Tony Tubbs
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| Tony Tubbs | |
|---|---|
| Statistics | |
| Real name | Tony Tubbs |
| Nickname(s) | TNT |
| Rated at | Heavyweight |
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Reach | 79 in (201 cm) |
| Nationality |  American |
| Born | February 15, 1958 Cincinnati, Ohio |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 59 |
| Wins | 47 |
| Wins by KO | 25 |
| Losses | 10 |
| Draws | 0 |
| No contests | 2 |
Tony Tubbs (born February 15, 1958 in Cincinnati, Ohio) is a retired professional heavyweight boxer who was the WBA Heavyweight Champion of the world from 1985 to 1986.
Contents |
[edit] Amateur career
Tubbs compiled an amateur record of 240-13. In 1978, he lost in the quarterfinals of the World Championships to the great Cuban Teofilo Stevenson. The following year, Tubbs won the National AAU title and the World Cup Championships.
In February 1980, the Muhammad Ali Amateur Boxing Club competed against the Joe Frazier Amateur Boxing Club in Houston, Texas. Tubbs, boxing for the Ali team, defeated Marvis Frazier (son of Joe Frazier) by decision, avenging an earlier defeat.
Tubbs also was a sparring partner for Ali. He helped Ali prepare for his rematch with Leon Spinks, which Ali won by a unanimous decision to regain the World Heavyweight Championship.
[edit] Early Pro Career
Tubbs, nicknamed TNT, made his professional debut on June 14, 1980, with a first-round knockout of Bruce Scott.
After 11 fights, he fought fellow undefeated prospect Clarence Hill on August 7, 1982 and won by a ten-round unanimous decision. After outpointing slick stylist Jimmy Young (who had defeated George Foreman) on April 10, 1983, he was signed by Don King and began rising quickly up the rankings while appearing on several King undercards.
On March 15, 1985, he faced future WBA Heavyweight Champ James "Bonecrusher" Smith in a WBA title Eliminator. Tubbs won by a unanimous decision, taking his record to 20-0 (15 knockouts).
[edit] World Championship Fights
On April 29, 1985, Tubbs challenged Greg Page for the WBA Heavyweight Championship. Page and Tubbs fought seven times as amateurs, with Page winning six of them, but for their one and only meeting as professionals, Tubbs won by a fifteen-round unanimous decision.
On January 17, 1986, Tubbs made his first title defense against former WBC Heavyweight Champion Tim Witherspoon. Tubbs weighed-in at 244 lbs, 15 more than he weighed for the Page fight, and lost the title by a fifteen-round majority decision.
Tubbs and Witherspoon had a rematch scheduled for December 12, 1986, but Tubbs pulled out of the fight. Tubbs claimed that he had an injured shoulder, but promoter Don King accused Tubbs of trying to finagle more money.
On March 21, 1988, Tubbs fought Mike Tyson for the Undisputed World Heavyweight Championship and was knocked out in the second round.
[edit] Ex-Champ
On November 21, 1989, Tubbs outpointed top contender Orlin Norris, winning the North American Boxing Federation title. However, Tubbs tested positive for cocaine. Tubbs was stripped of the title and the victory was changed to a "no contest."
On April 20, 1991, Tubbs lost a ten-round decision to rising prospect and future Undisputed World Heavyweight Champion Riddick Bowe.
On August 8, 1992, Tubbs was knocked out in the first round by journeyman Lionel Butler. Tubbs came back to outpoint future WBA Heavyweight Champion Bruce Seldon and the undefeated Alexander Zolkin, but then suffered another first-round knockout, losing to the lightly regarded Jimmy Ellis.
[edit] People's Choice Heavyweight Tournament
In December 1993, Tubbs took part in the one-night People's Choice Heavyweight Tournament in Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi. He knocked out Willie Jackson in the first round and won three-round decisions over 1984 Olympic Gold Medalist Tyrell Biggs, Jose Ribalta, and Daniel Dancuta to win the tournament. Depending on pay-per-view revenue, he had a chance to win $1 million. He ended up with $170,000.
[edit] Late career
From 1994 to 1997, Tubbs went 3-3 with one no-contest. He retired but came back in 2002. He lost two of his first three comeback fights, but then won his next five, including a win over 18-0 Brian Minto. His last fight was a six-round unanimous decision over clubfighter Adam Smith on November 4, 2006.
