Tony Tubbs

Last updated
Tony Tubbs
Born (1958-02-15) February 15, 1958 (age 66)
Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Other namesTNT
Statistics
Weight(s) Heavyweight
Height6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Reach79 in (201 cm)
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights59
Wins47
Wins by KO25
Losses10
No contests2
Medal record
World Cup
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 1979 New York Heavyweight

Tony Tubbs (born February 15, 1958) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1980 to 2006, and held the WBA heavyweight title from 1985 to 1986.

Contents

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 Cuban boxer Teofilo Stevenson. Tubbs was the only opponent who managed to go the distance with Stevenson. Tubbs trained with the Muhammad Ali Amateur Boxing Team in Santa Monica, CA. In 1979, Tubbs became the National AAU Heavyweight Champion by defeating Mitch Green and Greg Page, both contests were rematches of previous defeats.[ citation needed ] In the match-up meetings USSR versus the United States Tubbs defeated the two-time amateur European champion Yevgeni Gorstkov and the future silver medalist of the Olympic games Pyotr Zayev.[ citation needed ] In 1979 Tubbs won the AIBA Boxing World Cup, defeating Khoren Indzhyan,[ citation needed ] and finally avenged his loss to Marvis Frazier, who prior to that upset went unbeaten with a 42–0 (21 KOs) record. [3] Tony fought as a member of the Muhammad Ali Amateur Boxing Team.

By 1980 the conclusion of Tubbs's 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.[ citation needed ] As an amateur, Tubbs worked as a sparring partner to Muhammad Ali, helping the former to prepare for his rematch with Leon Spinks for the World Heavyweight Championship.[ citation needed ]

Highlights

Tubbs finished his career having 253 fights, with a record of 240 wins, 13 losses. [4]

Professional career

Early years

Tubbs 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.[ citation needed ] 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).[ citation needed ]

World heavyweight title 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.[ citation needed ] 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.[ citation needed ]

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.[ citation needed ] 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.[ citation needed ]

On November 21, 1989, Tubbs out-pointed top contender Orlin Norris, winning the North American Boxing Federation title. However, Tubbs tested positive for cocaine. [5] Tubbs was stripped of the title and the victory was changed to a "no contest".[ citation needed ]

On April 20, 1991, a 34-year-old Tubbs lost a highly controversial ten-round decision to future Undisputed World Heavyweight Champion, Riddick Bowe. [6] The general consensus in the media was that Tubbs had easily outboxed Bowe. [7] 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, knocking him down in the 1st round, and the undefeated Alexander Zolkin, but then suffered another first-round knockout—this one to clubfighter Jimmy Ellis.[ citation needed ]

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.[ citation needed ] Depending on pay-per-view revenue, he had a chance to win $1 million. He was paid $170,000.[ citation needed ]

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.[ citation needed ]

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

59 fights47 wins10 losses
By knockout255
By decision215
By disqualification10
No contests2
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
59Win47–10 (2)Adam SmithUD6Nov 4, 2006Waterfront Place Hotel, Morgantown, West Virginia, U.S.
58Win46–10 (2)Jason WallerTKO7 (8), 2:05Aug 6, 2006 Grand Victoria Casino & Resort, Rising Sun, Indiana, U.S.
57Win45–10 (2)Danny WoffordUD6Feb 25, 2005 Municipal Auditorium, Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
56Win44–10 (2) Brian Minto SD10Dec 30, 2004 Mountaineer Casino Racetrack and Resort, Chester, West Virginia, U.S.Won West Virginia heavyweight title
55Win43–10 (2)Brian SargentTKO1 (6), 1:25Oct 29, 2004 Civic Arena, St. Joseph, Missouri, U.S.
54Loss42–10 (2)Abraham OkineTKO8 (10), 2:20Jul 25, 2003Lakeview Resort, Morgantown, West Virginia, U.S.
53Loss42–9 (2)Gilbert MartinezUD10Jan 17, 2003 Palace Indian Gaming Center, Lemoore, California, U.S.
52Win42–8 (2)Michael ShanksTKO2 (4), 0:52Mar 26, 2002Cumberland Place Exhibition Center, West Lafayette, Indiana, U.S.
51Win41–8 (2)Mario Oscar MeloKO5 (10)Aug 30, 1997Estadio Polideportivo Islas Malvinas, Mar del Plata, Argentina
50Loss40–8 (2) Brian Nielsen RTD3 (10)Oct 20, 1995 Circus Building, Copenhagen, Denmark
49Loss40–7 (2)Alexander ZolkinMD12Aug 25, 1995 Bally's Park Place, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.For NABF heavyweight title
48Win40–6 (2)Andre CrowderKO1 (10), 2:48Mar 29, 1995 Myrl H. Shoemaker Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
47Loss39–6 (2) Jimmy Thunder PTS12Dec 6, 1994The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.For IBO heavyweight title
46NC39–5 (2)William MorrisUD10Oct 4, 1994The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.Originally a UD win for Tubbs, later ruled an NC
45Win39–5 (1)Everett MartinUD10Feb 22, 1994The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.
44Win38–5 (1)Willie JacksonUD3Dec 3, 1993Casino Magic, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, U.S.
43Win37–5 (1) Tyrell Biggs UD3Dec 3, 1993Casino Magic, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, U.S.
42Win36–5 (1) Jose Ribalta UD3Dec 3, 1993Casino Magic, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, U.S.
41Win35–5 (1) Daniel Dăncuță UD3Dec 3, 1993 Casino Magic, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, U.S.
40Loss34–5 (1) Jimmy Ellis KO1Aug 16, 1993 Boise, Idaho, U.S.Not Jimmy Ellis the former WBA world heavyweight champion
39Win34–4 (1)Melton BowenUD10Apr 27, 1993The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.
38Win33–4 (1)Alexander ZolkinUD10Feb 2, 1993The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.
37Win32–4 (1) Jesse Ferguson UD10Nov 24, 1992 The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.
36Win31–4 (1) Bruce Seldon UD10Oct 14, 1992Broadway by the Bay Theater, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
35Loss30–4 (1) Lionel Butler KO1 (10), 3:00Aug 18, 1992Bayfront Plaza Auditorium, Pensacola, Florida, U.S.
34Win30–3 (1)Leon TaylorTKO8 (10), 1:07Feb 16, 1992Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.
33Loss29–3 (1) Riddick Bowe UD10Apr 20, 1991 Broadway by the Bay Theater, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
32Win29–2 (1)Lawrence CarterRTD6 (10)Oct 20, 1990 Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
31Win28–2 (1)Mike CohenTKO6 (10), 2:59Jul 28, 1990 Trump's Castle, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
30NC27–2 (1) Orlin Norris MD12Nov 21, 1989Civic Auditorium, Santa Monica, California, U.S. NABF heavyweight title at stake;
Originally an MD win for Tubbs, later ruled an NC after he failed a drug test
29Win27–2Ladislao MijangosTKO3 (10)Jun 24, 1989 Bakersfield, California, U.S.
28Win26–2Eddie RichardsonDQ8 (10), 1:03May 6, 1989 Civic Center, Pensacola, Florida, U.S.Richardson disqualified for an intentional headbutt
27Win25–2Mike EvansUD10Apr 20, 1989 The Strand, Redondo Beach, California, U.S.
26Loss24–2 Mike Tyson TKO2 (12), 2:54 Mar 21, 1988 Tokyo Dome, Tokyo, JapanFor WBA, WBC, and IBF heavyweight titles
25Win24–1Eddie GonzalesRTD3 (10), 3:00Sep 29, 1987Celebrity Theatre, Anaheim, California, U.S.
24Win23–1Jerry HalsteadUD10May 30, 1987 Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.
23Win22–1Mike JamesonUD10Apr 20, 1987Civic Auditorium, Santa Monica, California, U.S.
22Loss21–1 Tim Witherspoon MD15Jan 17, 1986 Omni Coliseum, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.Lost WBA heavyweight title
21Win21–0 Greg Page UD15Apr 29, 1985 Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.Won WBA heavyweight title
20Win20–0 James Smith UD10Mar 15, 1985Riviera, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.
19Win19–0Tim MillerTKO2 (10)Jan 16, 1985Riviera, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.
18Win18–0Jerry WilliamsTKO7 (10), 2:39Nov 9, 1984 Riviera, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.
17Win17–0Tom TrimmTKO2 (10)Mar 18, 1984 Civic Auditorium, Santa Monica, California, U.S.
16Win16–0Gordon RacetteUD10Sep 9, 1983 Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
15Win15–0 Jimmy Young UD10Apr 10, 1983 Hilton, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
14Win14–0Larry GivensTKO7 (10), 1:06Feb 25, 1983 Cincinnati Gardens, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
13Win13–0Steve ZouskiTKO5 (10)Sep 18, 1982 Sands, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
12Win12–0 Clarence Hill UD10Aug 7, 1982 University, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.
11Win11–0Clayman ParkerTKO1, 2:02Jun 12, 1982Playboy Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
10Win10–0Baker TinsleyKO3, 1:41Apr 11, 1982 Playboy Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
9Win9–0Don HalpinUD8Dec 18, 1981 David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
8Win8–0Jesse BrownTKO1, 2:24Nov 21, 1981Vegas Club, Erlanger, Kentucky, U.S.
7Win7–0Dennis WimberlyTKO2, 2:35Aug 21, 1981 Thomas Dunn Sports Center, Elizabeth, New Jersey, U.S.
6Win6–0Mike CreelRTD3 (8), 3:00Nov 29, 1980 Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
5Win5–0Larry SimsTKO3 (6)Nov 22, 1980Riverfront Coliseum, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
4Win4–0John L JohnsonTKO1 (6), 2:17Nov 14, 1980 Jai-Alai Fronton, Miami, Florida, U.S.
3Win3–0Ron DraperPTS6Nov 7, 1980 HemisFair Arena, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
2Win2–0Ron DraperTKO4 (6), 0:54Aug 2, 1980Riverfront Coliseum, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
1Win1–0Bruce ScottTKO1 (6), 1:13Jun 14, 1980 Riverfront Coliseum, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.

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References

  1. ↑ BoxRec. "Tony Tubbs Amateur Career". BoxRec. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
  2. ↑ "Igor Vysotsky Boxing Record". BoxRec. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
  3. ↑ Frazier sees self in son, Lansing State Journal, December 9, 1979, p. 53.
  4. ↑ Tony Tubbs Career Record at BoxingRecords.com. Last updated: March 1, 2006.
  5. ↑ "In the News - Tony Tubbs". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 23 March 2015.
  6. ↑ Last, First. "The 50 Closest and Sometimes Controversial Decisions in Boxing: Volume 3". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 2023-10-18.
  7. ↑ "Boxing – WBA Heavyweight Championship – Champ Greg Page VS Tony "TNT" Tubbs". ImaSportsphile. 2016-06-19. Retrieved 2023-10-18.

Sources

Sporting positions
Amateur boxing titles
Previous:
Greg Page 		U.S. heavyweight champion
1985, 1986		Next:
Marvis Frazier
Regional boxing titles
Preceded by West Virginia
heavyweight champion
December 30, 2004 – 2006
Retired		Vacant
Title next held by
Justin Howes
World boxing titles
Preceded by
Greg Page
 WBA heavyweight champion
April 29, 1985 – January 17, 1986		Succeeded by
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