Michael Dokes

Michael Marshall Dokes (August 10, 1958 – August 11, 2012) was an American professional boxer who competed from 1976 to 1997, and held the WBA heavyweight title from 1982 to 1983. As an amateur he won a silver medal in the heavyweight division at the 1975 Pan American Games.

Michael Dokes
Statistics
Real nameMichael Marshall Dokes
Nickname(s)Dynamite
Weight(s)Heavyweight
Height6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Reach78 in (198 cm)
NationalityAmerican
Born(1958-08-10)August 10, 1958
Akron, Ohio, U.S.
DiedAugust 11, 2012(2012-08-11) (aged 54)
Akron, Ohio, U.S.
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights61
Wins53
Wins by KO33
Losses6
Draws2
Medal record
Men's amateur boxing
Representing  United States
Pan American Games
Mexico City 1975 Heavyweight

Amateur career

Dokes won a silver medal at the 1975 Pan American Games. He lost a 5-0 decision to Teófilo Stevenson in the finals. He also lost a close decision to John Tate in the Olympic trials in 1976, after which he turned professional.

Amateur accomplishments
  • 1975 National AAU Heavyweight Champion
  • 1976 National Golden Gloves Heavyweight Champion, beating future pro champs John Tate and Greg Page en route.
  • As an underage 15-year-old, made it to the finals of both the 1974 National Golden Gloves and the National AAU tournaments. He lost to Leon Spinks in AAU final, and future Tyson trainer Bobby Stewart in the Golden Gloves final.
  • Won 1974 North American championships.
  • Beat Marvin Stinson, who won the 1976 National AAU Heavyweight Championship.

Professional career

Dokes turned professional in 1976. He received national exposure in a televised exhibition with Muhammad Ali in 1977, which saw Ali clown and mug while slipping Dokes' punches, but also revealed glimpses of Dokes' potential.[1] He came to real prominence in 1979 by defeating veteran contender Jimmy Young. His career faltered slightly after fighting to a draw with Ossie Ocasio, but Dokes returned to knock out Ocasio in one round soon thereafter. By early 1982, after a first-round knockout of Lynn Ball to win the NABF title, Dokes was in line for a title shot. He was ranked #2 by the WBC and #3 by the WBA. Dokes became WBA heavyweight champion in 1982 by knocking out Mike Weaver in the first round in a match held weeks after the Ray Mancini-Duk Koo Kim lightweight title fight that ended in Kim's death. Because of Nevada State Athletic Commission instructions to referee Joey Curtis regarding the stoppage of the fight in light of the incident, some felt it was premature. In the rematch, Dokes retained his title on a majority draw.

Dokes's reign as the WBA title holder was short-lived. He lost his title by a tenth-round knockout to Gerrie Coetzee. He was later knocked out by future champion Evander Holyfield.

Dokes was knocked out by Donovan Ruddock in 1990. In 1993, Dokes faced newly crowned heavyweight champion Riddick Bowe in his first title defense since defeating Evander Holyfield. Bowe won by TKO in the first round. Although Dokes and his team protested that the fight was stopped prematurely, it was obvious that Dokes was in no condition to continue after taking a vicious barrage of punches from the heavy hitting Bowe. After a nearly three-year hiatus, Dokes returned to the ring winning 3 out 5 matches over a two-year period before retiring for good in 1997.

Life after boxing

In 1999 Dokes was sentenced to between four and 15 years in prison after being convicted of an attack on his fiancee in August 1998. Late in 2008, Dokes was released on parole.[2] Dokes died of liver cancer at a hospice in Akron in August 2012, a day after his 54th birthday.[3][4]