[edit] Trouble With The Law
Tubbs has been to prison for cocaine-related crimes and failure to pay child support for some of the 16 children he says he has. On November 30, 2009, Tubbs pleaded guilty to cocaine possession. At his sentencing on January 14, 2010, The judge gave him a choice: four-to-six months in a locked-down drug facility, followed by a year or more of aftercare in a residential facility, or six months in prison. Tubbs chose six months prison. [1] [2]
[edit] California Boxing Hall of Fame
Tubbs was inducted into the California Boxing Hall of Fame on June 25th, 2011 in Studio City, CA. Tubbs attended the induction with his family, mother and children. [3]
[edit] Professional boxing record
| 47 Wins (25 knockouts, 11 decisions), 10 Losses (5 knockouts, 5 decisions), 0 Draws, 2 No Contests [4] | |||||||
| Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round | Date | Location | Notes |
| Win | 47-10 2 NC |
Adam Smith |
UD | 6 | 04/11/2006 |  Waterfront Hotel, Morgantown, West Virginia, United States |
|
| Win | 46-10 2 NC |
Jason Waller |
TKO | 7 (8) | 06/08/2006 |  Grand Victoria Casino, Rising Sun, Indiana, United States |
|
| Win | 45-10 2 NC |
Danny Wofford |
UD | 6 | 25/02/2005 |  Municipal Auditorium, Nashville, Tennessee, United States |
|
| Win | 44-10 2 NC |
Brian Minto |
SD | 10 | 30/12/2004 | Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort, Chester, West Virginia, United States |
Won USA West Virginia State heavyweight title. |
| Win | 43-10 2 NC |
Brian Sargent |
TKO | 1 (6) | 29/10/2004 |  Civic Arena, Saint Joseph, Missouri, United States |
|
| Loss | 42-10 2 NC |
 Abraham Okine |
TKO | 8 (10) | 25/07/2003 | Lakeview Resort, Morgantown, West Virginia, United States |
|
| Loss | 42–9 2 NC |
 Gilbert Martinez |
UD | 10 | 17/01/2003 |  Palace Indian Gaming Center, Lemoore, California, United States |
|
| Win | 42–8 2 NC |
Michael Shanks |
TKO | 2 (4) | 26/03/2002 | Cumberland Place, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States |
|
| Win | 41–8 2 NC |
 Mario Oscar Melo |
KO | 5 (10) | 30/08/1997 | El Polideportivo, Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina |
|
| Loss | 40–8 2 NC |
 Brian Nielsen |
TKO | 4 (10) | 20/10/1995 | Cirkusbygningen, Copenhagen, Denmark |
|
| Loss | 40–7 2 NC |
 Alexander Zolkin |
MD | 12 | 25/08/1995 |  Bally's Atlantic City, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States |
For NABF heavyweight title. |
| Win | 40–6 2 NC |
Andre Crowder |
KO | 1 (10) | 29/03/1995 |  Shoemaker Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States |
|
| Loss | 39–6 2 NC |
 Jimmy Thunder |
PTS | 12 | 06/12/1994 |  The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States |
|
| NC | 39–5 2 NC |
William Morris |
NC | 10 | 04/10/1994 | The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States |
Originally a win for Tubbs. |
| Win | 39–5 1 NC |
Everett Martin |
UD | 10 | 22/02/1994 | The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States |
|
| Win | 38–5 1 NC |
 Daniel Dancuta |
UD | 3 | 03/12/1993 |  Casino Magic, Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi, United States |
"People's Choice One-Night Heavyweight Tournament" fight (FINAL). |
| Win | 37–5 1 NC |
 Jose Ribalta |
UD | 3 | 03/12/1993 | Casino Magic, Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi, United States |
"People's Choice One-Night Heavyweight Tournament" fight (SEMI-FINAL). |
| Win | 36–5 1 NC |
Tyrell Biggs |
UD | 3 | 03/12/1993 | Casino Magic, Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi, United States |
"People's Choice One-Night Heavyweight Tournament" fight (QUARTER-FINAL). |
| Win | 35–5 1 NC |
Willie Jackson |
KO | 1 (3) | 03/12/1993 | Casino Magic, Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi, United States |
"People's Choice One-Night Heavyweight Tournament" fight (PRELIMINARY). |
| Loss | 34–5 1 NC |
Jimmy Ellis |
KO | 1 (?) | 16/08/1993 |  Boise, Idaho, United States |
|
| Win | 34–4 1 NC |
 Melton Bowen |
UD | 10 | 27/04/1993 | The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States |
|
| Win | 33–4 1 NC |
Alexander Zolkin |
UD | 10 | 02/02/1993 | The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States |
|
| Win | 32–4 1 NC |
Jesse Ferguson |
UD | 10 | 24/11/1992 | The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States |
|
| Win | 31–4 1 NC |
Bruce Seldon |
UD | 10 | 14/10/1992 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States |
|
| Loss | 30–4 1 NC |
Lionel Butler |
KO | 1 (10) | 18/08/1992 |  Bayfront Auditorium, Pensacola, Florida, United States |
|
| Win | 30–3 1 NC |
Leon Taylor |
TKO | 8 (10) | 16/02/1992 |  Las Vegas, Nevada, United States |
|
| Loss | 29–3 1 NC |
Riddick Bowe |
UD | 10 | 20/04/1991 | Caesar's Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States |
