Dancuta, Dan

Daniel Rica Dancuta

Dancuta was a heavyweight in the early 1990s. The Romanian-born fighter compiled an outstanding 16-3 record before retiring in 1995 after a 3-year career.

Birth and Death Dates:
b. May 28, 1971

Career Highlights:
Born in Romania, Dancuta began his professional career in 1992 and fought out of Irvine, California. After winning his first career fight on June 25 on a four-round decision over Rudy Gutierrez, Dan won his two remaining fights that year on first-round knockouts. Dancuta then won his first two fights the following year before losing to former Olympian Larry Donald in June 1993 in a six-round decision. Winning three more fights that year, he then competed in a tournament in Bay St. Louis in December.

Billed as the "People's Choice One-Night Heavyweight Tournament," the contest brought many of the top boxers in the division together for an elimination tournament of three-round bouts. The tournament took place on December 3, and Dancuta defeated contender Derrick Roddy in his first fight on a first-round technical knockout. Dan then went on to defeat former WBA world champ James "Bonecrusher" Smith in the semifinal in a three-round decision. In the championship bout, Dancuta fought another former world champ, Tony "TNT" Tubbs, and lost a unanimous decision.

Following the tournament, Dancuta did not fight again until May 1994, when he faced Dwayne Hill in Ledyard, Connecticut, and won on a first-round technical knockout. Dan remained in Connecticut for the next three months and won all three of his fights, two by knockout. In 1995, Dancuta's final year of professional boxing, he defeated Craig Payne and Jordan Keepers before losing to IBO champion Jimmy Thunder in a non-title fight in May 1995. Dancuta retired after the fight, having won 16 of 19 career fights.

Origin:
Bacau, Romania

Physical description:
6'3"

Career Statistics:
Professional record:
Wins: 16 (11 by knockout)
Losses: 3
Draws: 0

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