1. Tyrone Clinton Spong was born on 3 September 1985 and is a Surinamese-Dutch professional boxer and mixed martial artist and former kickboxer.
42 Facts About Tyrone Spong
1. 2.
Tyrone Spong had his first match at fifteen and won by first-round knockout.
3.
In 2003, his first year as a professional, Spong won 12 fights.
4.
In 2004, Tyrone Spong visited Japan to compete in Shootboxing, losing to Ryuji Goto via unanimous decision.
5.
Tyrone Spong's next fight, in April 2005, was against Belgian Mohammed Ouali for another European Title.
6.
In December 2005, at the A-1 Combat Cup in Duisburg, Tyrone Spong won his first tournament Championship after winning three consecutive fights by knockout.
7.
In 2006, Tyrone Spong had two significant victories, knockout wins over Muay Thai veteran Joerie Mes and, two weeks later, K-1 fighter Kaoklai Kaennorsing, from Thailand.
8.
On 26 January 2008 Tyrone Spong won the World Full Contact Association World Thaiboxing Cruiserweight Championship by defeating Aurelien Duarte.
9.
On 26 April 2008 Tyrone Spong faced Azem Maksutaj at the K-1 World Grand Prix 2008 in Amsterdam, winning by knockout in the second round.
10.
Tyrone Spong then defeated Gary Turner via TKO in the first round.
11.
On 28 March 2009 Tyrone Spong participated in the first K-1 Heavyweight Title tournament, held in Yokohama, Japan.
12.
Tyrone Spong was beaten in the semifinals by Gokhan Saki, who won by KO in the extra round.
13.
Similarly to the Corbett fight, Tyrone Spong broke his right hand in the first round and was knocked down.
14.
At the start of 2011, Tyrone Spong had to vacate the It's Showtime 95MAX world title due to a number of issues, such as not having had a title defense in the allocated two years and his management stating that he had moved up in weight to fight as a heavyweight.
15.
Tyrone Spong knocked out Igor Mihaljevic with a left knee in the first round at It's Showtime 2011 Lyon on 14 May 2011.
16.
Tyrone Spong defeated Loren Javier Jorge by unanimous decision at It's Showtime Madrid 2011 on 18 June 2011.
17.
Tyrone Spong faced Melvin Manhoef at It's Showtime 2012 in Leeuwarden on 28 January 2012 and won by unanimous decision.
18.
Tyrone Spong faced the legendary Dutchman Peter Aerts at an It's Showtime event in Brussels, Belgium, on 30 June 2012 and won by knockout in the third round.
19.
Tyrone Spong fought Remy Bonjasky at Glory 5: London in London, England, on 23 March 2013.
20.
Tyrone Spong won via one-punch KO with a right hook in the second round.
21.
Tyrone Spong had a scare in the quarter-finals when he was dropped by Michael Duut soon after the bout started, although it was not counted by the referee.
22.
Just moments after returning to his feet, Tyrone Spong landed a crushing right hand on Duut, knocking Duut out and ensuring Tyrone Spong's passage to the semifinals against Filip Verlinden.
23.
The Verlinden match was a technical battle, with Tyrone Spong outpointing the Belgian and taking a unanimous decision.
24.
Tyrone Spong dropped Corbett twice with left hooks and won by second-round TKO.
25.
Tyrone Spong fought in the Glory 15: Istanbul - Light Heavyweight World Championship Tournament in Istanbul, Turkey on 12 April 2014, competing for the inaugural Glory Light Heavyweight Championship.
26.
Midway through the opening round, Tyrone Spong threw a kick to Saki's left leg.
27.
Tyrone Spong underwent surgery to repair his broken leg and returned to training in October 2014.
28.
Tyrone Spong made his highly anticipated MMA debut against Travis Bartlett at World Series of Fighting 1 on 3 November 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada, in the light heavyweight division.
29.
Tyrone Spong knocked out Bartlett at 3:15 of the first round with a straight right.
30.
Tyrone Spong faced Angel DeAnda at World Series of Fighting 4 on 10 August 2013 in the main event.
31.
Tyrone Spong was scheduled to face Bigfoot Silva on 28 January 2022 at EFC 44.
32.
Tyrone Spong lost the fight by technical knockout in the second round.
33.
Tyrone Spong was seen and interviewed at Karate Combat 52 in Miami and expressed interest in fighting for the promotion, stating that he thinks Karate Combat 'is the future'.
34.
Tyrone Spong told the interviewer the promotion is 'fan-friendly' and 'perfect for his style of fighting'.
35.
Tyrone Spong decided to begin a career in professional boxing at age 29.
36.
Tyrone Spong defeated Juan Carlos Salas by KO in Round 1 at Brave Warriors in Action PPV event on 27 May 2017 in Mexico.
37.
On 7 October 2017 Tyrone Spong won the WBC Latino Heavyweight Championship.
38.
On 31 August 2018 Tyrone Spong defeated Santander Silago via KO in the first round.
39.
Tyrone Spong was due to face Oleksandr Usyk on 12 October 2019 but the bout was called off after Tyrone Spong tested positive for the banned substance clomifene.
40.
Tyrone Spong is an avid animal enthusiast, as is evidenced by the majority of his tattoos.
41.
Tyrone Spong is the owner of several pit bull terriers, which he bred himself.
42.
Tyrone Spong has been decorated with the Honorary Order of the Yellow Star the highest order of Suriname by President Desi Bouterse.