OSSIE DURAN

Age: 29
Born: April 23, 1977 in Accra, Ghana
Hometown: London, England
Pro Record: 23-6-1 (9 KOs)
Former Commonwealth Light Middleweight & Welterweight Champion

Ossie Duran, born Osumanu Yahaya, is a fringe contender who has battled toe-to-toe with veterans and prospects alike for the past 12 years.

Born in Ghana, Duran lives in London but has fought the last 2 ½ years in the United States, winning three times in New England before losing his last bout (June 1, 2007) on ShoBox to undefeated rising star James Kirkland (18-0) by 10-orund decision in Santa Ynez, California.

Duran turned pro on August 28, 1996, defeating Dick Dosseh by fourth-round TKO in Togo. Ossie had a 7-1-1 record going into his Commonwealth lightweight title fight against David Tetteh (16-1). Duran, coming off a win by 12-round decision against Tony Danso that gave Duran the Ghanian lightweight belt, lost a 12-round decision to Tetteh in Ghana.

Two fights later, Duran had his first fight in England, where he relocated and fought exclusively for three years. In 2001, Duran won an eight-round decision versus David Kirk for the WBF Pan-European welterweight championship and later that same year, Ossie added the WBF European welterweight belt to his growing collection via a victory by 10-round decision against Delroy Millis in London. The Commonwealth welterweight title came next thanks to Duran's 12-round victory by decision against Joshua Okine (10-1-1) in Ghana.

Duran's most significant victory to date was a third-round stoppage of Jamie Moore (20-1), current British lightweight champion, on June 26, 2004 in Northern Ireland for the vacant Commonwealth light middleweight championship. Ossie successfully defended his title against previously undefeated Colin McNeil (8-0), taking a 12-round unanimous decision (118-110, 119-109, 119-119) in London. In his next defense, though, Duran lost a 12-round decision (118-112, 116-113, 115-114) to Bradley Pryce (20-6) in Wales.

Duran briefly moved in with a relative in Providence and he won his U.S. debut on May 18, 2006, beating veteran Marcos Primera (19-13-2) by six-round decision in Providence. Ossie displayed his vast boxing skills against highly touted Gilberto "Sugar" Reyes (18-3-1) in a six-round win by decision on Cape Cod. Back in Providence, Ossie kicked-off 2007 with an impressive performance against Jonathan Reid (34-4), star of The Contender Season One television reality series, taking an eight-round decision in a near shutout performance.

Duran's impressive win against Reid set-up his aforementioned loss in his last fight to Kirkland.