WBO Heavyweight Champion

Born: Oct. 12, 1965, Dulwich, England

Height: 6'7"

Weight: 227

FIGHTS: 31 WINS: 30 LOSSES: 0 DRAWS: 1 KOs: 18

Henry Akinwande is standing tall in the heavyweight division, literally. At 6'7", he became the tallest heavyweight champion ever when he captured the World Boxing Organization (WBO) title on June 29, 1996.

Facing Jeremy Williams, of Long Beach, Calif., for the vacant crown, Akinwande left nothing to chance. After withstanding Williams reckless charges in the first round, Akinwande began to score in round two. At the closing of the round, an overhand right had Williams dazed in the corner, and holding on was the only thing that saved him. No such luck in the third round. Williams came out with frightened aggression, but a powerful straight right hand by Akinwande sent Williams crashing to the canvas. One punch, new champion.

His professional career, which started in 1989 with a first-round knockout victory over Carlton Headly, has included some impressive wins. After winning his first 19 fights, Akinwande battled German-born Axel Schulz in a 12-round bout for the European heavyweight championship in Berlin. The fight was ruled a draw in what many who witnessed the fight say was a terrible decision.

After being "robbed" against Schulz, he went on to defeat Jimmy Thunder of New Zealand for the British Commonwealth title on March 18, 1993. On May 1, 1993, Akinwande was given another opportunity to fight Schulz, again for the European title. This time, he left no doubt with a 12-round decision over the German. Schulz is considered by many to have beaten George Foreman for the IBF Heavyweight championship on April 22, 1995.

As the European champion, Akinwande defeated hulking 6'6" Italian Biagio Chianese by way of a fourth-round TKO, British veteran Johnny Nelson, in a 10-round decision, and 6'9" Stanley Wright. Wright, of course, was the first man to beat "Hurricane" Peter McNeeley.

On December 16, 1995, Akinwande scored a 12-round unanimous decision over Tony Tucker at the Spectrum in Philadelphia and followed with a win by disqualification over Gerard Jones bout on March 23, 1996, in Miami, Fla., before meeting Williams.

Akinwande is now poised to climb to the top of the ladder and unify the heavyweight championship of the world.

Akinwande is co-managed by ex-fighter Sterling McPherson and veteran manager George Kanter.