Duane Bobick

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameDuane David•Bobick
Used nameDuane•Bobick
Born24 August 1950 in Bowlus, Minnesota (USA)
Measurements190 cm / 94 kg
AffiliationsUS Navy, (USA)
NOC United States

Biography

In 1971 Duane Bobick won the AAU heavyweight title, and the Pan American Games gold medal. He won the 1972 Golden Gloves championship, and was considered a favorite for the 1972 Olympic gold medal. At the 1971 Pan Ams, Bobick had defeated Cuban Teófilo Stevenson, but Stevenson TKOed Bobick in the quarter-finals at München, went on to win the gold medal, and became a legendary amateur heavyweight.

Bobick turned professional and became the first in a long line of “Great White Hopes.” He faced some major fighters, including Ken Norton and John Tate, but never fought for a major title. Bobick boxed professionally from 1973 through July 1979, finishing with a career record of 48 wins (42 by KO) and 4 losses, all by knockout. He returned to Minnesota and later did heavy industrial work. In 1997 Bobick was almost killed when his arms were caught and crushed between paper rolls in a paper mill, and he narrowly avoided amputations. That same year he was given the Acts of Kindness: Governor’s Volunteer Award for his work as a volunteer which included school, church and hospital volunteer work. Bobick later suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and had to be cared for full-time by his wife.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1972 Summer Olympics Boxing USA Duane Bobick
Heavyweight, Men (Olympic) =5

Special Notes