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Pinklon Thomas

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American boxer
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Pinklon Thomas
Born (1958-02-10) February 10, 1958 (age 66)
Pontiac, Michigan, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Other namesPink
Statistics
Weight(s)Heavyweight
Height6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Reach77 in (196 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights51
Wins43
Wins by KO34
Losses7
Draws1

Pinklon Thomas (born February 10, 1958) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1978 to 1993. He was boxing's first 'Centennial Champion' (1886-1986) and held the WBC heavyweight title from 1984 to 1986. He is considered one of the best boxers of his generation. He beat former heavyweight champions Mike Weaver, Tim Witherspoon, James Tillis and future cruiserweight champion Alfonso Ratliff. He also drew with future WBA Heavyweight Champion Gerrie Coetzee. Thomas was known for his pink boxing trunks and a powerful left jab.

Early life

A native of Pontiac, Michigan, who also lived on military bases in South Carolina and Washington, Thomas eventually settled in Orlando, Florida.

Professional career

Thomas turned professional after just three amateur fights.

Thomas took on a number of contenders and champions before his first championship; After a win over multiple time world title challenger James Tillis, in 1983, Thomas took Gerrie Coetzee to a draw, who later that year won the WBA heavyweight belt, and defeated the eventual WBC cruiserweight champion, Alfonso Ratliff By 1984, with a record of 24–0–1, he would get his first world title shot against reigning WBC heavyweight champion Tim Witherspoon in August 1984, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Thomas won the WBC Heavyweight Championship with a hard-fought 12-round battle over "Terrible" Witherspoon. Ten months later, he defended his title against ex-champion Mike Weaver, stopping Weaver with a single punch in the eighth round. Thomas lost the WBC title to Trevor Berbick in March 1986 by a decision.

Thomas vs. Tyson

Main article: Mike Tyson vs. Pinklon Thomas

Thomas came back and reeled off three ko wins before setting up a May 1987 challenge to WBC and WBA Heavyweight champion Mike Tyson. Although Thomas allegedly took the fight with a serious shoulder injury, he enjoyed success outjabbing Tyson. After a long break for a torn glove, action resumed in the 6th round in which Tyson had regained his energy and Tyson knocked Thomas out with a brutal fifteen punch salvo, knocking the extremely durable Thomas down for the first and only time in his career. Although he got up inside the count, the fight was waved off.

Later career

Main article: Evander Holyfield vs. Pinklon Thomas

Thomas went in and out of retirement over the following years, taking fights against top contenders.

In December 1988 he returned from a 19-month layoff to fight #1 heavyweight contender Evander Holyfield. Thomas looked rusty as he was outmatched over 7 rounds, and the fight was stopped. Long-time trainer Angelo Dundee advised Thomas to retire and stopped working with him.

Thomas returned in 1990 to outpoint Curtis Isaac over 10 rounds, before being outpointed himself by the erratic and unpredictable Mike "The Bounty" Hunter. A few months later he fought Riddick Bowe and pulled out after 8 rounds. Bowe would go on to defeat Holyfield and become undisputed world heavyweight champion.

In February 1991 he took on hard hitting heavyweight Tommy Morrison but was cut and shaken up in the opening round, and the fight was stopped in between rounds. Morrison went on to win the WBO belt.

Thomas attempted one final comeback in 1992, winning twelve fights before outpointing Craig Payne. In his final fight in January 1993 he was upset by journeyman "Poncho" Carter.

A comeback fight in 1999 with old foe Tim Witherspoon was not to be, because a fight with Larry Holmes for the winner could not be confirmed.

Retirement

Thomas now has a foundation, Project P.I.N.K. (Pride in Neighborhood Kids), and is a motivational speaker.

