# Mark Breland

Mark Anthony Breland (born May 11, 1963) is an American retired world champion boxer who won five New York Golden Gloves titles and a gold medal at the 1984 Olympics, was awarded the 1982 Boxer of the Year by USAABF, and rated #1 amateur welterweight in the world by AIBA in 1984. He later became an actor with a wide range of movie and television credits, having made his debut in The Lords of Discipline, and also appeared in the music video for The Pointer Sisters' 1985 hit single, "Dare Me." At 6' and two and a half inches tall, Breland is one of the tallest World Welterweight champions of all time. == Amateur career == Breland, who was born in Brooklyn, New York, began fighting when he was 9 years old, taking on challengers in the lobby and hallways of the housing project which happened to be his home.