Sport: Boxing
Born: July 25, 1967
Town: Plainfield, New Jersey
Glenwood Brown was born July 25, 1967 in Plainfield, NJ. He discovered boxing as a boy after attending a series of amateur bouts at the local high school. The next day, his father enrolled him in a boxing program at the Plainfield Boys Club and, by the age of 10, he was dominating opponents in his age group. Glenwood was called “The Beast” during his amateur fighting days. He won the New Jersey Golden Gloves in 1984 and two years later won the New York Golden Gloves at 139 pounds.
Glenwood turned pro in 1986 and won his first 18 fights as a welterweight. He changed his nickname to ”The Real Beast.” His first loss came in 1988 to Saoul Mamby in Madison Square Garden. He defeated Mamby, a former world champion, in their return match in early 1989. Glenwood was honored as the Joe Louis Rookie of the Year for 1988. He was promoted by Madison Square Garden Boxing.
Glenwood faced Donovan Boucher in Atlantic City in September 1989. Each fighter had just one career loss. Glenwood scored a seventh-round TKO to claim the WBA Inter-Continental Welterweight title. He took the vacant USBA Welterweight crown in 1990 with a TKO of Luis Santana, also in Atlantic City. In 1991, Glenwood fought for the IBF and WBA World Welterweight titles but lost both times, to Maurice Blocker in a split decision and Meldrick Taylor, whom he put on the canvas twice during their match.
In 1993, Glenwood was in a head-on car crash and broke his neck. It took him more than a year to return to the ring. At one point in his rehab, he had gained 100 pounds. He won the first five fights upon his return, culminating in the IBO World Middleweight championship in 1995. He won a unanimous decision over veteran Rafael Williams. Glenwood won his next three fights, but the accident had taken its toll and, by the end of 1996, he was no longer dominant in the ring. He retired after a loss in 2000 to Scott Pemberton.
Glenwood’s final record was 48–12, with 29 knockouts. He was knocked out only twice in his career, but never took a 10 count. His losses all came against excellent fighters, and he made them earn their victories—always giving fans their money’s worth. In 2005, Glenwood was inducted into the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame.