Tony Tucker

Tony Craig Tucker (born December 27, 1958) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1980 to 1998. He won the IBF heavyweight title in 1987, and was the shortest-reigning world heavyweight champion, at 64 days. In an interview to Barry Tompkins, he referred to himself as to the "invisible champion," due to the press and general public largely neglecting him.[1] He is best known for giving Mike Tyson in his prime a relatively close fight, in which he, in words of Larry Merchant, "rocked Tyson in the first round,"[1] but Mike managed to withstand pressure and won the decision. As an amateur, he won the 1979 United States national championships, the 1979 World Cup, and a gold medal at the 1979 Pan American Games, all in the light heavyweight division.

For the American football player, see Tony Jaye Tucker Jr.

Tony Tucker
Statistics
Real name	Tony Craig Tucker
Nickname(s)	TNT
Weight(s)	Light heavyweight Heavyweight
Height	6 ft 5 in (196 cm)
Reach	82 in (208 cm)
Nationality	American
Born	(1958-12-27) December 27, 1958 Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S.
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	65
Wins	57
Wins by KO	47
Losses	7
No contests	1
Medal record Men's amateur boxing Representing  United States Pan American Games 1979 San Juan Light heavyweight World Cup 1979 New York Light heavyweight

Amateur career

Tony Tucker became a boxer under influence of his father Bob Tucker, also a former amateur boxer, who became his trainer and manager, put all his wealth into the development of his son's boxing career. Tony fought out of Grand Rapids, Michigan, competing almost entire his amateur career in the light heavyweight division with his billed weight at the 1979 Pan American Games exactly matching the weight limit of the division (178 lbs).[2]

Robert Surkein, the national boxing chairman for the Amateur Athletic Union, said of Tucker: “Believe me, he's better than Leon Spinks. Spinks couldn't hold this kid's gloves at a comparable stage.”[3] Rollie Schwartz, past national chairman of the AAU Boxing Commission, said of Tucker prior to the Olympics, "Tucker is a combination boxer and puncher, much akin to Joe Louis. He comes right at you. I'd take him tomorrow over the two so-called light Heavyweight champs."[4]

Highlights

United States National Championships, Biloxi, Mississippi, April 1978: 1/8: Defeated Jerry Bennett by decision 1/2: Lost to Charles Singleton by decision U.S. National Sports Festival, Fort Carson, Colorado, July 1978: Finals: Lost to Elmer Martin by decision United States National Championships, Lake Charles, Louisiana, May 1979: 1/2: Defeated Kelvin Anderson by decision Finals: Defeated Andre McCoy by decision Pan Am Trials, Toledo, Ohio, May–June 1979: 1/2: Defeated Elliott Chavis by decision Finals: Defeated Andre McCoy by decision

Pan American Games, Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico, July 1979: 1/4: Defeated Sixto Soria (Cuba) by majority decision, 4–1 (Tucker got cut over his left eye at 1:03 of the 3rd round) 1/2: Defeated Patrick Fennel (Canada) RSC 3 Finals: Defeated Dennis Jackson (Puerto Rico) by unanimous decision, 5–0 (Jackson knocked down at 1:46 of the 1st rd) World Cup, Felt Forum, New York City, October 1979: 1/4: Defeated Benny Pike (Australia) by unanimous decision, 5–0 1/2: Defeated Kurt Seiler (West Germany) by unanimous decision, 5–0 Finals: Defeated Albert Nikolyan (Soviet Union) by unanimous decision, 5–0

International Duals

• February 1, 1979, Blackham Coliseum, Lafayette, Louisiana: Lost to Nikolay Yerofeyev (Soviet Union) by decision
• February 11, 1979, Estadio Latinamericano, Havana, Cuba: Lost to Hermenegildo Báez (Cuba) by decision
• February 24, 1979, Blackham Coliseum, Lafayette, Louisiana: Defeated Jacek Kucharczyk (Poland) by split decision, 2–1
• February 10, 1980, Charlotte Coliseum, Charlotte, North Carolina: Defeated Orestes Pedroso (Cuba)
• February 25, 1980, Blaisdell Arena, Honolulu, Hawaii: Defeated Ene Saipaia (Hawaii)
• March 1980, Schwerin, East Germany: Lost to Herbert Bauch (East Germany) by walkover
• March 1980, Schwerin, East Germany: Lost to Werner Kohnert (East Germany) by split decision, 1–2
• March 1980, Rostock, East Germany: Lost to Jürgen Fanghänel (East Germany) DQ 1

