Frankie Liles grew up in the rough and tumble neighborhood of Kennedy Square. A Fowler High School graduate, Liles attended Onondaga Community College and worked out regularly in local boxing gyms. His amateur career record was 285 wins with just 14 losses and he was a six-time state Golden Gloves champion.

 

Nicknamed “Fabulous Frankie”, Liles turned pro in 1983 and began his career in Detroit at the famous Kronk Gym. After moving to Los Angeles, Liles won the national Golden Gloves Championship and took the silver medal in the 1987 Pan-American Games. He was a respected, hard-punching, fast on his feet journeyman boxer. Despite appearing in many fights and posting plenty of wins, Liles did not win a title until 1992 when he captured the North American Super Middleweight title by defeating Mergi Sosa.

 

On August 12, 1994, Liles won the World Boxing Association Super Middleweight Championship with a stunning decision over WBA champ Steve Little. That December, he defended his title against Michael Nunn. In May 1995, again with a win over Frederic Seillier. His third title defense was a unanimous decision over Brazil's Mauricio Amaral. At this point, his record was 28-1.

 

Liles retired from the ring in 1999 having defended his Super Middleweight crown seven times in a row on the boxing cable channel Showtime.

 

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

 

1988: Reached the Olympics box-offs but lost a 3-2 decision to Roy Jones Jr

 

1992: Won the North American Super Middleweight title by defeating Mergi Sosa

 

1994: Won the World Boxing Association Super Middleweight Championship by defeating defending champ Steve Little in Tucaman, Argentina in a 12-round decision

 

1994-99: Held the WBA Super Middleweight Championship; He defended his title seven times in a row on Showtime

 

1999: Lost his WBA title to Bryon “Gator” Mitchell

 

Total Boxing Record 299 fights, Won 285, Lost 14