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Former California State Heavyweight Champion Denorvell Collier will appear on “Wipe Out,” ABC-TV’s top rated reality series!
Collier will join 24 thrill seekers on Wednesday, August 19 at 8:00 pm EST as they compete in the world’s largest extreme obstacle course!
Not unlike twelve rounds in the ring, Collier will face a battle of stamina and endurance as he once again reaches for the championship.
Collier was a true contender in his day and at 6’5″ and 250 lb, the 50 year old boxer maintains a commanding stature. With a record of 28 fights, 9 knockouts and 7 losses, he possessed a great chin and excellent power, fighting the likes of Buster Douglass, Monte Masters, Alex Garcia, Mark Wills and Eric Curry.
The Chicago native was originally discovered and mentored by Muhammad Ali, who encouraged him to relocate to Los Angeles to pursue professional boxing as a career.
After attending Indiana State University on a football scholarship, Collier took Ali up on his advice, becoming his workout and sparring partner. He later went on to befriend Mike Tyson and shared fight cards with him as well.
With his good looks and physique, Hollywood soon came calling. Collier made appearances in movies and commercials, including “Only in America”, the story of Don King, “Diggs Town” with Lou Gossett Jr., and “Highway to Heaven” with Michael Landon.
But October 29, 1985 is the day Collier made the boxing history books, when young Dee met the legendary iron-chinned Randall ‘Tex’ Cobb in the ring. Cobb was heavily favored to score a decisive win, but someone forget to tell Collier.
Once the bell rang, he immediately used Cobb as a punching bag and knocked the rugged Texan out after a severe battering. Cobb hit the deck four times within 2 minutes and 31 seconds of the fight. Cobb was slated to fight Michael Spinks for the title next but never did due to this defeat.
Today, Collier has reemerged on the scene to take on competition-styled reality television. A retired federal corrections officer, Collier body builds daily in his free time, easily pumping over 350 lb in free weights.
With all the arrogance of his mentor, Muhammad Ali, Collier professes, “Being retired, I watch a lot of television. I haven’t seen anyone as strong as me or as pretty as me yet. I figured reality tv needed me. ‘Wipe Out’ proved to be more challenging than going toe to toe with any contender. It was a great experience!”
