassi-leo-nolan-withdraws--26930|access-date=2021-09-30|website=Boxingscene|language=en}} He eventually lost the fight via unanimous points decision, after 10 rounds.{{Cite web|last=Holmes|first=William|title=PBC on NBC Preview: Wilder vs. Duhaupas, Breazeale vs. Kassi|url=https://www.boxinginsider.com/headlines/pbc-on-nbc-preview-wilder-vs-duhaupas-breazeale-vs-kassi/|access-date=2021-09-30|website=www.boxinginsider.com|date=25 September 2015|language=en}}
Three times, he fought American contender Chris Arreola, on July 18, 2015, at Don Haskins Center in El Paso, Texas. The fight aired on PBC and CBS. The fight resulted in a controversial draw; many, including ringside observers, such as analyst Steve Farhood, believed that Kassi won the fight.{{Cite web|last=Coppinger|first=Mike|title=Chris Arreola struggles to draw against underdog Fred Kassi|url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/sports/boxing/2015/07/18/chris-arreola-struggles-to-draw-against-underdog-fred-kassi/99756348/|access-date=2021-09-30|website=USA Today|language=en}}
After the controversy with Arreola, Kassi fought Dominic Breazeale at the Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama. He lost via another controversial points decision. Breazeale was given a unanimous decision win by judges. Most observers regarded the fight as a draw or close-run win for Kassi.{{Cite web|last=Fischer|first=Doug|title=DOMINIC BREAZEALE OUTPOINTS FRED KASSI BY QUESTIONABLE DECISION|url=https://www.ringtv.com/400173-dominic-breazeale-outpoints-fred-kassi-by-questionable-decision/|access-date=2021-09-30|website=The Ring|date=27 September 2015|language=en}}
Kassi was set to fight Hughie Fury for the vacant WBO Inter-Continental heavyweight title at the Copper Box Arena on April 30, 2016.{{Cite web|last=Gigney|first=George|title=Hughie Fury fight time, date, venue, TV channel, undercard and more|url=https://www.boxingnewsonline.net/hughie-fury-fight-time-date-venue-tv-channel-undercard-and-more/|access-date=2021-09-30|website=The Ring|language=en}} Kassi lost the fight via technical decision.{{Cite web|last=Robinson|first=Isaac|title=Hughie Fury step-up delay amid health issues, says Peter Fury|url=https://www.skysports.com/boxing/news/12183/10280124/hughie-fury-step-up-delay-amid-health-issues-says-peter-fury|access-date=2021-09-30|website=SkySports|language=en}} The bout went to the scorecards after seven rounds when Fury was left with a gash over his left eye because of an accidental clash of heads. Kassi pressured Fury throughout the fight, landing power shots on his head. Fury struggled to contain him until the fight was suspended.{{Cite news|url=https://www.boxingnews24.com/2016/04/hughie-fury-defeats-fred-kassi/|title=Hughie Fury Defeats Fred Kassi|work=Boxing News 24|access-date=2021-09-30|language=en-US}}
Kassi was set to face Jarrell Miller on August 29, 2016, for the WBO-NABO heavyweight title.{{Cite web|author=Showtime|title=Jarrell Miller vs. Fred Kassi on August 19th, Showtime|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/jarrell-miller-vs-fred-kassi-on-august-19th-showtime--106226|access-date=2021-09-30|website=Boxingscene|language=en}} The fight took place in Rhinos Stadium, Rochester, and Kassi lost as he retired in the third round, citing hand injury.{{Cite web|last=Andrzejewski|first=Matt|title=Jarrell Miller vs. Fred Kassi on August 19th, Showtime|url=https://tss.ib.tv/boxing/featured-boxing-articles-boxing-news-videos-rankings-and-results/26909-ringside-rochester-jarrell-miller-stops-washout-fred-kassi|access-date=2021-09-30|website=tss.ib.tv|date=20 August 2016|language=en}}
Professional boxing record
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:95%" | |
| style="text-align:center;" colspan=8|18 Wins (10 knockouts), 9 Losses (1 knockout), 1 Draw{{cite web |url=http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=224389&cat=boxer |title=Jimmy Rothwell - Boxer |website=boxrec.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130905232448/http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=224389&cat=boxer |archive-date=2013-09-05}} | |
| Result
! Record ! Opponent ! Type ! Round ! Date ! Location ! Notes | |
|---|---|
| align=center
|{{no2}}Loss | {{small|18–8–1}}
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Izuagbe Ugonoh |RTD |2 (10), 3:00 |2018-05-25 |align=left|{{flagicon|Poland}} Stadion Narodowy, Warsaw |align=left| |
| {{no2}}Loss | {{small|18–7–1}}
|align=left|{{flagicon|Poland}} Tomasz Adamek |UD |10 |2017-11-18 |align=left|{{flagicon|Poland}} Hala Sportowa, Czestochowa |align=left|{{small|For vacant Republic of Poland International heavyweight title}} |
| {{no2}}Loss | {{small|18–6–1}}
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Jarrell Miller |RTD |3 (10), 3:00 |2016-08-19 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Rhinos Stadium, Rochester |align=left|{{small|For WBO-NABO heavyweight title}} |
| {{no2}}Loss | {{small|18–5–1}}
|align=left|{{flagicon|UK}} Hughie Fury |TD |7 (12), 0:46 |2016-04-30 |align=left|{{flagicon|UK}} Copper Box Arena, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Hackney Wick |align=left|{{small|For vacant WBO Inter-Continental heavyweight title; |