1980 Olympics

Since 1979 Tony Tucker anticipated participating in the Moscow Olympics.[5][6] Tucker was an alternate for the United States Olympic Team for the 1980 Summer Olympics (Lee Roy Murphy qualified as the prime.) President Jimmy Carter ordered to boycott the Olympics, which led the U.S. Team to cancel its participation in the Olympics, instead it embarked on a series of exhibitions in Europe. On March 14, 1980, en route to Poland, their plane Polish Airlines IL-62 crashed near Warsaw, with the U.S. boxing team aboard, consisting of 22 boxers, there were no survivors except for several people including Tony Tucker, who luckily missed the flight and stayed in the United States due to various injuries sustained just prior to the accident. At that point Tucker became religious, believing that God spared his life for a purpose, in order for him to become the heavyweight champion of the world. Shortly thereafter Tucker turned pro.[7][1][8]

Tucker finished his amateur career having 121 fights under his belt, with a record of 115–6.[9][10]

Professional career

After turning pro in 1980, Tucker's early fights were often shown on NBC, as part of a collection known as "Tomorrow's Champions".

Tucker's progress in the professional ranks was slow. He was injury prone, and he changed managers and trainers several times. Eventually his father Bob Tucker performed both roles. After enjoying a high-profile upon his professional debut, Tucker spent the majority of the 1980s boxing in off-TV bouts. In addition, he injured his knee in a bout against Danny Sutton, which caused him to miss a little over a year.

In June 1984, he scored a win by knocking out Eddie "The Animal" Lopez in 9 rounds on the undercard of the Tommy Hearns–Roberto Durán fight. It was the first time Lopez had ever been knocked down. In September 1984, he followed it up by outpointing Jimmy Young .

In September 1986, Tucker finally landed a big fight, against 242 lb James "Broad-Axe" Broad, for the USBA belt and a world title eliminator. Tucker won by unanimous decision.

IBF heavyweight champion

Home Box Office and Don King Productions orchestrated a heavyweight unification series for 1987, planning among its bouts a match between reigning IBF champion Michael Spinks and Tucker. Spinks refused to face Tucker, opting instead for a more lucrative bout with Gerry Cooney. The IBF withdrew its championship recognition of Spinks on February 19, mandating that Tucker (as the IBF's number 1-ranked contender) face its number 2 contender, Buster Douglas. Tucker won the bout, and the vacant IBF crown, via 10th-round technical knockout.

Tucker vs. Tyson

Main article: Mike Tyson vs. Tony Tucker

Tucker, as the winner of the IBF title, was obliged to immediately defend his title in a unification bout with WBA and WBC champion Mike Tyson, in what would be the tournament final, where Tucker was a 10-to-1 underdog.[1] Before Tucker was managed by Emmanuel Steward, who received a negotiated percent of each payday. By that time for that same purpose a joint venture named Tucker Inc. was formed by his promoters Cedric Kushner (18% of total share), and Josephine Abercrombie with Jeff Levine (also 18%), partnering with Dennis Rappaport and Alan Kornberg (13%,) and lastly Emmanuel Steward (6%). His father Bob Tucker also secured a share in Tucker Inc. (12%)[11]

Before the fight versus Tyson, Tucker has been on an eight-year-long winning streak, his last defeat was in 1979, while competing in amateurs.

Despite having a broken right hand, Tucker faced Tyson on August 1, 1987.[12] Tyson defeated Tucker by unanimous decision to unify the three championship titles, in the process giving Tucker the distinction of having the shortest championship reign in the history of the Heavyweight division (64 days). According to the HBO Punch Statistics, Tucker landed 174 of 452 punches thrown, while Tyson landed 216 of 412, and in fact outjabbed Tucker, who had more than a 10-inch reach advantage (81½" to 71").[1]

The best praise for Tucker's performance at the ring came from one of the HBO hosts, and one of the greatest boxers of all time pound-for-pound, Sugar Ray Leonard, who said that: "What Tucker displayed tonight was the fact that he is a non-conformist. He did what a lot of us thought he couldn't do, and that's why I respect him so much, because he boxed, he clinched, he was very strategic, very tactical, very intelligent fighter."[1]

Coincidentally, eight years later this exact scenario would unfold to give Tucker another title shot, as the WBA would withdraw its championship recognition of George Foreman on March 4, 1995 after Foreman refused to face Tucker (who was its designated #1 contender). Unlike the 1987 scenario, this time Tucker would not earn a championship, as he would lose the match mandated by the WBA, against #2-ranked contender Bruce Seldon.

