Brunch Boxing Remembers: Will Grigsby
- Matthew Brown
- Feb 20
- 3 min read
02/20/2026
“Steel Will” Will Grigsby carved out one of the most unique careers in modern boxing history, accomplishing more in a short number of fights than many fighters do in twice the time.
As a three time world champion and one of the finest pound for pound fighters his state ever produced, Will Grigsby remains a fighter whose skill and accomplishments continue to earn respect long after the final bell.
Born on March 19, 1970 in Saint Paul, Minnesota, William Henry Grigsby was regarded as one of the most skilled fighters ever to come out of Minnesota. During his time, the American boxer became a two time IBF Junior Flyweight champion and also held the WBO Junior Flyweight title. Grigsby was known for his sharp counter punching, tight defense, and natural instincts.
Grigsby turned professional in 1988 after winning three Upper Midwest Golden Gloves titles at junior flyweight. In only his second pro fight he faced future Hall of Famer Michael Carbajal, who was making his own professional debut. The bout took place on the undercard of the famous fight between Roberto Duran and Iran Barkley in Atlantic City. Instead of being an easy night for Carbajal, the fight was competitive from start to finish. Carbajal scored a knockdown in the final round and escaped with a narrow split decision, but the performance showed that Grigsby belonged at the highest level.
After stepping away from the sport for several years, Grigsby returned in the mid 1990s with renewed focus. Working with trainer Dennis Presley and manager Rory Rowe, he quickly climbed the ranks and captured the USBA flyweight title in 1996. By 1998 he entered a world title fight with a record of 12 wins, one loss, and one draw, facing Ratanapol Sor Vorapin for the vacant IBF Junior Flyweight championship. Grigsby dominated the fight and won a clear decision to claim his first world title. He defended the belt once before meeting undefeated legend Ricardo Lopez in 1999. The bout was tactical and intense, with both fighters suffering cuts, but Lopez won the decision and took the title.
In 2000, Grigsby challenged Nelson Dieppa for the vacant WBO Junior Flyweight championship and won by decision to capture his second world title. The result was later changed to a no decision after he tested positive for marijuana and the title was taken away, but his performance in the ring again showed his elite ability.
Grigsby fought only occasionally over the next few years but remained one of the most talented fighters in the lighter weight classes. In 2005 he earned another title opportunity against IBF champion Victor Burgos. Using quick combinations, sharp jabs, and slick defense, Grigsby outboxed the champion and won his third world title. He lost the belt in his first defense to Ulises Solis and was unable to regain it in a rematch in 2007 when the fight was stopped because of an eye injury. After that bout, he decided to retire.
Grigsby finished his career with only 24 professional fights, yet he won three world titles and faced some of the best fighters of his era. Historians often call him the best boxer to come out of Minnesota in decades. Inside the ring he seemed to glide across the canvas, snapping his jab and countering with a sharp left hook that could change a fight in an instant. He was difficult to hit clean and always carried the toughness he developed growing up in the Selby Dale neighborhood of Saint Paul.
Subscribe to the Brunch Boxing website, Twitter and Podcast for more updates and in-depth coverage of the world of boxing in and out of the ring.
Brunch Boxing Support Links:
Comments