| {{no2}}Loss | {{small|18–4–1}}
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Dominic Breazeale |UD |10 |2015-09-26 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Legacy Arena, Birmingham |align=left| |
| {{draw}}Draw | {{small|18–3–1}}
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Chris Arreola |MD |10 |2015-07-18 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Don Haskins Center, El Paso |align=left| |
| {{no2}}Loss | {{small|18–3}}
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Amir Mansour |KO |7 (10), 2:14 |2014-11-08 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Sands Bethlehem Event Center, Bethlehem |align=left| |
| {{yes2}}Win | {{small|18–2}}
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Shannon Caudle |KO | |2013-08-10 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Crescent City Boxing Gym, New Orleans |align=left| |
| {{yes2}}Win | {{small|17–2}}
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Rubin Williams |TKO |2 (6), 2:28 |2012-12-01 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Crescent City Boxing Gym, New Orleans |align=left| |
| {{yes2}}Win | {{small|16–2}}
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Royphy Solieau |DQ | |2012-04-14 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Crescent City Boxing Gym, New Orleans |align=left| |
| {{no2}}Loss | {{small|15–2}}
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Kendrick Releford |UD |10 |2010-04-24 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Hollywood Casino, Bay Saint Louis |align=left| |
| {{yes2}}Win | {{small|15–1}}
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Moises Droz |KO | |2010-01-23 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Hollywood Casino, Bay Saint Louis |align=left| |
| {{yes2}}Win
|{{small|14–1}} |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Joseph Rabotte |UD | |2009-12-04 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} St. Bernard Civic Center, Chalmette |align=left| | |
| {{yes2}}Win
|{{small|13–1}} |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Marvin Hunt |TKO | |2009-10-03 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Hollywood Casino, Bay Saint Louis |align=left| | |
| {{no2}}Loss
|{{small|12–1}} |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Lionel Butler |SD |6 |2009-09-10 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} San Manuel Indian Casino, Highland |align=left| | |
| {{yes2}}Win
|{{small|12–0}} |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Steve Lewallen |UD | |2007-08-04 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Expo Square Pavilion, Tulsa |align=left| | |
| {{yes2}}Win | {{small|11–0}}
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Chaffy Uhde |RTD | |2007-06-23 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Convention Center, Fort Smith |align=left| |
| {{yes2}}Win
|{{small|10–0}} |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Steven Crane |KO | |2007-05-19 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Gypsy, Fayetteville |align=left| | |
| {{yes2}}Win
|{{small|9–0}} |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Billy Deal |TKO | |2007-04-14 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} The Hughes Center, Russellville |align=left| | |
| {{yes2}}Win | {{small|8–0}}
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Ron Collins |TKO | |2007-03-24 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Oaks, Fort Smith |align=left| |
| {{yes2}}Win | {{small|7–0}}
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Jonathan Felton |UD | |2007-02-23 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Catholic Youth Center, Scranton |align=left| |
| {{yes2}}Win
|{{small|6–0}} |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} John Dixon |UD | |2004-05-27 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Alario Center, Westwego |align=left| | |
| {{yes2}}Win | {{small|5–0}}
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Chris Gann |TKO | |2004-05-21 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} The Foundry, Atlanta |align=left| |
| {{yes2}}Win
|{{small|4–0}} |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Pavlo Varavko |UD | |2004-04-03 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Adam's Mark Hotel, Philadelphia |align=left| | |
| {{yes2}}Win
|{{small|3–0}} |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} James Thompson |SD | |2004-02-07 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Ballys Park Place Hotel Casino, Atlantic City |align=left| | |
| {{yes2}}Win | {{small|2–0}}
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Paul Tillery |UD | |2003-12-13 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Convention Center, Washington |align=left| |
| {{yes2}}Win | {{small|1–0}}
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Ken Powell |TKO | |2003-12-02 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Omni New Daisy Theater, Memphis |align=left| |