| BoxingTalk Story |
 |
05/10/2006
Edited Press Release: Arkansas heavyweight JD "The Natural" Chapman has entered the WBC's world ratings at #14. The 23-year-old Chapman (25-0, 22 KOs) has fought ten times in the year he has worked with manager Scott Hirsch. Along the way, he's picked up some regional titles and the Arkansas State heavyweight championship.  "I"m proud of JD," said Hirsch. "Here you have a kid with no amateur experience and he's worked extremely hard and fought his way to within reach of a heavyweight title shot. When I met him, you could see he had talent, but in one year, he's used his relentless determination to make himself into a winner." Chapman has been busy lately, serving as Barrett's sparring partner, and knocking out Chris Lewallen and Ray Lunsford in two rounds apiece his last two times out. Chapman joins #10 Peter Okhello, who is likely the next challenger for Oleg Maskaev, in the WBC ratings. Chapman is rated ahead of the following, who were not included in the WBC's top 15: John Ruiz, Sultan Ibragimov, Calvin Brock, Monte Barrett, Ray Austin, Shannon Briggs.
