Real name Nguyen Tien Dat Nationality American Nickname(s) Dat Be Dat Stance Orthodox | Rated at Featherweight Name Dat Nguyen Height 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) | |
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Born October 10, 1982 (age 41)
Bien Hoa, Vietnam ( 1982-10-10 ) | ||
Dat Nguyen (born October 10, 1982) is a Vietnamese-American boxer.
When Dat was eight years old, his mother decided to leave Vietnam to give her family a better life. She brought Dat and his five siblings to Hawaii and where he grew up on the beautiful island of Maui. In eight grade, Dat won his first Junior Olympic Championship and went on to win the Men's States Championship and Hawaii Golden Gloves. In 2001, Dat graduated with Honor and was awarded a full Scholarship to Northern Michigan University, site of one of the three United States Olympic Training Centers. He spent three years studying Computer Information Systems while representing the USOEC in National and International competitions as an Olympic Hopeful. During his time at U.S. Olympic Training Center, Dat was the first Vietnamese-American to win a silver medal at the National Golden Gloves and a bronze medal at the 2003 U.S. Championships that earned him spot at the U.S Men's Challenge to qualify for the first Olympic spot. In the U.S Challenge, Dat fought Mickey Bey (the eventual 2004 Olympian) but lost to him on a tie breaker.
Following his departure from the U.S Olympic Education Training Center, Dat decided to turn professional and made his debut on May 1, 2004 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Dat won his first professional fight by knocking out Ernest Scott in the first round.
"Boxing is not my mother's first choice for me" said Nguyen. "But she encourages me to give 100% to anything I do. This is the thing I choose to do, "said Nguyen
An exciting come forward fighter with tremendous heart, Nguyen is always a crowd pleaser. He is a boxer puncher with hand speed and power, who likes to beat up the body. His current professional record is 20-3 (7KO's). He is promoted by King's Promotions who's the leading promoter for Premier Boxing Champions (PBC). "Dat brings a ton of charisma coupled with great skill into the ring and I am happy to showcase his talents, "said DiBella.
Nguyen is trained by known teacher and former legendary fighter James "Buddy" McGirt in Vero Beach, Florida where Nguyen now lives. "He will be a champion," said McGirt.
"He is a great fighter at Featherweight and we expect great things from him," said ex-manager Jack Luce. "His story is touching. He has a lot of pride for his country and his people. He fight for them and for his family. He is a phenomenally nice guy outside the ring, but he's tenacious inside. He is so tough and the crowd loves watching him fight. He makes me proud."
"I fight because I want to be something special" said Nguyen. "Most people do not expect a Vietnamese person to become a boxer. I want to become the first World Champion- to represent my people and their struggles."