JD "THE NATURAL" CHAPMAN
Age: 23 (1983-03-17)

Hometown: Mansfield, AR
Record: 25-0, 22 KOs
Height: 6' 6"
Weight: 250 lbs. (approx.)

Trainer: Jeff Mayweather

Manager: Scott Hirsch

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."

LAST FIGHT: On 2006-09-23 at the Convention Center in Fort Smith, Arkansas, Chapman put in his second-consecutive career-best performance while defending his Arkansas State Heavyweight Title against 18-5 veteran Ray Lunsford. Moving in behind a powerful jab and using his size to bully Lunsford, Chapman unloaded crushing right hands that finished the job in the second round.

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.

AMATEUR, PERSONAL BACKGROUND: Chapman has no amateur boxing experience. When he attempted to become and amateur boxer, he was told that competing in ToughMan makes him ineligible.  A natural athlete, Chapman had played football his entire life before taking up boxing. He has also played basketball and run track. Chapman won the Arkansas State Heavyweight Championship in his twelfth fight as a professional by knocking out 24-fight veteran Calvin Miller. 

STRENGTHS: Size, Power, Hand Speed, Determination, Conditioning, and Youth; a natural athlete with a strong desire to compete

WEAKNESSES: Lack of experience, "learning on the job," no amateur boxing background

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: 25 fights, 4 years.
AVERAGE LENGTH OF BOUTS: 2 rounds.
KNOCKOUT PERCENTAGE: 88 %.

DISTANCE FIGHTS: 12 rounds - 1 (1-0); 10 rounds - 1 (1-0).