Alonzo Butler, Who Had 34 Pro Boxing Wins as a Heavyweight and a Deontay Wilder Sparring partner, Dies at Age 44

By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent

New York, NY (November 1st, 2024)– Knoxville, Tennessee top flight heavyweight Alonzo ‘Big Zo’ Butler, the principal sparring partner through the Olympic Games and as a professional for former world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder, has died two days short of his 45th birthday.

Wilder describes Butler as the toughest sparring partner he faced during his long career as a heavyweight and heavyweight world champion.

“‘Big Zo’ was the fastest heavyweight I’ve ever seen. With his size, he was a solid 250 pounds, but he could move. If he had better management and handling, he could have been the heavyweight champion of the world (before me). Alonzo was the man. Alonzo was the first guy that I ever felt a body shot from (got hit and felt the pain) and I learned a lot from him during that time (during our time sparring together in the gym throughout our boxing careers).”

In 2006, Butler was signed by Art Pelullo to a pro boxing promotional contract, andmanaged and trained by Ace Miller. After his opening career string of undefeated bouts, Butler was named the Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame Professional Athlete of the year in 2006.

Butler, 34-3-2 with 25 knockouts and one no-contest, opened his career with 26 consecutive wins with one draw. Fighting between 2005 and 2016, during his career Butler fought for the NABA USA (lost majority decision 10) and WBC USA titles (draw 10) but did not win them. A detached retina in 2007 required time to heal after surgery, and heavyweight Friday Ahunaya worked the eye in Butler’s next bout, pummeling it till it was swollen shut, enabling Ahunaya to win a 10 round decision and deal Butler his first loss. Butler continued his career from that point, but never recovered his earlier momentum as a world class contender.

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Robert Brizel - Head Boxing Correspondent
Robert Brizel - Head Boxing Correspondent
Robert is the Head Boxing Correspondent for Real Combat Media Boxing since 2013. Robert is also a photographer and ringside reporter for the RCM Tri State region which includes NJ, NY and PA. Robert conducts exclusive interviews, provides historical boxing articles and provides editorial ringside coverage of major boxing events. You can contact or follow Robert on Facebook and by email at [email protected].