Career
Scottland"s career record was 20-7-2, with nine of his victories coming by knockout. By contrast he was only knocked out twice in his career. On June 26, 2001, Scottland stepped in the ring to face George Khalid Jones as part of an ESPN2 telecast from aboard the United States Ship Intrepid museum ship in New York City.
Scottland was a late replacement for David Telesco, who at the time was a championship contender who only a year earlier had fought and lost to Roy Jones, Junior. for the undisputed championship at light heavyweight.
The overmatched Scottland lasted into the tenth round of the fight, but had been hit with many flush shots from Jones throughout the fight and commentator Max Kellerman, who was calling the fight for ESPN2 that evening, said numerous times on the broadcast that the fight should have been halted prior to the tenth round. Finally, Jones hurt Scottland in the tenth and Scottland dropped to the canvas and was counted out having not risen to his feet.
Scottland had to be helped from the ring and fell into a coma, dying from his injuries on July 1, 2001. Referee, Arthur Mercante Junior. was criticized in the media for years afterward for allowing Scottland to continue fighting.
Shortly after the fight Jones, who was genuinely affected by Scottland"s death, announced that he would be retiring from the ring, feeling responsible for what happened.
The two later forged a friendship. Jones" first fight after Scottland"s death came nearly six months later, when he fought against another light heavyweight contender in Eric Harding, who had fought Scottland as well and defeated him early in his career. Harding knocked Jones out in the seventh round of a ten round bout at Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut, handing Jones his first career loss.
Jones was knocked out in the tenth round and left boxing shortly thereafter.