Comeback

Main article: Lennox Lewis vs. Tony Tucker

Tucker returned to boxing in 1990, and by 1992 was back in Don King's stable. He won the NABF belt with a split decision over the highly ranked Orlin Norris, and successfully defended it against future world champion Oliver McCall, winning another 12-round decision. He finished 1992 with a 6th-round TKO of Frankie Swindell and set himself up for another world title shot.

By 1993, Tucker had run his record up to 48–1 and in May of that year he challenged Lennox Lewis for the WBC world heavyweight title. Lewis won a 12-round unanimous decision, knocking down Tucker twice (for a first time in his career.) It was the first time in 34-year-old Tucker's career that he had been off his feet.

"They tried to force me to fight Tony Tucker. And I remember looking at Tony Tucker, and saying, 'Mama didn't raise no fools. I'm not fighting him.' And they took the titles. Some people I'm not gonna fight. That's the good reason. I didn't want to fight him. Too tough."

—George Foreman, on his refusal to fight Tucker.[13]

In 1995, George Foreman, who beat Michael Moorer in November 1994 to become the oldest heavyweight champion in history, refused to defend his WBA world heavyweight title against Tucker, choosing to fight German Axel Schulz. For the noncompliance with the rules the WBA officials stripped Foreman of the title. Tucker and Bruce Seldon fought for the vacant WBA belt in April 1995. Seldon won by TKO after 7 rounds when doctors stopped the fight due to Tucker's eye closing shut.

Tucker lost his shot at a rematch when later that year he was outpointed by a newly signed Don King heavyweight, British-Nigerian boxer Henry Akinwande, over ten rounds.

In 1996 he was outpointed by old rival Orlin Norris. He scored two low-key wins in California, and in 1997 traveled to the U.K. to challenge Herbie Hide for the vacant WBO title. Tucker was dropped three times and knocked out in round 2.

In 1998 Tucker challenged John Ruiz for his NABF belt. Despite a big 6th round where he had Ruiz in trouble, Tucker was eventually stopped in the 11th round.

He came back in May to knock out journeyman Billy Wright in one round, but later had his license revoked due to medical concerns about Tucker's vision.

