Robert Shannon

Background

Shannon, who had a white mother and black father, started fighting in the streets as a young boy in Seattle's predominately black Central District where he found kids who would start fights with him because he was white. He later moved to Lynnwood, WA, where he continued to get into fights, this time with white kids who fought him because he was black.

Amateur career

After beating up one kid, he was invited to a gym where he began boxing at the age of 12. He would capture a national junior championship at 15 and a world junior championship at the age of 16. Shannon qualified for the 1980 Olympic games as a 17-year-old at 106 pounds, but did not compete due to the 1980 Summer Olympics boycott. In 2007, he received one of 461 Congressional Gold Medals created especially for the spurned athletes. He also qualified for the Olympics in 1984 at 119 pounds, but was eliminated in the 3rd round when the bout was stopped by the referee (RSC - referee stops contest) with 1 minute 46 seconds remaining against Sung-Kil Moon of South Korea. Moon had a standing eight count in the second round. Later, Shannon also had a standing-eight count on Moon. Shannon's amateur record was 124-27.

Amateur Highlights

1984 Olympic Results

Pro career

Shannon turned pro in 1984 and was undefeated in his first 15 fights before losing a split decision to future champion Greg Richardson in 1986. The following year Shannon lost to future champ Jose Sanabria and his career began to slide. He retired from the sport in 1990.

Life After Boxing

Shannon's job outside of boxing, at least early in his career, was as a barber. He currently is a trainer in Seattle and runs a gym in the Roosevelt neighborhood.