|
| Win | 29–2 1 NC |
Lawrence Carter |
RTD | 6 (10) | 20/10/1990 | Trump Plaza Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States |
|
| Win | 28–2 1 NC |
Mike Cohen |
TKO | 6 (10) | 28/07/1990 | Trump Castle, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States |
|
| NC | 27–2 1 NC |
Orlin Norris |
ND | 12 | 21/11/1989 | Civic Auditorium, Santa Monica, California, United States |
For NABF heavyweight title. Tubbs was initially announced as the victor. Result changed to ND because he tested positive for an illegal substance. |
| Win | 27–2 | Ladislao Mijangos |
KO | 3 (?) | 24/06/1989 | Bakersfield, California, United States |
|
| Win | 26–2 | Eddie Richardson |
DQ | 8 (10) | 06/05/1989 | Civic Center, Pensacola, Florida, United States |
Richardson DQ'd for an intentional head butt. |
| Win | 25–2 | Michael Evans |
UD | 10 | 20/04/1989 | Redondo Beach, California, United States |
|
| Loss | 24–2 | Mike Tyson |
TKO | 2 (12) | 21/03/1988 |  Tokyo Dome, Tokyo, Japan |
For WBC, WBA, & IBF heavyweight titles. |
| Win | 24–1 | Eddie Gonzales |
TKO | 3 (10) | 29/09/1987 | Celebrity Theater, Anaheim, California, United States |
|
| Win | 23–1 | Jerry Halstead |
UD | 10 | 30/05/1987 | Hilton Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States |
|
| Win | 22–1 | Mike Jameson |
UD | 10 | 20/04/1987 | Civic Auditorium, Santa Monica, California, United States |
|
| Loss | 21–1 | Tim Witherspoon |
MD | 15 | 17/01/1986 |  The Omni, Atlanta, Georgia, United States |
Lost WBA heavyweight title. |
| Win | 21–0 | Greg Page |
UD | 15 | 29/04/1985 |  Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, United States |
Won WBA heavyweight title. |
| Win | 20–0 | James Smith |
UD | 10 | 15/03/1985 | Riviera Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States |
|
| Win | 19–0 | Tim Miller |
TKO | 2 (?) | 16/01/1985 | Riviera Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States |
|
| Win | 18–0 | Jerry Williams |
TKO | 7 (10) | 09/11/1984 | Riviera Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States |
|
| Win | 17–0 | Tom Trimm |
TKO | 2 (?) | 18/03/1984 | Civic Auditorium, Santa Monica, California, United States |
|
| Win | 16–0 |  Gordon Racette |
PTS | 10 | 09/09/1983 | Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States |
|
| Win | 15–0 | Jimmy Young |
UD | 10 | 10/04/1983 |  Hilton Hotel, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States |
|
| Win | 14–0 | Larry Givens |
TKO | 7 (10) | 25/02/1983 | Cincinnati, Ohio, United States |
|
| Win | 13–0 | Steve Zouski |
TKO | 5 (10) | 18/09/1982 | Sands Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States |
|
| Win | 12–0 |  Clarence Hill |
UD | 10 | 07/08/1982 |  University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States |
|
| Win | 11–0 | Clayman Sandman Parker |
TKO | 1 (?) | 12/06/1982 | Playboy Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States |
|
| Win | 10–0 | Baker Tinsley |
KO | 3 (?) | 11/04/1982 | Playboy Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States |
|
| Win | 9–0 | Don Halpin |
UD | 8 | 18/12/1981 | David Lawrence Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States |
|
| Win | 8–0 | Jesse Brown |
TKO | 1 (?) | 21/11/1981 |  Erlanger, Kentucky, United States |
|
| Win | 7–0 | Dennis Wimberly |
TKO | 2 (?) | 21/08/1981 | Dunn Centre, Elizabeth, New Jersey, United States |
|
| Win | 6–0 | Mike Creel |
TKO | 3 (?) | 29/11/1980 | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, United States |
|
| Win | 5–0 | Larry Sims |
TKO | 3 (6) | 22/11/1980 | Riverfront Coliseum, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States |
|
| Win | 4–0 | John L Johnson |
TKO | 1 (6) | 14/11/1980 | Jai Alai Fronton, Miami, Florida, United States |
|
| Win | 3–0 | Ron Draper |
PTS | 6 | 07/11/1980 |  HemisFair Arena, San Antonio, Texas, United States |
|
| Win | 2–0 | Ron Draper |
TKO | 4 (?) | 02/08/1980 | Riverfront Coliseum, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States |
|
| Win | 1–0 | Bruce Scott |
TKO | 1 (6) | 14/06/1980 | Riverfront Coliseum, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States |
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[edit] Sources
- Toledo Blade February 3, 1980
- The Pittsburgh Press April 7, 1983
- Gettysburg Times April 30, 1985
- Philadelphia Inquirer January 18, 1986
- Daily News December 5, 1986
- Los Angeles Times March 22, 1988
- Sports Illustrated March 29, 1988
- New York Times July 22, 1992
- Philadelphia Inquirer December 8, 1993
[edit] External links
| Preceded by Greg Page |
WBA Heavyweight Champion 1985–1986 |
Succeeded by Tim Witherspoon |
| Preceded by Greg Page |
United States Amateur Heavyweight Champion 1979 |
Succeeded by Marvis Frazier |