Professional boxing record

Professional record summary

65 fights	57 wins	7 losses
By knockout	47	3
By decision	10	4
No contests	1

No.	Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round, time	Date	Location	Notes
65	Win	57–7 (1)	Billy Wright	KO	1 (10), 2:08	May 7, 1998	Sam's Town Hotel & Casino, Tunica, Mississippi, U.S.
64	Loss	56–7 (1)	John Ruiz	TKO	11 (12), 0:58	Jan 31, 1998	Ice Palace, Tampa, Florida, U.S.	For NABF heavyweight title
63	Win	56–6 (1)	Jerry Haynes	TKO	3 (10)	Dec 16, 1997	Music City Mix Factory, Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
62	Win	55–6 (1)	Abdul Muhaymin	UD	10	Nov 18, 1997	Music City Mix Factory, Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
61	Loss	54–6 (1)	Herbie Hide	TKO	2 (12), 2:45	Jun 28, 1997	Sports Village, Norwich, England	For vacant WBO heavyweight title
60	Win	54–5 (1)	Tyrone Campbell	KO	3 (10), 2:16	Dec 16, 1996	Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S.
59	Win	53–5 (1)	David Dixon	KO	1 (12), 2:24	Jun 29, 1996	Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S.	For vacant NABF heavyweight title
58	Loss	52–5 (1)	Orlin Norris	MD	10	Feb 24, 1996	Coliseum, Richmond, Virginia, U.S.
57	Loss	52–4 (1)	Henry Akinwande	UD	10	Dec 16, 1995	CoreStates Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
56	Loss	52–3 (1)	Bruce Seldon	RTD	7 (12), 3:00	Apr 8, 1995	Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.	For vacant WBA heavyweight title
55	Win	52–2 (1)	Dan Murphy	TKO	3	Dec 10, 1994	Estadio de Béisbol, Monterrey, Mexico
54	Win	51–2 (1)	Cecil Coffee	TKO	2 (10)	Jul 2, 1994	The Mirage, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
53	Win	50–2 (1)	George Stephens	TKO	1 (10)	Feb 19, 1994	Coliseum, Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.
52	Win	49–2 (1)	David Graves	TKO	2	Dec 18, 1993	Estadio Cuauhtémoc, Puebla City, Mexico
51	Loss	48–2 (1)	Lennox Lewis	UD	12	May 8, 1993	Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.	For WBC heavyweight title
50	Win	48–1 (1)	Frankie Swindell	RTD	6 (10), 3:00	Dec 13, 1992	The Mirage, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
49	Win	47–1 (1)	Paul Poirier	TKO	4 (10)	Nov 7, 1992	Caesars Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada, U.S.
48	Win	46–1 (1)	Everett Martin	PTS	10	Sep 12, 1992	Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
47	Win	45–1 (1)	Oliver McCall	SD	10	Jun 26, 1992	CSU Convocation Center, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.	Retained NABF heavyweight title
46	Win	44–1 (1)	Jesus Contreras	TKO	6 (10), 1:27	Apr 22, 1992	Brendan Byrne Arena, East Rutherford, New Jersey, U.S.
45	Win	43–1 (1)	Mike Faulkner	KO	2	Apr 10, 1992	Toreo de Cuatro Caminos, Mexico City, Mexico
44	Win	42–1 (1)	Kimmuel Odum	TKO	2 (10), 1:40	Feb 15, 1992	The Mirage, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
43	Win	41–1 (1)	Orlin Norris	SD	12	Jun 3, 1991	Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.	Won NABF heavyweight title
42	Win	40–1 (1)	James Ray Thomas	KO	1 (10), 1:43	Apr 29, 1991	Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
41	Win	39–1 (1)	Lionel Washington	KO	1 (12), 1:11	Jan 28, 1991	Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.	Won California State heavyweight title
40	Win	38–1 (1)	Mike Rouse	TKO	5 (10), 2:27	Jul 19, 1990	Kingdome, Seattle, Washington, U.S.
39	Win	37–1 (1)	Mike Evans	UD	10	Mar 8, 1990	Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
38	Win	36–1 (1)	Calvin Jones	KO	5 (10), 2:09	Jan 8, 1990	Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
37	Win	35–1 (1)	Dino Homsey	KO	3 (10), 1:37	Dec 12, 1989	Memorial Sports Arena, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
36	Loss	34–1 (1)	Mike Tyson	UD	12	Aug 1, 1987	Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.	Lost IBF heavyweight title; For WBA and WBC heavyweight titles
35	Win	34–0 (1)	Buster Douglas	TKO	10 (15), 1:36	May 30, 1987	Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.	Won vacant IBF heavyweight title
34	Win	33–0 (1)	James Broad	UD	12	Sep 26, 1986	Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.	Won vacant USBA heavyweight title
33	Win	32–0 (1)	Otis Bates	KO	2	Aug 7, 1986	Houston, Texas, U.S.
32	Win	31–0 (1)	Eddie Richardson	KO	4 (10)	Jul 10, 1986	Houston, Texas, U.S.
31	Win	30–0 (1)	Eddie Richardson	UD	10	Feb 27, 1986	Cobo Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
30	Win	29–0 (1)	David Jaco	TKO	3	Oct 19, 1985	Stade Louis II, Monte Carlo, Monaco
29	Win	28–0 (1)	Bobby Crabtree	TKO	4 (10)	Jun 28, 1985	Hammond, Indiana, U.S.
28	Win	27–0 (1)	Danny Sutton	UD	10	Nov 2, 1984	Congress Plaza Hotel, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
27	Win	26–0 (1)	O. T. Davis	KO	1 (10), 1:58	Nov 2, 1984	Cobo Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
26	Win	25–0 (1)	Jimmy Young	UD	10	Sep 22, 1984	Gerald R. Ford Fieldhouse, Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S.
25	Win	24–0 (1)	Eddie Lopez	KO	9 (10), 1:26	Jun 15, 1984	Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
24	Win	23–0 (1)	Dave Johnson	TKO	2 (10), 1:16	May 9, 1984	Bismarck Hotel, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
23	Win	22–0 (1)	Walter Santemore	TKO	1, 2:29	Apr 19, 1984	Cobo Hall, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
22	Win	21–0 (1)	Sam Jeter	KO	1 (10), 1:29	Mar 15, 1984	Congress Plaza Hotel, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
21	Win	20–0 (1)	Larry Givens	KO	4 (10), 2:30	Feb 24, 1984	Congress Plaza Hotel, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
20	Win	19–0 (1)	James Dixon	TKO	6 (10), 2:58	Dec 20, 1983	Congress Plaza Hotel, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
19	Win	18–0 (1)	Lynwood Jones	KO	5 (10), 2:12	Dec 1, 1983	Da Vinci Manor, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
18	Win	17–0 (1)	James Holly	TKO	1 (4)	Nov 7, 1983	Da Vinci Manor, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
17	NC	16–0 (1)	Danny Sutton	TKO	3 (10)	Aug 12, 1982	Hyatt Regency, Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.	Originally a TKO win for Sutton after Tucker was unable to continue from an accidental clash of knees, later ruled an NC
16	Win	16–0	Richard Cade	TKO	7	Jul 8, 1982	Sands, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
15	Win	15–0	Lupe Guerra	TKO	2, 1:36	Jun 30, 1982	War Memorial Arena, Syracuse, New York, U.S.
14	Win	14–0	James Dixon	PTS	8	Jun 15, 1982	Tropicana, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
13	Win	13–0	Charles Atlas	TKO	1 (10), 2:05	Jun 5, 1982	War Memorial Arena, Syracuse, New York, U.S.
12	Win	12–0	Grady Daniels	TKO	5	May 18, 1982	Tropicana, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
11	Win	11–0	Frank Farmer	KO	1	Oct 17, 1981	Traverse City, Michigan, U.S.
10	Win	10–0	Harvey Steichen	TKO	3 (8), 0:50	Sep 16, 1981	Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
9	Win	9–0	Jerry Hunter	KO	1	Aug 22, 1981	Glacier Arena, Traverse City, Michigan, U.S.
8	Win	8–0	Chip Tyler	TKO	7 (8)	Apr 30, 1981	Hacienda Resort Hotel and Casino, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
7	Win	7–0	Al Jones	TKO	1 (10)	Apr 9, 1981	Cobo Hall, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
6	Win	6–0	Robert Evans	TKO	6 (6)	Feb 23, 1981	Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
5	Win	5–0	Willie Kents	KO	1 (6)	Jan 29, 1981	Cobo Hall, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
4	Win	4–0	Victor Rodriguez	TKO	2 (6), 2:17	Jan 16, 1981	HemisFair Arena, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
3	Win	3–0	Max Smith	KO	5 (6)	Dec 11, 1980	International Amphitheatre, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
2	Win	2–0	Jesse Clark	KO	1 (6), 2:04	Dec 2, 1980	Sports Arena, Toledo, Ohio, U.S.
1	Win	1–0	Chuck Gardner	KO	3 (6), 2:58	Nov 1, 1980	Caesars Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada, U.S.	Professional debut

