Pinklon Thomas
| Pinklon Thomas | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Statistics | |
| Real name | Pinklon Thomas |
| Nickname(s) | Pink |
| Rated at | Heavyweight |
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Reach | 77 in (196 cm) |
| Nationality | American |
| Born |
February 10, 1958 Pontiac, Michigan, USA |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 51 |
| Wins | 43 |
| Wins by KO | 34 |
| Losses | 7 |
| Draws | 1 |
| No contests | 0 |
Pinklon Thomas (born February 10, 1958, in Pontiac, Michigan) is a retired heavyweight boxer and former WBC heavyweight champion from 1984 to 1986, whose trademark pink boxing trunks and a powerful left jab were key distinguishing characteristics.
A native of Pontiac, Michigan who also lived on military bases in South Carolina and Washington state, Thomas eventually settled in Orlando, Florida.
Pro career
Pinklon Thomas turned professional after just three amateur fights and, with a record of 24-0-1, would finally get his World title shot against reigning WBC champion Tim Witherspoon in August 1984, in Las Vegas, NV.
Thomas won the WBC Heavyweight Championship with a hard fought 12-round battle over "Terrible" Tim Witherspoon on August 31, 1984. 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 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,[1] he enjoyed success outjabbing Tyson. After a long break for a torn glove, action resumed in the 6th round where Tyson knocked Thomas out with a brutal fifteen punch salvo, knocking the extremely durable Thomas down for the first and last time in his lengthy career. Although he got up inside the count, the fight was waved off.
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, after which he was pulled out of his corner. 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 pulled out on his stool. 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
| 43 Wins (34 knockouts, 11 decisions), 7 Losses (5 knockouts, 2 decision), 1 Draw [2] | |||||||
| Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round | Date | Location | Notes |
| Loss | 43-7-1 |  Lawrence Carter |
TKO | 7 (12) | 29/01/1993 | Township Auditorium, Columbia, South Carolina, United States |
For vacant WBF Heavyweight title. |
| Win | 43-6-1 | Craig Payne |
SD | 12 | 14/11/1992 | Greenville, South Carolina, United States |
For vacant IBO Heavyweight title. |
| Win | 42-6-1 | Mike Owens |
TKO | 3 (10) | 22/10/1992 | Club Rogues, Virginia Beach, Virginia, United States |
|
| Win | 41-6-1 | Dion Burgess |
TKO | 5 (10) | 02/10/1992 | Robarts Arena, Sarasota, Florida, United States |
|
| Win | 40-6-1 | Kevin Nesbitt |
KO | 1 (10) | 25/09/1992 | Adam’s Mark Hotel, Charlotte, North Carolina, United States |
|
| Win | 39-6-1 | Frankie Hines |
KO | 1 (?) | 19/09/1992 | Bill Sapp Recreation Center, Lumberton, North Carolina, United States |
|
| Win | 38-6-1 | Larry Beilfuss |
KO | 1 (10) | 05/09/1992 | Howard Johnson's Hotel and Conference Center, Daytona Beach, Florida, United States |
|
| Win | 37-6-1 | Adolph Davis |
KO | 1 (10) | 22/08/1992 | Denver, North Carolina, United States |
|
| Win | 36-6-1 | Danny Wofford |
PTS | 10 | 14/08/1992 | Greenville, South Carolina, United States |
|
| Win | 35-6-1 | James Smith |
KO | 1 (10) | 08/08/1992 | Demopolis, Alabama, United States |
|
| Win | 34-6-1 | Bobby Jones |
TKO | 1 (10) | 01/08/1992 | Forest City, South Carolina, United States |
|
| Win | 33-6-1 | Terry Miller |
KO | 2 (10) | 31/07/1992 | Government House Hotel, Charlotte, North Carolina, United States |
|
| Win | 32-6-1 | Danny Sutton |
PTS | 10 | 27/06/1992 | Greenville, South Carolina, United States |
|
| Win | 31-6-1 | Herman Jackson |
KO | 3 (10) | 29/05/1992 | Greenville Memorial Auditorium, Greenville, South Carolina, United States |
|
| Loss | 30-6-1 | Tommy Morrison |
RTD | 1 (10) | 29/02/1991 | Kemper Arena, Kansas City, Missouri, United States |
|
| Loss | 30-5-1 | Riddick Bowe |
RTD | 8 (10) | 07/09/1990 | UDC Physical Activities Center, District of Columbia, United States |
|
| Loss | 30-4-1 | Mike Hunter |
PTS | 10 | 12/06/1990 | Fort Bragg, North Carolina, United States |
|
| Win | 30-3-1 | Curtis Isaac |
PTS | 10 | 23/05/1990 | The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States |
|
| Loss | 29-3-1 | Evander Holyfield |