Professional boxing record
Professional record summary
61 fights 53 wins 6 losses
By knockout 34 5
By decision 19 1
Draws 2
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
61 Loss 53–6–2 Paul Phillips TKO 2 (10) Oct 11, 1997 Peels Palace, Erlanger, Kentucky, U.S.
60 Loss 53–5–2 Louis Monaco PTS 10 Apr 5, 1997 Aztlan Theatre, Denver, Colorado, U.S.
59 Win 53–4–2 Doug Davis PTS 10 Dec 10, 1996 Tempe, Arizona, U.S.
58 Win 52–4–2 Dave Fiddler KO 2 (10) Jul 27, 1996 Lucky Eagle Casino, Rochester, Washington, U.S.
57 Win 51–4–2 Dave Slaughter KO 3 Nov 18, 1995 Aurora, Colorado, U.S.
56 Loss 50–4–2 Riddick Bowe TKO 1 (12), 2:19 Feb 6, 1993 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. For WBA, IBF, and lineal heavyweight titles
55 Win 50–3–2 Barry Forbes UD 10 Oct 27, 1992 Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
54 Win 49–3–2 Jose Ribalta UD 10 Oct 6, 1992 Mahi Shrine Temple, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
53 Win 48–3–2 Jesse Ferguson UD 10 Jul 28, 1992 Broadway by the Bay Theater, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
52 Win 47–3–2 Danny Sutton KO 3 (10), 2:54 Apr 16, 1992 Paramount Theatre, New York City, New York, U.S.
51 Win 46–3–2 Percell Davis RTD 5 (10), 3:00 Mar 21, 1992 CSU Convocation Center, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
50 Win 45–3–2 Danny Wofford TKO 9 (10), 2:10 Feb 14, 1992 The Aladdin, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
49 Win 44–3–2 Danny Stonewalker TKO 6 (10), 2:39 Jan 21, 1992 Union Plaza Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
48 Win 43–3–2 Tyrone Armstrong KO 4 (10), 1:32 Dec 27, 1991 Union Plaza Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
47 Win 42–3–2 John Morton PTS 8 Nov 29, 1991 The Mirage, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
46 Loss 41–3–2 Donovan Ruddock KO 4 (12), 0:53 Apr 4, 1990 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. Lost WBA Inter-Continental heavyweight title
45 Win 41–2–2 Jorge Alfredo Dascola TKO 11 (12), 1:05 Feb 5, 1990 Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S. Retained WBA Inter-Continental heavyweight title
44 Win 40–2–2 Lionel Washington TKO 8 (12), 0:49 Nov 13, 1989 Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S. Won vacant WBA Inter-Continental heavyweight title
43 Win 39–2–2 Wesley Watson TKO 3 (10), 2:25 Aug 24, 1989 Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
42 Win 38–2–2 Bobby Crabtree KO 1 (10), 1:46 Jul 13, 1989 Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
41 Loss 37–2–2 Evander Holyfield TKO 10 (12), 1:41 Mar 11, 1989 Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Lost WBC Continental Americas heavyweight title
40 Win 37–1–2 Rocky Sekorski UD 12 Dec 9, 1988 Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Retained WBC Continental Americas heavyweight title
39 Win 36–1–2 Curtis Isaac TKO 4 (10), 2:21 Oct 27, 1988 Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
38 Win 35–1–2 Manoel De Almeida RTD 4 (10), 3:00 Jul 28, 1988 Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
37 Win 34–1–2 Andrew Stokes TKO 1 (10), 2:58 Jun 27, 1988 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
36 Win 33–1–2 James Pritchard TKO 7 (12), 2:32 Apr 28, 1988 Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S. Won vacant WBC Continental Americas heavyweight title
35 Win 32–1–2 Eddie Richardson TKO 10 (10), 2:15 Feb 24, 1988 Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
34 Win 31–1–2 Ken Lakusta TKO 7 (10), 2:52 Jan 22, 1988 Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
33 Win 30–1–2 Kevin Porter TKO 5 (10), 0:25 Dec 17, 1987 Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
32 Win 29–1–2 Randall Cobb TD 4 (12), 1:03 Mar 15, 1985 Riviera, Winchester, Nevada, U.S. Won vacant WBC Continental Americas heavyweight title;
Majority TD after Dokes was cut from an accidental head clash
31 Win 28–1–2 Young Louis TKO 2 (10), 2:29 Feb 16, 1985 Andy Murphy Midtown Neighborhood Center, Kingston, New York, U.S.