References

1. Mike Tyson vs Tony Tucker 31st of 58 - Aug. 1987 "The Ultimate"
2. Felt Forum Features Cup Boxing Tonight. New York Times, October 11, 1979.
3. American Boxers Striking Gold. New York Times, July 16, 1979.
4. Schwartz: Sugar Ray Will Feast on Duran by Pat Rushton, Citizens' Voice, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, May 3, 1980, p. 29.
5. U.S. Athletes Look to Moscow: Optimism but Apprehension. New York Times, August 13, 1979.
6. Amateur boxing strong enough to survive boycott by Ed Schuyler (Associated Press), The Philadelphia Inquirer, May 21, 1980, p. 25.
7. A Shaken Tony Tucker Thanks God For His Life.
8. The Dead Boxers by Ronnie Shields, Elyria Chronicle Telegram, March 15, 1980, p. 3.
9. Tony Tucker Amateur Record at the BoxingRecords. Last updated : March 1, 2006.
10. Unbeaten Tucker is 10-1 underdog, Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph, July 31, 1987, p. 26.
11. A Ringside Affair: Boxing’s Last Golden Age, p. 110.
12. Gustkey, Earl (January 5, 1990). "For One Moment, Tucker Had It All : Boxing: He came closest to beating Tyson in 1987 and now yearns for another shot at title.". Los Angeles Times. tronc. Retrieved December 29, 2016.
13. George Foreman | Full Address and Q&A (13 July 2016), Oxford Union.

External links

• Boxing record for Tony Tucker from BoxRec

Sporting positions
Amateur boxing titles
Previous: Elmer Martin	U.S. light heavyweight champion 1979	Next: Jeff Lampkin
Regional boxing titles
Vacant Title last held by Trevor Berbick	USBA heavyweight champion September 26, 1986 – May 30, 1987 Won IBF title	Vacant Title next held by Carl Williams
Preceded by Lionel Washington	California State heavyweight champion January 28, 1991 – February 1993 Vacated	Vacant Title next held by Lionel Butler
Preceded by Orlin Norris	NABF heavyweight champion June 3, 1991 – December 1992 Vacated	Vacant Title next held by Alex García
Vacant Title last held by Alexander Zolkin	NABF heavyweight champion June 29, 1996 – December 1996 Vacated	Vacant Title next held by John Ruiz
World boxing titles
Vacant Title last held by Michael Spinks	IBF heavyweight champion May 30, 1987 – August 1, 1987	Succeeded by Mike Tyson
Records
Preceded by James Smith 86 days	Shortest world heavyweight title reign 64 days May 30, 1987 – August 1, 1987	Incumbent