Calvin Grove

Calvin Grove, known as “Silky Smooth,” is an American former professional boxer who competed primarily at featherweight, super featherweight, and lightweight. His professional career spanned from 1982 to 1998. Grove boxed out of an orthodox stance and stood 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm) tall. He was born and resided in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, USA. Over his career, Grove compiled a record of 59 fights, 49 wins (18 by knockout), 10 losses, and 0 draws.

Grove made his professional debut on June 3, 1982, and began his career successfully, winning his first 32 fights. His earlier success included capturing the USBA featherweight championship on June 28, 1985, a title he held until January 1988. On January 23, 1988, Grove reached the pinnacle of the featherweight division by capturing the International Boxing Federation (IBF) featherweight title with a technical knockout (TKO) victory over Antonio Rivera in Somme, France. He defended the title successfully once. Grove’s reign as IBF champion lasted 193 days.

His first title defence loss occurred on August 4, 1988, when he lost the IBF belt to Jorge Páez via a majority decision in Mexico. This bout was notable as it was one of the last scheduled 15-round fights in boxing, and Grove was knocked down three times in the decisive final round. The extreme heat during the fight, which took place in a bull ring in Mexicali, was cited as a significant factor working against Grove, who suffered from dehydration. In a rematch with Páez the following year, Grove was stopped via TKO in the 11th round.

Following the loss of his world title, Grove moved up in weight, citing that making the featherweight limit was too difficult. He subsequently secured the USBA super featherweight championship in 1989. Grove later challenged two future Hall of Fame fighters for world titles at higher weight classes: he lost a decision to WBC super featherweight champion Azumah Nelson in 1992, and in 1994, he was stopped by WBC lightweight champion Miguel Ángel González via TKO. Among his most recognised career victories are two wins over former world champion Lester Ellis. He also achieved a significant victory on June 7, 1993, knocking out International Boxing Hall of Fame member Jeff Fenech in seven rounds.

Grove was known for his technical skill in the ring, with his manager noting that he was a fierce competitor with “nerves of steel” who faced high-level opponents worldwide. His professional boxing career concluded in April 1998 after a 1st-round knockout loss to Kostya Tszyu, fighting at 141 pounds, his highest career weight.