Virgil Hill is a Hall of Fame American boxer of partly Native American heritage, who forged a solid connection between the state of North Dakota and the sport of boxing. After winning the silver medal at middleweight in the 1984 Olympic Games, he went on to become a four-time world champion as a professional, including winning the LinealWBA/IBF light-heavyweight titles and the WBA cruiserweight title.

As an amateur, Virgil Hill ran up a record of 288-11 and won the National Golden Gloves at middleweight. Having secured a berth on the famed 1984 Olympic Boxing Team, Hill won a silver medal. He turned pro in November 1984, debuting as a middleweight.

Virgil Hill stood 6 foot with a 77" reach and spent most of his career campaigning as a light heavyweight. In his early boxing career, Virgil Hill spent a lot of time on the road, but he never forgot his adopted home in North Dakota. As one of the few sports stars to emerge from that state, Hill found it easy and rewarding to build a loyal following there. As time went on, many of Hill's fights were staged in his home state.

In September 1987, Virgil "Quicksilver" Hill was undefeated in 18 fights and set to meet Leslie Stewart of Trinidad and Tobago for the WBA Light Heavyweight crown. Stewart won the title.

The long reign stood as a testament to the consistency and professionalism of the man, and it earned him a big money fight against living legend Tommy "The Hitman" Hearns. Hearns was the underdog going into that fight, as he was regarded as too small and too old for the seasoned and proven Hill. But Surpsingly, Hill had lost his undefeated status and title to Hearns.

His second reign was, if anything, more impressive than his first. In his first defense, Virgil Hill whipped Kentuckian and future cruiserweight champion Adolpho Washington. Then Hill traveled to France and defeated future light heavyweight and cruiserweight champion Fabrice Tiozzo. He also outpointed an undefeated Lou Del Valle, who would also go on to win a 175 lbs. title.

The crowning achievement of his second reign would come in November 1996, when Hill traveled to Germany to do battle with Henry Maske. He went home as the WBA-IBF champion and the clear top dog of his division.

After a string of losses, Virgil Hill looked old and beatable, and suddenly Roy Jones was very interested in fighting him. Meeting in April 1998, Hill managed to give Jones plenty of trouble with his masterful jab for a few rounds, but ultimately succumbed to Jones's superlative speed. Landing a withering hook to the body that snapped Hill's ribs, Jones put the veteran former champion down and out. Hill was in so much pain that he simply couldn't get back on his feet. It was his third defeat, and his first knockout.

In 2000, Hill went out and destroyed Fabrice Tiozzo, knocking him down three times in the first round and producing a stunning first round knockout. It was The Ring magazine's Comeback of the Year.

Virgil Hill last fought in November 2007. He retired with a record of 50 wins (23 KOs) and 7 losses.

Boxing, Hall of Fame, North Dakota,