Grégory "Cheetah" Choplin (born 15 November 1980 in Saint-Denis) is a French-Ivorian Middleweight and Super Middleweight Muay Thai kickboxer.[1]

Grégory Choplin
Grégory Choplin at Battle in the Desert II, 2013
Born (1980-11-15) November 15, 1980 (age 43)
Saint-Denis, Paris, France
Other namesCheetah
NationalityFrench
Ivorian
Height1.84 m (6 ft 12 in)
Weight75.0 kg (165.3 lb; 11.81 st)
DivisionSuper Middleweight
Middleweight
Reach74 in (190 cm)
StyleMuay Thai, Kickboxing
StanceOrthodox
Fighting out ofMiami, Florida, United States
TeamDEREK boxing
Years active2000-present
Kickboxing record
Total67
Wins57
By knockout23
Losses10
By knockout3
Last updated on: March 27, 2014

Choplin currently fights out of DEREK boxing in la Courneuve. He is from Saint-Denis, Paris, France. He is a two-time Muay Thai world champion who has had several title fights within the It's Showtime organization and is widely thought of as one of the top kickboxers in France.[2]

Career edit

After winning titles at youth and amateur level, Choplin would he would turn professional at the age of 20 and won his first professional title, the French Class A championship, a few years later in 2004. The same year he was selected to represent France at the amateur world Muaythai championships in Bangkok, Thailand, reaching the semi-finals and claiming a bronze medal.[3][4]

Between 2001 and 2006 Choplin would be virtually unbeatable at home, having defeated top domestic talent such as Frank Nadje and Yohan Lidon. In order to seek greater challenges, Gregory started to compete outside France where his growing reputation got him a world title shot against Vincent Vielvoye in 2006. Despite having beating Vielvoye a few months early (albeit with some controversy) Choplin was seen as the underdog in the battle for the W.P.K.L. belt. After four rounds, however, Gregory was the new champion, defeating the home fighter in front of a partisan Dutch crowd via technical knockout.[5]

In 2007, Choplin would sign a professional contract with the It's Showtime organization, becoming the first and (so far) only Frenchman to sign a contract with the Dutch kickboxing giants.[6] Signing with the organization meant Gregory would face the best fighters in Europe on a regular basis. That year he also won a second world title, defeating Jan de Keyzer in Santander to become the W.F.C.A. champion.[7][8] In 2008 he would participate as a wildcard entry in the bi-annual It's Showtime 75MAX trophy, reaching the final where he lost to Dmitry Shakuta. He was also selected as a contestant for the It's Showtime Reality Show, reaching the semi-final stage only to lose to Brazilian Muay Thai supremo Cosmo Alexandre via a devastating knee KO after an extra round in what was an exciting fight.[9]

Gregory bounced back from his recent setups by picking up a number of useful domestic wins against Cédric Muller and Yohan Lidon as well as winning several fights within the It's Showtime organization throughout 2008 and the start of 2009. These results got Choplin a rematch against previous conqueror Dmitry Shakuta for Dmitry's It's Showtime 77MAX title. Choplin was unable to gain revenge for his earlier loss in his failed bid for the title in Budapest, losing a hard five round contest.[10] Throughout 2010 Gregory focused on the domestic scene picking up a good win against top local fighter Moussa Konate. In 2011 Choplin fought in America for the first time, being on the wrong end of an upset when he lost against Ky Hollenbeck - the winner getting a shot at Choplin's old foe Yohan Lidon for the W.B.C. Muaythai world title.[11]

He faced Joe Valtellini at Lion Fight 7 in Las Vegas on October 13, 2012, and won via decision.[12][13]

Choplin lost to Yodsanklai Fairtex by way of third-round KO at Lion Fight 8 in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA on January 25, 2013.[14][15][16]

He bounced back with a points win over Gil Silva at Le Choc des Légendes 2013 in Paris, France, on March 9, 2013.[17]

He was scheduled to fight Duochonlek at the WBC World Muay Thai Millennium Championship in Saint-Pierre, Réunion on September 7, 2013[18] but the card fell through.[19]

He defeated Marco Piqué via UD in the main event of Lion Fight 14 in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States on March 28, 2014.[20][21]

He faced Hichem Menaouine at Golden fight 3 in La Courneuve on June 6, 2015, for the W.M.C (World Muaythai Council) title and won via decision.[22]

Choplin defeated Ramon Kübler by TKO(Cut) at 2R on April 14, 2016, at Espace Venise in Sarcelles, Val-d'Oise, France. He retained his WBC Muaythai World title [23]

