Wilford “The Scorpion” Scypion was the National Golden Gloves Middle Weight Champion of 1978. He had tried out for the U.S. boxing team for the 1976 Olympics, but did not make the team. He turned pro not long after his Golden Gloves title and went on to have a 32-9 record, with 24 of those decisions by knockout.

 

     After winning the USBA’s regional Middle Weight title fight against Frank “The Animal” Fletcher on February 3, 1983, Scypion was set for the highlight of his career: fighting “Marvelous” Marvin Hagler for the WBA, WBC and WBO championship titles – the first bout in history to decide all three. Scypion met Hagler in the ring on May 27, 1983 in Providence, Rhode Island. Despite his best efforts, Scypion was knocked out in the fourth round.

 

     After the Hagler fight, Scypion’s career took a downward turn and he lost five of his next eleven fights. He decided to hang up his gloves in 1991. In recognition for his achievements, he had received the Key to the City of Port Arthur from the Mayor in 1983.