J.D "The Natural" Chapman

JD Chapman's transformation from naturally talented novice to one of the hottest up-and-coming heavyweight prospects in the world began when Florida businessman Scott Hirsch ran into Arkansas club-fight promoter Stacy Goodson.

Goodson told Hirsch that a young fighter who had turned professional after competing in ToughMan tournaments was bowling over opponents as fast as he could set up his fights. "He asked me if I would consider managing him," explains Hirsch, "so I flew JD down to Florida and had Shannon (Briggs, also managed by Hirsch and a former linear heavyweight world champion) work with him and evaluate him. When he was finished, I asked him, 'so what did you think?' Shannon said 'he's got talent.' I said 'like a Minto or Maddalone-level talent?' And Shannon said 'No. He's got real talent.'"

"This is kind of like a Cinderella story," says the undefeated power puncher. "I come from nowhere and hook-up with a world-class manager and trainer. They picked me straight out of the hay field and now I'm in the ring with former world champions. I got lucky to be given this opportunity; it's almost surreal."


IMPORTANT LANDMARK: On 2005-12-15 at the Hard Rock Casino, Hollywood, Florida, Chapman made his national PPV debut and was forced to go the distance for just the second time in his career in winning a unanimous 12-round decision over Illinois native Edward Gutierrez. Trainer Michael Moorer said the experience was a valuable one for Chapman and answered a lot of questions about the young man's conditioning, chin and focus.

CAREER BEST VICTORY: On 2005-09-24 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in front of the audience assembled for the Wladimir Klitschko vs. Samuel Peter fight, Chapman introduced himself to the large crowd by brutalizing tough Texan Robert Kooser, 7-2 (6 KOs). Chapman was too busy and too accurate for Kooser and the fight gradually became target practice for his long right hand.