Tarick Salmaci

Tarick Salmaci (born February 28, 1972) is a Lebanese-American former professional boxer and NABO (North American Boxing Organization) middleweight champion. He was one of 16 boxers chosen worldwide to participate on season 1 of NBC's reality television series The Contender.

Amateur career

Salmaci began his boxing career at the age of 8 at Kronk Gym in Detroit. He compiled an amateur record of 136-12, and a spot in the Olympic Trials where he fought his way to the finals, just missing the U.S. Olympic team.

At Kronk Gym, Salmaci had the opportunity to spar with other fighters such as Thomas Hearns, Gerald McClennan, James Toney, Oba Carr, Mark Breland. He went on to become a 6-time State champion, 4-time Midwest champion, and 3-time US national champion.

Professional career

Salmaci turned professional after the Olympic Trials. He signed with manager Jackie Kallen and was trained by Emanuel Steward. He was also briefly trained by controversial trainer Panama Lewis.

Salmaci was rated as high as 4th in the world by the WBO and 6th in the world by the WBC. Salmaci won the North American Boxing Organization's super middleweight title on March 11, 1997 in Phoenix, Arizona. He then signed to fight Joe Calzaghe for the WBO super middleweight championship but pulled out of the fight after a dispute with his management.

Salmaci won his first eighteen professional bouts and finished his career in May 2005 with an overall record of nineteen wins and three loses.

In the first season of NBC's reality show The Contender, Salmaci was one of 16 fighters chosen worldwide to participate on the show, Although Salmaci lost in the first round of the show's tournament, he was voted back as a "fan favorite" to fight once more.

Salmaci has a Bachelors of Arts degree from the University of Michigan. He also invests in real estate development. He is married and has one daughter.