 Phillips turned professional in 1988 and captured the Vacant WBO light middleweight title in 1993 with a win over Lupe Aquino.He defended the title four times before losing a decision to the gifted Paul "Silky" Jones of England many people say this and the loss to Paul William's were Philips' only defeat.In 2004 Phillips captured the vacant IBF light middleweight title by beating Carlos Bojorquez via a TKO, but lost the belt in his next fight to Kassim Ouma.