Professional boxing record

51 fights 43 wins 7 losses
By knockout 34 5
By decision 9 2
Draws 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
51 Loss 43–7–1 Lawrence Carter TKO 7 (12), 0:47 Jan 29, 1993 Township Auditorium, Columbia, South Carolina, U.S. Lost WBF (Federation) heavyweight title
50 Win 43–6–1 Craig Payne SD 12 Nov 14, 1992 Memorial Auditorium, Greenville, South Carolina, U.S. Won inaugural IBO and WBF (Federation) heavyweight titles
49 Win 42–6–1 Mike Owens TKO 3 (10) Oct 22, 1992 Club Rogues, Virginia Beach, Virginia, U.S.
48 Win 41–6–1 Dion Burgess TKO 5 (10), 2:06 Oct 2, 1992 Robarts Arena, Sarasota, Florida, U.S.
47 Win 40–6–1 Kevin Nesbitt KO 1 (10) Sep 25, 1992 Adam's Mark Hotel, Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.
46 Win 39–6–1 Frankie Hines KO 1 Sep 19, 1992 Bill Sapp Recreation Center, Lumberton, North Carolina, U.S.
45 Win 38–6–1 Larry Beilfuss KO 1 (10) Sep 5, 1992 Howard Johnson Hotel and Conference Center, Daytona Beach, Florida, U.S.
44 Win 37–6–1 Adolph Davis KO 1 (10) Aug 22, 1992 Denver, North Carolina, U.S.
43 Win 36–6–1 Danny Wofford UD 10 Aug 14, 1992 Memorial Auditorium, Greenville, South Carolina, U.S.
42 Win 35–6–1 James Smith KO 1 (10) Aug 8, 1992 Demopolis, Alabama, U.S.
41 Win 34–6–1 Bobby Jones TKO 1 (10) Aug 1, 1992 Forest City, North Carolina, U.S.
40 Win 33–6–1 Terry Miller KO 2 (10) Jul 31, 1992 Government House Hotel, Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.
39 Win 32–6–1 Danny Sutton UD 10 Jun 27, 1992 Memorial Auditorium, Greenville, South Carolina, U.S.
38 Win 31–6–1 Herman Jackson KO 3 (10), 1:44 May 29, 1992 Memorial Auditorium, Greenville, South Carolina, U.S.
37 Loss 30–6–1 Tommy Morrison RTD 1 (10), 3:00 Feb 19, 1991 Kemper Arena, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
36 Loss 30–5–1 Riddick Bowe RTD 8 (10), 3:00 Sep 7, 1990 University Physical Activities Center, Washington, D.C., U.S.
35 Loss 30–4–1 Mike Hunter UD 10 Jun 12, 1990 Fort Bragg, North Carolina, U.S.
34 Win 30–3–1 Curtis Isaac UD 10 May 23, 1990 The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.
33 Loss 29–3–1 Evander Holyfield RTD 7 (10), 3:00 Dec 9, 1988 Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
32 Loss 29–2–1 Mike Tyson TKO 6 (12), 2:00 May 30, 1987 Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S. For WBA and WBC heavyweight titles
31 Win 29–1–1 Danny Sutton TKO 7 (10), 2:54 Mar 7, 1987 Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.
30 Win 28–1–1 William Hosea TKO 7 (10), 1:10 Nov 22, 1986 Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.
29 Win 27–1–1 Narcisco Maldonado KO 5 (10) Oct 16, 1986 Aguadilla, Puerto Rico
28 Loss 26–1–1 Trevor Berbick UD 12 Mar 22, 1986 Riviera, Winchester, Nevada, U.S. Lost WBC heavyweight title
27 Win 26–0–1 Mike Weaver KO 8 (12), 1:42 Jun 15, 1985 Riviera, Winchester, Nevada, U.S. Retained WBC heavyweight title
26 Win 25–0–1 Tim Witherspoon MD 12 Aug 31, 1984 Riviera, Winchester, Nevada, U.S. Won WBC heavyweight title
25 Win 24–0–1 Bruce Grandham RTD 5 (10), 0:01 Jun 20, 1984 Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico
24 Win 23–0–1 Leroy Boone UD 10 Oct 27, 1983 Sands, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
23 Win 22–0–1 Michael Greer TKO 5 (10), 1:15 Sep 24, 1983 Ice World, Totowa, New Jersey, U.S.
