DaVarryl Jerome Williamson (born July 25, 1968) is an American former professional boxer. A highly-touted amateur, he challenged once for the IBF world heavyweight title in 2005. Early and personal life Williamson was raised in poverty in the inner city Washington D.C., born to a mother addicted to drugs and a criminal father. He spent his youth moving between foster homes and between schools until his father chose to resume contact at the age of 11. An accomplished high school football star, he attended Rochester Community and Technical College in Minnesota on a scholarship. Williamson later transferred on a scholarship to play for NCAA Division II Wayne State College in Nebraska, graduating in 1993. He is married to Jennifer Williamson. Boxing career Amateur career Williamson started boxing as an amateur at the age of 25. In January 1995, he received an offer to join the U.S. Olympic Education Center in Marquette, Michigan, in order to qualify at the 1996 Summer Olympics. Williamson failed to qualify, but joined the team as an alternate. Standing 6 ft 3 in tall, Williamson gained popularity for his punching power, mainly for his clubbing right-hand haymaker, which became known as "Touch of Sleep". As an amateur, Williamson won the National Golden Gloves heavyweight championships in 1996 and 1999, and United States national amateur championships in 1996, 1997 and 1998 and built a record of 120 wins, 17 losses and 1 draw, with 103 wins coming by knockout (88% KO rate). Highlights 1996 Olympic Trials Heavyweight Defeated Harold Sconiers KO 1 Defeated David Washington KO Lost to Nate Jones on points 1996 Challengers Olympics Heavyweight Defeated Lamon Brewster on points 1996 Olympics Heavyweight Box-Offs Lost to Nate Jones on points 1997 United States Heavyweight Championships Defeated James Jackson KO 1 Defeated Terry Smith KO 2 Defeated Calvin Brock KO 3 1997 World Championships in Budapest (Heavyweight) Defeated Garth da Silva (N-Z) on points Lost to Mark Simmons] (Can) on points 1998 Tournament in Tampere, Finland (Heavyweight) Defeated Kai Brankarr (Fin) TKO 1 1998 United States Heavyweight Championships Defeated Sam Sleezer TKO 2 Defeated Kevin Montly TKO 1 Defeated Stanley McClain KO 3 Defeated Calvin Brock on points 1998 Goodwill Games (Heavyweight) Defeated Mocerino KO 1 Defeated Kshinin KO 2 Lost to Félix Savón (Cub) KO 1 1999: United States Heavyweight Championships Defeated Sifou Sua KO 4 Lost to Jason Estrada on points 1999: Golden Gloves (Heavyweight)