Titles edit

Professional

Amateur

  • 2004 I.F.M.A. World Muaythai Championships in Bangkok, Thailand   -75 kg

Professional kickboxing record edit

Professional Kickboxing Record
58 Wins (23 (T)KO's), 10 Losses, Draw, No Contest
Date Result Opponent Event Location Method Round Time
2016-04-14 Win   Ramon Kubler soirée Boxe anglaise et Muaythai Sarcelles, France TKO (cut) 2 2:55
For WBC Muaythai Super Middleweight World title (-168lb/-76.2 kg).
2015-06-06 Win   Hichem Menaouine Golden Fight 3 La Courneuve, France Decision (unanimous) 5 3:00
For WMC World Muaythai Super Middleweight title (-76.2 kg).
2014-03-28 Win   Marco Piqué Lion Fight 14 Las Vegas, Nevada, USA Decision (unanimous) 5 3:00
2013-05-05 Win   Luis Reis
For WBC World Muaythai Super Middleweight title (-76.2 kg).
2013-03-09 Win   Gil Silva Le Choc des Légendes 2013 Paris, France Decision 5 3:00
2013-01-25 Loss   Yodsanklai Fairtex Lion Fight 8 Las Vegas, Nevada, USA KO (punches) 3 2:40
2012-10-13 Win   Joe Valtellini Lion Fight 7 Las Vegas, Nevada, USA Decision 5 3:00
2012-04-21 Win   Mohamed Abdellahim La Nuit des Combattants 2 Persan, France TKO 1
2012-03-24 Win   Chris Ngimbi Thaiboxing Showtime 3 Hazebrouck, France Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2011-05-14 Win   Chaz Mulkey Battle in the Desert 5 Las Vegas, NV, USA Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00
2011-12-07 Loss   Yohan Lidon A1 WCC Lyon Lyon, France TKO (Doctor Stoppage) 4
Fight was for WBC World Muaythai Middleweight title (-72.500 kg).
2011-11-12 Loss   Abdallah Mabel La 18ème Nuit des Champions Marseille, France Decision 5 3:00
Fight was for W.P.M.F. World Muaythai title -72.500 kg.
2011-09-10 Win   Dave Zuniga Canadian Fighting Championship 7 Winnipeg, Canada TKO 2
Wins IKF Intercontinental Middleweight title.
2011-05-14 Loss   Ky Hollenbeck Battle in the Desert 2[24] Primm, NV, USA Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00
Fight was for W.B.C. Interim world middleweight title -72.6 kg.
2011-01-07 Win   Rachid Boumalek Fight in Spirit Epernay, France KO 3
2010-06-10 Win   Jonathan Camara Ultimate Thai 5 Paris, France Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00
2010-04-24 Win   Moussa Konaté Fight Zone 4 Villeurbanne, France Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00
2009-08-29 Loss   Dmitry Shakuta It's Showtime 2009 Budapest Budapest, Hungary Decision 5 3:00
Fight was for Shakuta's It's Showtime 77MAX world title -77 kg.
2009-03-14 Win   Franco Lazarro Oktagon presents: It's Showtime 2009 Milan, Italy Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2008-12-06 Win   Cédric Muller Le Choc Des Légendes III Paris, France TKO (Cut) 3
2008-09-06 Win   William Etzler It's Showtime 2008 Alkmaar Alkmaar, Netherlands TKO (Ref Stop/3 Knockdowns) 1
2008-06-07 Win   Yohan Lidon La Nuit des Challenges 5 Lyon, France Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00
2008-04-? Loss   Cosmo Alexandre It's Showtime Reality Show '08, Semi-final Koh Samui, Thailand Ext.R KO (Knee) 4
2008-03-15 Loss   Dmitry Shakuta It's Showtime Trophy Final '08, Final 's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands Decision 3 3:00
Fight was for It's Showtime 75MAX Trophy -75 kg.
2008-03-15 Win   Mohammed Rahhaoui It's Showtime Trophy Final '08, Semi-final 's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands Decision 3 3:00
2008-03-15 Win   Alviar Lima It's Showtime Trophy Final '08, Quarter-final 's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2007-06-30 Win   Jan de Keyzer W.F.C.A. Gala Santander, Spain Decision 5 3:00
Wins W.F.C.A. Thai-boxing super middleweight world title -76.2 kg.
2007-03-24 Loss   Mohammed Rahhaoui Fights at the Border V, Elimination Fight Lommel, Belgium Decision 3 3:00
Despite defeat qualifies for It's Showtime Trophy Final '08 as a wildcard.
2006-04-15 Win   Vincent Vielvoye East Side 5 Gorinchem, Netherlands TKO 4
Wins W.P.K.L. Muaythai super middleweight world title -76 kg.
2006-02-18 Win   Vincent Vielvoye It's Showtime 2006 Belgium, Super Fight Mortsel, Belgium Decision 5 3:00
2005-10-22 Win   Yohan Lidon La Nuit des Superfights II Villebon, France Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00
2005-05-07 Win   Frank Nadje La Nuit des Superfights Villebon, France Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00
2002-11-30 Loss   Cico Zerbini Kickboxing Mondiale 3 Padova, Italy Decision 5 2:00
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest   Notes

