Tony Tubbs

Tony Tubbs (born February 15, 1958) is an American former professional boxer who fought as a heavyweight. In his professional career, which spanned from 1980 until 2006, Tubbs recorded forty-seven victories against ten defeats with two no-contests in fifty-nine fights. He is a former world heavyweight champion, having held the World Boxing Association title once.

Amateur career

As an amateur, Tony Tubbs competed in 253 bouts, compiling a record of 240 wins and 13 losses—primarily in the heavyweight division.^[1] In a 1976 match between the USSR and the United States, Tubbs lost by knockout in the second round to future Soviet Heavyweight Champion Igor Vysotsky.^[2]

In 1978 Tubbs lost in the quarterfinals of the world Cup to the great Cuban boxer Teofilo Stevenson. Tubbs was the only opponent who managed to go the distance with Stevenson. In 1979, Tubbs became the National AAU Heavyweight Champion by defeating Mitch Green and Greg Page, both contests were rematches of previous defeats. In the match meeting USSR-United States Tubbs defeated the two-time amateur European champion Eugene Gorshkova and the future silver medalist of the Olympic games Peter saeva. In 1979 Tubbs won the IBA Boxing World Cup, defeating Khoren Inguana.

By 1980 the conclusion of Tubbs' amateur career was the Olympic Games, but Tubbs was unable compete due to the US boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games. Among his other notable Amateur victories were defeating James Broad and Jimmy Clark, and 1980 Olympic bronze medalist Stephen Left. As an amateur, Tubbs served as a sparring partner to Muhammad Ali, helping the former to prepare for his rematch with Leon Spinks for the World Heavyweight Championship.

Early professional 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 out-pointing Jimmy Young (who had defeated George Foreman) on April 10, 1983, he was signed by Don King and began rising 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 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 pounds (111 kg), 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 and was replaced by Bonecrusher Smith, who knocked Witherspoon out in the first round. Tubbs said he had an injured shoulder, but promoter Don King accused Tubbs of trying to get more money. On March 21, 1988, Tubbs challenged Mike Tyson for the Undisputed World Heavyweight Championship; after out-boxing Tyson in the first round, Tubbs was knocked out in the second.

On November 21, 1989, Tubbs out-pointed top contender Orlin Norris, winning the North American Boxing Federation title. However, Tubbs tested positive for cocaine.^[3] 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 controversial ten-round decision to future Undisputed World Heavyweight Champion, Riddick Bowe. The general consensus in the media was that Tubbs had easily outboxed Bowe. On August 8, 1992, Tubbs was upset by Lionel Butler in a first-round knockout. Tubbs came back to out-point future WBA Heavyweight Champion Bruce Seldon and the undefeated Alexander Zolkin, but then suffered another first-round knockout—this one to 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 was paid $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.

Criminal convictions

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
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 Dăncuţă	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

References

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

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