Terrell Gausha Bio
Terrell Maurice Gausha is an American professional boxer born on 9 September 1987 in Cleveland, Ohio. Known by the ring name “Terrible,” he has competed at the international amateur level and challenged for a world title in the professional ranks. Standing 5 feet 10 inches tall with a 72-inch reach, Gausha fights out of an orthodox stance in the light middleweight and middleweight divisions. He turned professional in November 2012 and has built a record marked by durable performances against top opposition.
Early Life and Background
Terrell Maurice Gausha grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, where he has lived most of his life. He graduated from Glenville High School in 2005, completing his formal education in the same neighborhood where he first learned to box. The Cleveland area has long produced competitive fighters, and Gausha benefited from that local boxing culture during his formative years.
Gausha began boxing at the age of 10, training out of The Glenville Recreation Center under coach Bob Davis. Davis introduced him to the fundamentals of the sport and helped lay the foundation for his technical development. He was later coached by Renard Safo, who continued to refine his in-ring skills as he progressed through the amateur ranks.
Path to Boxing
Gausha’s amateur career gained national attention when he won the USA National Title in 2009. That same year, he represented the United States at the World Amateur Boxing Championships and also competed in several international dual matches. Between 2010 and 2012, he gained valuable experience as a member of USA Boxing’s team in the World Series of Boxing, where he posted a 5–2 record.
In February 2012, Gausha entered the USA Championship tournament in Colorado Springs, Colorado, as an unseeded at-large entry and produced one of the most impressive runs in the event’s recent history. He defeated a National Golden Gloves champion, the second-ranked national boxer, and the previous number one fighter, winning six bouts over a seven-day span. On March 3, 2012, he captured the USA National Championship by defeating previous champion Caleb Plant. The title earned him a berth in the Americas Olympic Qualification Tournament in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where he won the gold medal in May 2012 by defeating Junior Castillo 6–2 and secured a place at the Olympic Games.
Terrell Gausha Career
Early Career (2012–2016)
Terrell Maurice Gausha made his professional debut on November 9, 2012, stopping Dustin Caplinger by knockout on a ShoBox-televised card. The early stretch of his career was a steady climb through regional opposition, with Gausha building a record built on disciplined boxing and accumulated ring time. In his fourth professional fight, he was knocked down by William Waters but recovered to win a four-round unanimous decision, showing the kind of resilience that became a hallmark of his style.
Through his first several years as a professional, Gausha compiled a consistent string of victories that established him as a credible contender. He regularly appeared on televised undercards, gaining exposure against progressively tougher opposition while maintaining a reputation as a tough, technically sound fighter.
World Title Challenge (2017)
On August 12, 2017, it was announced that Gausha would challenge World Boxing Association (Super) and International Boxing Organization champion Erislandy Lara. The bout was part of a light middleweight triple header on October 14, 2017, at the Barclays Center in New York City, a card that also featured Jermell Charlo defending against Erickson Lubin and Jarrett Hurd facing Austin Trout. Lara knocked down Gausha en route to a 12-round unanimous decision to retain his world titles, winning the scorecards 116–111 and 117–110 twice. Although the result was a loss, the opportunity placed Gausha on the world stage.
Gausha returned to action shortly after the Lara fight and bounced back with a first-round technical knockout win over Joey Hernandez. The victory reaffirmed his status as a competitive name in the 154-pound division following his first world title appearance.
Contender Years (2019–2021)
On May 25, 2019, Gausha, ranked No. 13 by the WBA, faced Austin Trout, who was ranked No. 6 by the WBC at the time. Gausha looked dominant through most of the fight and was widely given a wide lead on the scorecards, though the judges returned a majority draw with one card of 99-91 for Gausha, another of 96-94 for Trout, and an even 95-95 score. He followed that result with a WBC super-welterweight title eliminator against Erickson Lubin, who won comfortably on the scorecards, 118–110, 116-112 and 115–113.