Amateur kickboxing record edit

Amateur Kickboxing Record
Date Result Opponent Event Location Method Round Time
2006-11-10 Loss   Dimitry Kirpan I.F.M.A. Muaythai World Championships '04, Semi-final -75 kg Bangkok, Thailand Decision 4 2:00
Wins I.F.M.A. World Muaythai Championships '04 Bronze Medal -75 kg.
2006-11-08 Win   Kazimbek I.F.M.A. Muaythai World Championships '04, Quarter-final -75 kg Bangkok, Thailand Decision 4 2:00
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest   Notes

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ BOXE : Victoire de Grégory Choplin au Choc des Légendes! lesbonnesnews.com (10 mars 2013)
  2. ^ "Gregory Choplin Facebook (Personal Details e.g. D.O.B etc - In French)". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  3. ^ "Grégory Choplin à 19h dans "ça dit quoi"! - Generations 88.2 (Biography detailing early career - in French)". generationsfm.com. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  4. ^ "MUAYTHAITV - Un fructueux championnat du monde pour la France (Info on world championships '04 - in French)". fr.muaythaitv.com. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  5. ^ "Results WPKL titlefights April" (in Dutch). www.kickbox.nl. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  6. ^ "interview of Gregory Choplin - SIAM FIGHT MAG (Mentions signing contract with It's Showtime)". www.siamfightmag.com. Retrieved 2011-04-23.[permanent dead link]
  7. ^ "W.F.C.A. THAIBOXING - World Full Contact Association (Current W.F.C.A. champions)". www.wfca.info. Retrieved 2011-04-23.[permanent dead link]
  8. ^ "Quinto título mundial para Abraham Roqueñi « CINTURON NEGRO (Mentions WFCA title fight result - In Spanish)". cinturonnegro.wordpress.com. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  9. ^ "Cosmo Alexandre vs. Gregory Choplin (Fight Video Link)". www.mixfight.nl. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  10. ^ "IT'S SHOWTIME BUDAPEST (HONGRIE) 29.08.09 (In French)". www.thaipowergym.com/. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  11. ^ "Battle in the Desert 2: Cosmo Alexandre Wins US Debut; Ky Hollenbeck Wins WBC Title". www.headkicklegend.com. Retrieved 2011-05-16.
  12. ^ Lion Fight 7 Streaming Live This Saturday. Liverkick.com. Retrieved on 2015-12-29.
  13. ^ Weekend Results: Eddie Walker KO's Joe Schilling. Liverkick.com. Retrieved on 2015-12-29.
  14. ^ Yodsanklai Fairtex vs. Gregory Choplin To Headline Lion Fight 8 On AXS TV. Liverkick.com (2012-05-03). Retrieved on 2015-12-29.
  15. ^ Lion Fight 8 Full Fight Card, Tickets On Sale December 14. Liverkick.com. Retrieved on 2015-12-29.
  16. ^ Walsh, Dave (23 January 2013) Lion Fight 8 Live Results. Liverkick.com
  17. ^ Scalia, Rian (10 March 2013) Weekend Results From France: Tate Avenges Loss, Ozkul Gets DQ Win. Liverkick.com. Retrieved on 2015-12-29.
  18. ^ Sanderson, C.C. (16 May 2013) HUGE France vs. Thailand Card Announced: Yodsanklai, Saenchai, Kem and More Headline. fightsportasia.com
  19. ^ Updated Super Middleweight Rankings. muaythaiauthority.com (14 October 2013)
  20. ^ Lion Fight 14 Results. liverkick.com
  21. ^ Lion Fight 14 Results and Recap. muaythaiauthority.com (29 March 2014)
  22. ^ "CHOPLIN, RENAHY, FRANCOISE, EHOUO, PAYAKDAM vainqueurs".
  23. ^ "Grégory CHOPLIN toujours champion du monde WBC".
  24. ^ "Lion Fight Promotions "Battle in the Desert 2" event recap". www.muaythaiauthority.com. Archived from the original on 2011-05-19. Retrieved 2011-05-16.

External links edit