22 Win 21–0–1 Alfonso Ratliff TKO 10 (10), 2:36 Mar 26, 1983 Sands, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
21 Draw 20–0–1 Gerrie Coetzee MD 10 Jan 22, 1983 Sands, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
20 Win 20–0 James Tillis TKO 8 (10), 0:58 Aug 14, 1982 Stouffer's Inn on the Square Ballroom, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
19 Win 19–0 Jerry Williams KO 2 (10), 1:29 Jul 3, 1982 Ice World, Totowa, New Jersey, U.S.
18 Win 18–0 Luis Acosta RTD 2 (10), 3:00 May 23, 1982 Tropicana, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
17 Win 17–0 Johnny Warr PTS 8 Jan 23, 1982 Sands, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
16 Win 16–0 Curtis Whitner KO 2 (10) Nov 25, 1981 Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
15 Win 15–0 Lee Mitchell KO 1 (10) Apr 16, 1981 Center Arena, Seattle, Washington, U.S.
14 Win 14–0 Jerry Williams UD 10 Aug 28, 1980 Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
13 Win 13–0 Frank Brown KO 4 (10) Jun 15, 1980 Pine Knob Music Theatre, Clarkston, Michigan, U.S.
12 Win 12–0 Jerry Williams RTD 5 (10), 3:00 Feb 10, 1980 Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
11 Win 11–0 Bobby Jordan TKO 5 (10), 3:00 Dec 14, 1979 Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
10 Win 10–0 Leroy Caldwell KO 10 (10), 2:48 Jul 18, 1979 Silver Slipper, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
9 Win 9–0 Willie Stoglin TKO 2 (10), 2:52 Jul 2, 1979 High School, Sedro-Woolley, Washington, U.S.
8 Win 8–0 George Jerome TKO 2 (8), 1:20 Jun 7, 1979 Jantzen Beach Center, Portland, Oregon, U.S.
7 Win 7–0 Lee Holloman KO 2 (10), 2:28 May 23, 1979 Silver Slipper, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
6 Win 6–0 Foma Leota KO 2 (10) Apr 26, 1979 Center Arena, Seattle, Washington, U.S.
5 Win 5–0 Elmo Tex Henderson TKO 5 (10) Apr 4, 1979 Entertainment Trade and Recreation Arena, Billings, Montana, U.S.
4 Win 4–0 Lew Lockwood TKO 4 (8) Feb 20, 1979 Center Arena, Seattle, Washington, U.S.
3 Win 3–0 Roger Braxton TKO 7 (8) Jan 8, 1979 Center Arena, Seattle, Washington, U.S.
2 Win 2–0 Mustafa El Amin TKO 3 (6) Oct 31, 1978 Saint Martin's University Gym, Lacey, Washington, U.S.
1 Win 1–0 Ken Arlt SD 6 Aug 29, 1978 Center Arena, Seattle, Washington, U.S.

References

  1. Goodpaster, Mike (2023-05-19). "Legendary Heavyweights: Top 10 Legendary Fighters of the 1980s". The Grueling Truth. Retrieved 2023-06-14.
  2. "The Top Ranked Heavyweight Boxers of the 1980s". ainsworthsports.com. Retrieved 2023-06-14.
  3. Berger, Phil (1987-05-29). "THOMAS PUTS THE PAST ASIDE". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
  4. "Archived copy". www.eastsideboxing.com. Archived from the original on 3 April 2012. Retrieved 14 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)

External links

Sporting positions
Minor world boxing titles
Inaugural champion WBF (Federation)
heavyweight champion
November 14, 1992 – January 29, 1993 		Succeeded byLawrence Carter
IBO heavyweight champion
November 14, 1992 – January 1993
Vacated 		VacantTitle next held byLionel Butler
Major world boxing titles
Preceded byTim Witherspoon WBC heavyweight champion
August 31, 1984 – March 22, 1986 		Succeeded byTrevor Berbick
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