Grant Inches Closer to Title Shot

By Jim Cawkwell.


Halloween is the night that the dead walk the earth, but this year, something once considered long departed from the world of boxing undergoes a resurrection of its own, however brief it proves. It is the career of Montreal, Quebec’s own Otis Grant. Before Antonio Tarver arrived and vocally bludgeoned the boxing press to death, the “Magic Man” moniker belonged to Grant. He was magic enough to spellbind then unbeaten prospect Ryan Rhodes in a vacant clash for the WBO middleweight title in 1997. Rhodes was one of the Sheffield slicksters brought to the fore by famed Irish trainer Brendan Ingle. The young star headlined domestic boxing shows, knocking opponents silly and being back at ringside in time to watch best friend Naseem Hamed do the same. Rosy as the picture looked, Rhodes was in over his head against Grant and the torture lasted all of the twelve rounds with Grant more than deservedly proclaimed the new champion.

One year later, the spell wore off and Grant, having voluntarily abdicated his championship, met pound-for-pound champion Roy Jones Jr. Truly, as overmatched as Rhodes was against Grant was nothing compared to what separated Grant from Jones, and when all was told, Canadian trainer Russ Anber saw no further option but to save Grant from the likelihood of a vicious stoppage loss. From humiliation and failure came tragedy for Grant as he fell victim to a life threatening car accident; he still carries the scars around his shoulders to this day.

Five long years of rehabilitation and soul searching later, Grant is back and on the verge of challenging for his second world title. That title is the WBC super middleweight championship, owned by Germany’s Markus Beyer. A fighter well known to Beyer and about to become acquainted with Grant is Italy’s Cristian Sanavia. Having once beaten Beyer, Sanavia knew even less of the championship life than Grant, who was able to make at least one successful defense. Sanavia performed the rare feat of exiting Germany with one of its pugilistic resident’s titles, but the result of his inevitable return was not so favorable. Beyer punished Sanavia’s impudence before prompting a sixth round stoppage to claim the title he holds to this day, and if Grant can defeat Sanavia on October 29, Beyer will entertain the challenge of Grant in 2006.

From world championship glory, to disastrous loss, to personal tragedy and back to the forefront of title contention, Grant’s is an incredible tale of determination against the odds. The next chapter comes in the under-whelming setting of Lac Leamy Casino in Gatineau, Quebec, and if the story does not end there, it must continue in the hostile environment of Beyer’s Germany, where no fighter is assured of victory. However the final act plays out, the courage of Otis Grant is already a story worth remembering.