Tony Tubbs

Tony Tubbs (born February 15, 1958 in Cincinnati, Ohio) is a retired professional heavyweight boxer and former WBA heavyweight champion of the world in the 1980s.

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.

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).

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 challenged Mike Tyson for the Undisputed World Heavyweight Championship and, after outboxing Tyson in the first round, was knocked out in the second.

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, a 34 year old Tubbs lost a famously controversial ten-round decision to rising prospect, and future Undisputed World Heavyweight Champion, Riddick Bowe. The general consensus in the media was that Tubbs had rather easily outboxed Bowe.

On August 8, 1992, Tubbs was upset by big punching Lionel Butler in a first-round knockout. Tubbs came back to outpoint future WBA Heavyweight Champion Bruce Seldon and the undefeated Alexander Zolkin, but then suffered another first-round knockout - this one rather dubious looking- to lightly regarded clubfighter Jimmy Ellis.

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 Dăncuţă to win the tournament. Depending on pay-per-view revenue, he had a chance to win $1 million. He ended up with $170,000.

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.

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.

California Boxing Hall of Fame

Tubbs was inducted into the California Boxing Hall of Fame on June 25, 2011 in Studio City, CA. Tubbs attended the induction with his family, mother and children.

Professional boxing record

47 Wins (25 knockouts, 11 decisions), 10 Losses (5 knockouts, 5 decisions), 0 Draws, 2 No Contests
Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round	Date	Location	Notes
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	47-10 2 NC	Adam Smith	UD	6	04/11/2006	Waterfront Hotel, Morgantown, West Virginia, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	46-10 2 NC	Jason Waller	TKO	7 (8)	06/08/2006	Grand Victoria Casino, Rising Sun, Indiana, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	45-10 2 NC	Danny Wofford	UD	6	25/02/2005	Municipal Auditorium, Nashville, Tennessee, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |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.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	43-10 2 NC	Brian Sargent	TKO	1 (6)	29/10/2004	Civic Arena, Saint Joseph, Missouri, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss	42-10 2 NC	Abraham Okine	TKO	8 (10)	25/07/2003	Lakeview Resort, Morgantown, West Virginia, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss	42–9 2 NC	Gilbert Martinez	UD	10	17/01/2003	Palace Indian Gaming Center, Lemoore, California, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	42–8 2 NC	Michael Shanks	TKO	2 (4)	26/03/2002	Cumberland Place, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	41–8 2 NC	Mario Oscar Melo	KO	5 (10)	30/08/1997	El Polideportivo, Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss	40–8 2 NC	Brian Nielsen	TKO	4 (10)	20/10/1995	Cirkusbygningen, Copenhagen, Denmark
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |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.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	40–6 2 NC	Andre Crowder	KO	1 (10)	29/03/1995	Shoemaker Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |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.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	39–5 1 NC	Everett Martin	UD	10	22/02/1994	The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	38–5 1 NC	Daniel Dăncuţă	UD	3	03/12/1993	Casino Magic, Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi, United States	"People's Choice One-Night Heavyweight Tournament" fight (FINAL).
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |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).
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |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).
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |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).
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss	34–5 1 NC	Jimmy Ellis	KO	1 (?)	16/08/1993	Boise, Idaho, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	34–4 1 NC	Melton Bowen	UD	10	27/04/1993	The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	33–4 1 NC	Alexander Zolkin	UD	10	02/02/1993	The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	32–4 1 NC	Jesse Ferguson	UD	10	24/11/1992	The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	31–4 1 NC	Bruce Seldon	UD	10	14/10/1992	Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss	30–4 1 NC	Lionel Butler	KO	1 (10)	18/08/1992	Bayfront Auditorium, Pensacola, Florida, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	30–3 1 NC	Leon Taylor	TKO	8 (10)	16/02/1992	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss	29–3 1 NC	Riddick Bowe	UD	10	20/04/1991	Caesar's Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	29–2 1 NC	Lawrence Carter	RTD	6 (10)	20/10/1990	Trump Plaza Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |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.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	27–2	Ladislao Mijangos	KO	3 (?)	24/06/1989	Bakersfield, California, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |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.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	25–2	Michael Evans	UD	10	20/04/1989	Redondo Beach, California, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss	24–2	Mike Tyson	TKO	2 (12)	21/03/1988	Tokyo Dome, Tokyo, Japan	For WBC, WBA, & IBF heavyweight titles.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	24–1	Eddie Gonzales	TKO	3 (10)	29/09/1987	Celebrity Theater, Anaheim, California, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	23–1	Jerry Halstead	UD	10	30/05/1987	Hilton Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	22–1	Mike Jameson	UD	10	20/04/1987	Civic Auditorium, Santa Monica, California, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss	21–1	Tim Witherspoon	MD	15	17/01/1986	The Omni, Atlanta, Georgia, United States	Lost WBA heavyweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	21–0	Greg Page	UD	15	29/04/1985	Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, United States	Won WBA heavyweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	20–0	James Smith	UD	10	15/03/1985	Riviera Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	19–0	Tim Miller	TKO	2 (?)	16/01/1985	Riviera Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	18–0	Jerry Williams	TKO	7 (10)	09/11/1984	Riviera Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	17–0	Tom Trimm	TKO	2 (?)	18/03/1984	Civic Auditorium, Santa Monica, California, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	16–0	Gordon Racette	PTS	10	09/09/1983	Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	15–0	Jimmy Young	UD	10	10/04/1983	Hilton Hotel, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	14–0	Larry Givens	TKO	7 (10)	25/02/1983	Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	13–0	Steve Zouski	TKO	5 (10)	18/09/1982	Sands Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	12–0	Clarence Hill	UD	10	07/08/1982	University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	11–0	Clayman Sandman Parker	TKO	1 (?)	12/06/1982	Playboy Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	10–0	Baker Tinsley	KO	3 (?)	11/04/1982	Playboy Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	9–0	Don Halpin	UD	8	18/12/1981	David Lawrence Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	8–0	Jesse Brown	TKO	1 (?)	21/11/1981	Erlanger, Kentucky, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	7–0	Dennis Wimberly	TKO	2 (?)	21/08/1981	Dunn Centre, Elizabeth, New Jersey, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	6–0	Mike Creel	TKO	3 (?)	29/11/1980	Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	5–0	Larry Sims	TKO	3 (6)	22/11/1980	Riverfront Coliseum, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	4–0	John L Johnson	TKO	1 (6)	14/11/1980	Jai Alai Fronton, Miami, Florida, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	3–0	Ron Draper	PTS	6	07/11/1980	HemisFair Arena, San Antonio, Texas, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	2–0	Ron Draper	TKO	4 (?)	02/08/1980	Riverfront Coliseum, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	1–0	Bruce Scott	TKO	1 (6)	14/06/1980	Riverfront Coliseum, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States

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

External links

Book: Tony Tubbs

• Professional boxing record for Tony Tubbs from BoxRec
• Google Image Search: Tony Tubbs