RTD | 7 (10) | 09/12/1988 | Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States |
|
| Loss | 29-2-1 | Mike Tyson |
TKO | 6 (12) | 30/05/1987 | Hilton Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States |
For WBC & WBA Heavyweight titles. |
| Win | 29-1-1 | Danny Sutton |
TKO | 7 (10) | 07/03/1987 | Hilton Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States |
|
| Win | 28-1-1 | William Hosea |
TKO | 7 (10) | 22/11/1986 | Hilton Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States |
|
| Win | 27-1-1 |  Narcisco Maldonado |
KO | 5 (10) | 16/10/1986 | Aguadilla, Puerto Rico |
|
| Loss | 26-1-1 |  Trevor Berbick |
UD | 12 | 22/03/1986 | Riviera Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States |
Lost WBC Heavyweight title. |
| Win | 26-0-1 | Mike Weaver |
TKO | 8 (12) | 15/06/1985 | Riviera Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States |
Retained WBC Heavyweight title. |
| Win | 25-0-1 | Tim Witherspoon |
MD | 12 | 31/08/1984 | Riviera Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States |
Won WBC Heavyweight title. |
| Win | 24-0-1 | Bruce Grandham |
TKO | 5 (10) | 20/06/1984 | Hato Rey, Puerto Rico |
|
| Win | 23-0-1 | Leroy Boone |
UD | 10 | 27/10/1983 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States |
|
| Win | 22-0-1 | Michael Greer |
KO | 5 (10) | 24/09/1983 | Ice World, Totowa, New Jersey, United States |
|
| Win | 21-0-1 | Alfonso Ratliff |
TKO | 10 (10) | 26/03/1983 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States |
|
| Draw | 20-0-1 |  Gerrie Coetzee |
PTS | 10 | 22/01/1983 | Sands Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States |
|
| Win | 20–0 | James Tillis |
TKO | 8 (10) | 14/08/1982 | Stouffers Ballroom, Cleveland, Ohio, United States |
|
| Win | 19–0 | Jerry Williams |
KO | 2 (10) | 03/07/1982 | Ice World, Totowa, New Jersey, United States |
|
| Win | 18–0 |  Luis Acosta |
TKO | 2 (10) | 23/05/1982 | Tropicana Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States |
|
| Win | 17–0 | Johnny Warr |
PTS | 8 | 23/01/1982 | Sands Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States |
|
| Win | 16–0 | Curtis Whitner |
KO | 2 (10) | 25/11/1981 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States |
|
| Win | 15–0 | Lee Mitchell |
KO | 1 (10) | 16/04/1981 | Seattle, Washington, United States |
|
| Win | 14–0 | Jerry Williams |
UD | 10 | 28/08/1980 | Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States |
|
| Win | 13–0 | Frank Brown |
KO | 4 (10) | 15/06/1980 | Clarkston, Michigan, United States |
|
| Win | 12–0 | Jerry Williams |
RTD | 5 (10) | 10/02/1980 | Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida, United States |
|
| Win | 11–0 | Bobby Jordan |
TKO | 5 (10) | 14/12/1979 | Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States |
|
| Win | 10–0 | Leroy Caldwell |
KO | 10 (10) | 18/07/1979 | Silver Slipper, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States |
|
| Win | 9–0 | Willie Stoglin |
KO | 2 (10) | 02/07/1979 | Sedro-Woolley, Washington, United States |
|
| Win | 8–0 | George Jerome |
KO | 2 (10) | 07/06/1979 | Jantzen Beach Ice Arena, Portland, Oregon, United States |
|
| Win | 7–0 | Lee Holloman |
KO | 2 (10) | 23/05/1979 | Silver Slipper, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States |
|
| Win | 6–0 |  Foma Leota |
KO | 2 (10) | 26/04/1979 | Seattle, Washington, United States |
|
| Win | 5–0 | Elmo Tex Henderson |
KO | 5 (10) | 04/04/1979 | Billings, Montana, United States |
|
| Win | 4–0 | Lew Lockwood |
KO | 4 (8) | 20/02/1979 | Seattle Center Arena, Seattle, Washington, United States |
|
| Win | 3–0 | Roger Braxton |
TKO | 7 (8) | 08/01/1979 | Seattle, Washington, United States |
|
| Win | 2–0 | Mustafa El Amin |
KO | 3 (6) | 31/10/1978 | Lacey, Washington, United States |
|
| Win | 1–0 | Ken Arlt |
PTS | 6 | 29/08/1978 | Seattle Center Arena, Seattle, Washington, United States |
|
References
- ↑
- ↑ "Pinklon Thomas". BoxRec.com. Retrieved 2016-02-04.
External links
| Awards and achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Tim Witherspoon |
Heavyweight boxing champion (WBC) 1984–1986 |
Succeeded by Trevor Berbick |
| Preceded by Inaugural champion |
Heavyweight boxing champion (IBO) November 14, 1992–January 29, 1993 Vacated |
Succeeded by Danell Nicholson |