On March 13, 2021, Gausha knocked out Jamontay Clark in the second round at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, producing one of the most decisive performances of his later career and signaling his intent to remain active at the top level of the middleweight division.
Middleweight Push (2024–2026)
Gausha was scheduled to challenge Carlos Adames for the WBC middleweight title at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on June 15, 2024. He lost the fight by unanimous decision in a competitive championship opportunity at middleweight. The following year, on January 3, 2025, it was reported that Gausha would face Elijah Garcia on February 15, 2025. He lost the bout against Garcia by split decision on March 22, 2025, in Las Vegas.
Gausha next faced Yoenlis Hernández for the vacant WBO-NABO middleweight title at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on 28 March 2026. He lost the contest by stoppage in the fourth round, continuing his run of high-profile matchups at middleweight.
Style and Strengths
Terrell Maurice Gausha fights out of an orthodox stance and uses a 72-inch reach to control range against most middleweight and light middleweight opponents. His style is built on a tight guard, steady jab work, and the kind of patient pressure that has carried him through twelve-round fights against top-tier opposition. He has shown a willingness to engage when openings appear, while also possessing the technical discipline to box from the outside when required.
Notable Events and Milestones
Gausha’s career has been defined by major-stage appearances, including his 2012 Olympic debut where he knocked out Andranik Hakobyan of Armenia before being eliminated by a controversial decision against India’s Vijender Singh. His 2017 challenge of Erislandy Lara for the WBA super welterweight title and his later WBC middleweight title opportunity against Carlos Adies stand as the clearest high points of his professional résumé, along with the 2021 second-round knockout of Jamontay Clark.
Terrell Gausha Career Wins
Terrell Maurice Gausha has compiled a professional record defined by consistency, durability, and the willingness to face elite opposition. Across his career in the light middleweight and middleweight divisions, he has secured 24 victories, including 12 by knockout, and has continued to schedule himself against ranked contenders at every stage.
Professional Highlights
Gausha’s first professional win came by knockout over Dustin Caplinger in November 2012, a debut that immediately announced his arrival on the national stage. His most recent verified knockout victory was a second-round stoppage of Jamontay Clark on March 13, 2021, one of the most decisive results of his career. He has also registered wins over a number of durable veterans in the 154 and 160-pound divisions, building a reputation as a tough, gatekeeping-level operator.
Other Performances
In addition to his verified professional results, Gausha captured the 2009 USA National Amateur Title and won the gold medal at the 2012 Americas Olympic Qualification Tournament. Those amateur accomplishments formed the foundation of his professional opportunities and helped establish him as a recognizable American middleweight prospect on the international circuit.
Terrell Gausha Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Terrell Maurice Gausha was raised in Cleveland, Ohio, the same city where he continues to be associated with the local boxing community. His early development took place at The Glenville Recreation Center under coach Bob Davis, and he was later guided by Renard Safo, both of whom served as formative influences in his boxing upbringing.
Personal Life
Gausha is best known publicly through his boxing career and his ring name “Terrible.” He attended Glenville High School in Cleveland, where he graduated in 2005, and has remained closely tied to the city that shaped his career.
2025 Season Performance
Terrell Maurice Gausha entered 2025 looking to reassert himself as a contender in the middleweight division following his 2024 WBC title challenge against Carlos Adames. A January 3, 2025 report confirmed that he would face Elijah Garcia, a rising contender, on February 15, 2025, in a high-stakes matchup designed to put him back in the title picture. The bout was ultimately held on March 22, 2025, in Las Vegas, where Garcia took a split decision in a closely contested fight that again showcased Gausha’s ability to compete at championship level.
Although the result kept him outside the immediate title mix, Gausha’s 2025 schedule reflected his continued willingness to face dangerous, ascending opponents. The Garcia fight reinforced his reputation as a reliable test for young middleweights, a role that has kept him active on major Las Vegas cards throughout the latter stages of his career.