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Mark Anthony Breland (born May 11, 1963) is an American boxing trainer. As an amateur, he was a Gold Medal winner at the 1984 Summer Olympics, with a 110-1 record as an amateur boxing and is regarded among the greatest amateur fighters ever. He competed as a professional from 1984 to 1997, and held the WBA welterweight title twice between 1987 and 1990. He later became an actor with a wide range of movie and television credits, having made his debut in The Lords of Discipline, and also appeared in the music video for The Pointer Sisters' 1985 hit single, "Dare Me".
At age 18 in 1981 Breland was already being offered huge sums up to $300,000 by boxing promoters to sign a professional contract. Still, he turned them down, partly in anticipation of participating in the 1984 Olympics (and the exposure the Games would bring), and in part scorn: "It's not 'cause I need the money. It's 'cause they need the money. Hey, I can get hurt." Breland always sought to take the fight game on his terms; even then he planned to leave the ring before turning 30.
Breland compiled an impressive amateur ring record of 110–1 (with 73 knockouts). Boxers Chase Olympic Berth, by Ed Schuyler Jr. AP Sports Writer, Wilson Daily Times, July 6, 1984, p. 11. His single loss, to Darryl Anthony was avenged by a 3rd round TKO over Anthony as a professional in a scheduled 10 round bout. Plus one unaccounted loss by medical disqualification, Boxing, U.S. Amateur (UPI,) European Stars And Stripes, December 14, 1982, p. 25. due to withdrawal because of toxic poisoning, which caused Breland to spend most of the fight week in a New York hospital.
Breland won a gold medal at the 1984 Olympics, was awarded the 1982 Boxer of the Year by USAABF, Essett advances to USABC finals by David Knight, The Indianapolis Star, December 17, 1982, p. 68. and rated #1 amateur welterweight in the world by AIBA in 1984. Boxing Ratings, UPI, February 27, 1984.
Breland was so exceptional as an amateur that he had been having trouble getting sparring partners in the Bedford-Stuyvesant Boxing Association Gym. Fighters were known to delay their trip to the coveted NYC Daily News Golden Gloves during Mark Breland's five year consecutive reign in order to avoid facing him. In June 1984, when he was preparing himself for the forthcoming National Olympic Trials, he went to Grossinger, New York, to train with the Kronk Gym, there he sparred with WBC Super Welterweight champion Thomas Hearns, who in turn was preparing to fight Roberto Durán. At that time Breland was being trained by Emanuel Steward. 1984 Olympic Boxing Trials in Fort Worth, Texas, hosted by Howard Cosell. At that time he narrowly escaped bigger troubles, falling under destructive influence of his teammate Ricky Womack, who happened to be an authoritative figure for Breland, eventually was sentenced and jailed. Becoming Holyfield: A Fighter's Journey, 2008, pp. 41-42.
Breland retired in 1997 with a professional record of 35–3–1 (25 KOs). His losses were to Jorge Vaca, Aaron Davis, and Marlon Starling, with whom he also earned his only draw.
| 39 | Win | Rick Haynes | UD | 10 | Mar 21, 1997 | |||
| 38 | Win | 34–3–1 | Bobby Butters | TKO | 2 (10), | Jan 10, 1997 | ||
| 37 | Win | 33–3–1 | Darryl Lattimore | UD | 10 | Jun 7, 1996 | ||
| 36 | Win | 32–3–1 | Buck Smith | KO | 3 (10), | May 19, 1996 | ||
| 35 | Win | 31–3–1 | Ricardo Smith | TKO | 3 (10), | Jan 27, 1996 | ||
| 34 | Loss | 30–3–1 | Jorge Vaca | TKO | 6 (10), | Sep 13, 1991 | ||
| 33 | Win | 30–2–1 | Julian Samaha | TKO | 1 (10), | Jul 12, 1991 | ||
| 32 | Win | 29–2–1 | Henry Anaya Jr. | UD | 10 | Jun 10, 1991 | ||
| 31 | Win | 28–2–1 | Ariel Conde | KO | 1 (10), | Apr 9, 1991 | ||
| 30 | Loss | 27–2–1 | Aaron Davis | KO | 9 (12), | Jul 8, 1990 | ||
| 29 | Win | 27–1–1 | Lloyd Honeyghan | TKO | 3 (12) | Mar 3, 1990 | ||
| 28 | Win | 26–1–1 | Fujio Ozaki | TKO | 4 (12), | Dec 10, 1989 | ||
| 27 | Win | 25–1–1 | Mauro Martelli | TKO | 2 (12), | Oct 13, 1989 | ||
| 26 | Win | 24–1–1 | Rafael Pineda | TKO | 5 (12), | Apr 22, 1989 | ||
| 25 | Win | 23–1–1 | Seung-Soon Lee | TKO | 1 (12), | Feb 4, 1989 | ||
| 24 | Win | 22–1–1 | Ozzie O'Neal | KO | 1 (10), | Oct 7, 1988 | ||
| 23 | Win | 21–1–1 | Pablo Baez | KO | 1 (10), | Aug 11, 1988 | ||
| 22 | Draw | 20–1–1 | Marlon Starling | SD | 12 | Apr 16, 1988 | ||
| 21 | Win | 20–1 | Juan Alonso Villa | TKO | 3 (10), | Feb 5, 1988 | ||
| 20 | Win | 19–1 | Javier Suazo | UD | 10 | Dec 5, 1987 | ||
| 19 | Loss | 18–1 | Marlon Starling | TKO | 11 (15), | Aug 22, 1987 | ||
| 18 | Win | 18–0 | Juan Bautista Rondon | UD | 10 | Jul 10, 1987 | ||
| 17 | Win | 17–0 | Harold Volbrecht | TKO | 7 (15), | Feb 6, 1987 | ||
| 16 | Win | 16–0 | Orlando Orozco | TKO | 2 (10), | Nov 13, 1986 | ||
| 15 | Win | 15–0 | Ralph Twinning | KO | 1 (10), | Oct 15, 1986 | ||
| 14 | Win | 14–0 | Reggie Miller | KO | 2 (10), | Sep 14, 1986 | ||
| 13 | Win | 13–0 | John Munduga | TKO | 6 (10), | Jun 21, 1986 | ||
| 12 | Win | 12–0 | Ricky Avendano | KO | 1 (10), | May 15, 1986 | ||
| 11 | Win | 11–0 | Darryl Anthony | TKO | 3 (10), | Apr 12, 1986 | ||
| 10 | Win | 10–0 | Richard Aguirre | KO | 1 (10), | Mar 2, 1986 | ||
| 9 | Win | 9–0 | Troy Wortham | UD | 10 | Jan 25, 1986 | ||
| 8 | Win | 8–0 | Hedgemon Robertson | UD | 8 | Dec 21, 1985 | ||
| 7 | Win | 7–0 | Donald Gwinn | KO | 2 (8), | Oct 18, 1985 | ||
| 6 | Win | 6–0 | Don Shiver | TKO | 1 (8), | Jul 20, 1985 | ||
| 5 | Win | 5–0 | Dario DeJesus | KO | 2 (6), | Jun 19, 1985 | ||
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | Vince Dunfee | KO | 2 (6), | May 17, 1985 | ||
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Steve Little | UD | 6 | Apr 6, 1985 | ||
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Marlon Palmer | UD | 6 | Jan 5, 1985 | ||
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Dwight Williams | UD | 6 | Nov 15, 1984 |
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