When Vince Phillips defeated Kostya Tszyu more than 25 years ago, it felt to many in the moment as if Olympus had fallen. On that fateful night, Phillips earned a 10th-round TKO over the previously undefeated Tszyu to win the IBF junior welterweight title.

Phillips was trained to that upset win by Kenny Adams, and it was just this kind of mountain-moving influence that has led to Adams being on the cusp of induction to the International Boxing Hall of Fame on June 9 at the Turning Stone Resort Casino Showroom in Verona, New York.

Tszyu was a gifted power puncher who appeared – and up to that point was – unbeatable. Phillips changed all that.

Adams recalled the hard work that went into that fight. “Phillips was strong, tough, lean and mean,” Adams told BoxingScene.

Phillips was coming off a split-decision loss to Romallis Ellis. That bout took place at welterweight, but Phillips was always at his best in the division below. The stoppage of Tszyu was a stunner to most boxing observers.

“Vince was with me most of the time, and during that time frame, I always had him in great shape and great condition. All of my fighters are in shape, all of the time. The greatest thing that could happen for guys to move to the next level is to be in shape and be in good condition.”

Phillips went on to defend the IBF junior welterweight title four times.

“He was hard to beat,” Adams said. “He took it to the next level.”

Lucas Ketelle is a proud member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and author of “Inside The Ropes of Boxing” (available on Amazon). Contact him on X @LukieBoxing.