Lou Savarese (born July 14, 1965) is an American former professional boxer and mixed martial artist who competed 1989 to 2013.

In January 1996, Savrese won IBF USBA Heavyweight title by knocking out former contender Buster Mathis Jr. in seven rounds.

On June 24, 2000, he lost by a first-round technical knockout to former Undisputed World Heavyweight Champion Mike Tyson.

In July 1986 he won gold at the U.S. Olympic Festival in Houston, Texas, defeating Kevin Ford on points (5–0) in the finals.

Savarese, a Roberts Elementarian, began his professional boxing career on April 30, 1989, knocking out James Smith (not the former world Heavyweight champion) in four rounds at Galveston, Texas.

His next fight, against Mike Faulkner on November 26, at White Plains, New York, resulted in a five-round disqualification win for Savarese.

While Savarese lost for the first time, he nevertheless impressed boxing critics and fans, many of whom felt he deserved the split decision that was given to Foreman.

Based on his performance against Foreman, the outcome of his next fight, against David Izon on November 1, was considered to be a mild upset.

Another major win for Savarese came on September 22, 2002, when he beat former two-time world Heavyweight champion Tim Witherspoon by a knockout in round five at Friant, California.

Lou Savarese returned to the ring on March 18, 2006, stopping Marcus Rhode in two rounds at Convention Center in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Savarese is trained by Jesse Reid, who survived a shooting in 1984 when another of his boxers, former WBC world Jr. Welterweight champion Bruce Curry shot him two days after losing to Billy Costello.

Lou Savarese continued his comeback by stopping Travis Fulton in 3 rounds on January 18, 2007, in Houston TX.

[2][4] Savarese has been featured in episodes of The Jury, Guiding Light, The Sopranos, Damages, and Rescue Me as well as the movie We Own the Night.

He also played a lead role in ESPN’s documentary Cinderella Man: The James J. Braddock Story, for which he received excellent reviews for his portrayal of boxer Max Baer.