Michael Dokes
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| Michael Dokes | |
 |
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| Statistics | |
|---|---|
| Real name | Michael Dokes |
| Nickname(s) | Dynamite |
| Rated at | Heavyweight |
| Nationality | American |
| Birth date | August 10, 1958 |
| Birth place | Akron, Ohio, U.S. |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 61 |
| Wins | 53 |
| Wins by KO | 33 |
| Losses | 6 |
| Draws | 2 |
| No contests | 0 |
Michael Marshall Dokes (born August 10, 1958 in Akron, Ohio) is a former American boxer in the heavyweight division, nicknamed "Dynamite."
Contents |
[edit] Amateur career
Dokes won a silver medal at the 1975 Pan American Games.
[edit] Amateur Accomplishments
- 1975 National AAU Heavyweight Champion
- 1976 National Golden Gloves Heavyweight Champion, beating future pro champs John Tate and Gregory Page en route.
- As an underage 15 year old, made it to the finals of both the 1974 National Golden Gloves and the National AAU tournaments.He lost to Leon Spinks in AAU final, and future Tyson trainer Bobby Stewart in the Golden Gloves final.
- Won 1974 North American championships.
[edit] Pro career
Dokes turned professional in 1976 and first came to prominence in 1979 when he defeated veteran contender Jimmy Young. He became briefly sidelined by a draw with Ossie Ocasio, but returned to knock out Ocasio in one round a couple months later. By early 1982, after a 1st round knockout of Lynn Ball to win the NABF title, Dokes was considered one of the top three contenders in boxing. He was ranked #2 by the WBC, #3 by the WBA.Being that Greg Page, who was ranked #2 WBA, and #3 WBC, asked the WBA to drop his ranking, and the fact that both Page and Gerry Cooney suffered losses in mid-1982, helped Dokes tremendously.Dokes became WBA Heavyweight champion in 1982 by knocking out Mike Weaver in the first round. Many felt the fight was prematurely stopped by the referee, Joey Curtis, who admitted to having been affected by the recent death of Deuk Koo Kim. A rematch with Weaver was scheduled, and Dokes retained his title on a majority draw.
Many in the media during the 80's considered WBC and later IBF Heavyweight champion Larry Holmes to be the legitimate Heavyweight champion during the period when Dokes held his title. However it is regarded, Dokes' glory as the WBA title holder was short-lived due to personal problems. He lost his title by a 10th round KO to Gerrie Coetzee. He was later knocked out by future champion Evander Holyfield in an exciting fight which was called the "Heavyweight Fight of the Year" in 1989, and the "Heavyweight Fight of the Decade" for the 1980s.[citation needed] He was brutally KOd by Canadian puncher Razor Ruddock in 1990 but received an undeserved title shot against Riddick Bowe who KOd him in one round. It was his last fight against the world class.
[edit] Outside the Ring
Dokes was unable to fight for several years due to a problem with cocaine and was unable to make a successful comeback in the ring. His last notable fight was a title shot against champion Riddick Bowe where Dokes was stopped in the first round.
| Preceded by Mike Weaver |
Heavyweight boxing champion (WBA) 1982–1983 |
Succeeded by Gerrie Coetzee |
| Preceded by Dwain Bonds |
United States Amateur Heavyweight Champion 1975 |
Succeeded by Marvin Stinson |
[edit] Honors
Dokes was named The Ring magazine Comeback of the Year fighter for 1988.
[edit] Life After Boxing
In 1999 Dokes was sentenced to between four and 15 years in prison after being convicted of an attack on his fiancee in August 1998. [1]
