Former World Lightweight and Junior Welterweight Champion Greg Haugen Dies at 64
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
Seattle, Washington (February 26th, 2025)– Former World Lightweight and Junior Welterweight champion Greg ‘The Mutt’ Haugen, who won the International Boxing Federation World Lightweight title twice between 1986 and 1989, and who won the World Boxing Organisation World Junior Welterweight title in 1991, passed away of renal complications at a care facility outside of Seattle, Washington at age 64 on Saturday, February 22, 2025.
Fighting between 1982 and 1999, Haugen posted a career record of 39-10-1 with 19 knockouts. One of the few pros who turned pro in a 10-rounder, Haugen stopped 13-3-1 Noel Arriesgado in the seventh round in Anchorage, Alaska, on December 4, 1982. Haugen lost a 15-rounder to Vinny Paz in 1987, then won a 15-round rematch with Vinny Paz in 1988 for the IBF World Lightweight title held by Vinny Paz, then known as Vinny Pazienza. Haugen lost his IBF title to Pernell Whitaker I 1989 by 12 round decision, lost a rematch to Vinny Paz in their trilogy bout in 1990 by 10 round decision, then upset the 38-0 Hector ‘Macho’ Camacho in 1991 in Las Vegas to win the WBO World Super Lightweight title.
Haugen became famous for the start of the twelfth round against the then unbeaten Hector (Macho) Camacho, who Haugen handed Camacho his first defeat in 1991, at Caesars Palace Las Vegas. Before the 12th round, Haugen refused referee Carlos Padilla’s request to touch gloves, and Camacho punched him. In a controversial decision, Padilla deducted a point from Camacho, and instead of the bout ending in a draw, the point deduction gave a split decision victory over Camacho. Haugen lost his WBO title by 12 round decision to Camacho in the 1991 rematch in Reno, Nevada. Haugen then stopped Ray Mancini in 1992 in seven rounds to win the vacant NABF Super Lightweight title in Reno.
In 1993, Haugen was stopped by 85-0 Julio Cesar Chavez in Mexico City in five rounds in an unsuccessful attempt to win the World Boxing Council World Super Lightweight title. Between 1998 and 1999, Haugen fought Paul Nave three times in San Rafael, California, losing, then winning the WBF World Welterweight title. In his last bout, Haugen and Nave fought to a 12-round No Contest in their third WBF titular trilogy bout, which was originally scored a draw, but later changed when Haugen failed a post-fight drug test. Haugen decisioned Grover Wiley in ten rounds in 1999. Wiley defeated Julio Cesar Chavez in 2005.
Greg’s daughter, Cassandra Haugen, explained “Dad has been ill for a while, but it really began to come to fruition in the last several months. Over the last few months, he started to get more ill. He definitely was a fighter. He’s one of the toughest men I know, and he fought hard (to live). His spirits were good, and he had his wits about him. He was my Dad right up until the end. He fought so hard, but unfortunately, the Champ fought his final round.”
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