30 Win 27–1–2 Mike Jameson UD 10 Aug 31, 1984 Riviera, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.
29 Loss 26–1–2 Gerrie Coetzee KO 10 (15), 3:08 Sep 23, 1983 Coliseum, Richfield, Ohio, U.S. Lost WBA heavyweight title
28 Draw 26–0–2 Mike Weaver MD 15 May 20, 1983 Dunes, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Retained WBA heavyweight title
27 Win 26–0–1 Mike Weaver TKO 1 (15), 1:03 Dec 10, 1982 Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Won WBA heavyweight title
26 Win 25–0–1 Tommy Franco Thomas KO 5 (12), 1:33 Mar 20, 1982 Playboy Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Retained NABF heavyweight title
25 Win 24–0–1 Lynn Ball TKO 1 (12), 2:56 Jan 30, 1982 Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Won NABF heavyweight title
24 Win 23–0–1 George Chaplin UD 10 Nov 6, 1981 Civic Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
23 Win 22–0–1 Harry Terrell KO 1 (10), 1:25 Aug 9, 1981 Public Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
22 Win 21–0–1 John L. Gardner KO 4 (10), 1:54 Jun 12, 1981 Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
21 Win 20–0–1 Randall Cobb MD 10 Mar 22, 1981 Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
20 Win 19–0–1 Tom Fischer TKO 7 (10), 1:17 Oct 2, 1980 Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
19 Win 18–0–1 Ossie Ocasio TKO 1 (10), 2:33 Jun 27, 1980 San Juan, Puerto Rico
18 Draw 17–0–1 Ossie Ocasio SD 10 Apr 19, 1980 San Juan, Puerto Rico
17 Win 17–0 Lucien Rodriguez UD 10 Feb 10, 1980 Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
16 Win 16–0 Earl Tripp KO 1 (10), 2:59 Jan 13, 1980 Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
15 Win 15–0 Jimmy Young UD 10 Sep 28, 1979 Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
14 Win 14–0 Willie McIntyre KO 2 (10), 2:56 Jul 20, 1979 Auditorium, West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S.
13 Win 13–0 Greg Sorrentino KO 3 (10) May 12, 1979 Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
12 Win 12–0 Wendell Bailey SD 10 Mar 23, 1979 Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.
11 Win 11–0 Ira Martin TKO 8 (8), 1:51 Dec 8, 1978 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
10 Win 10–0 Eugene Green UD 8 Oct 27, 1978 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
9 Win 9–0 Terry Mims UD 8 Sep 26, 1978 Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
8 Win 8–0 Dan Johnson UD 6 Apr 29, 1978 The Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
7 Win 7–0 Abdul Khan UD 8 Mar 25, 1978 Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
6 Win 6–0 George Holden KO 2 (8) Mar 3, 1978 Rif Stadion, Willemstad, Netherlands Antilles
5 Win 5–0 Ed Turner PTS 6 Apr 10, 1977 Fontainbleau, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
4 Win 4–0 Charlie Jordan TKO 3 (4) Mar 6, 1977 Correctional Facility, Marion, Ohio, U.S.
3 Win 3–0 Dave Wilson PTS 4 Jan 29, 1977 Fontainebleau, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
2 Win 2–0 Sergio Rodriguez TKO 2 Jan 16, 1977 USS Lexington (CV-16), Pensacola, Florida, U.S.
1 Win 1–0 Al Byrd RTD 2 (4), 3:00 Oct 15, 1976 Hollywood Sportatorium, Pembroke Pines, Florida, U.S.
gollark: Enchanted book tier list.
gollark: I just use Firefox but block the "science" endpoint.
gollark: I see.
gollark: They randomly consume too much RAM and CPU, you have to have Java and all the dependency stuff, and actually that's mostly it.
gollark: Minecraft servers are an administrative hassle.

References
  1. Video on YouTube
  2. Gambling Magazine Archived 2006-09-09 at the Wayback Machine
Sporting positions
Amateur boxing titles
Previous:
Dwain Bonds		 U.S. heavyweight champion
1975		 Next:
Marvin Stinson
Previous:
Emory Chapman		 U.S. Golden Gloves
heavyweight champion
1976		 Next:
James Clark
Regional boxing titles
Preceded by
Lynn Ball		 NABF heavyweight champion
January 30, 1982 – December 1982
Vacated		 Vacant
Title next held by
Tim Witherspoon
Vacant
Title last held by
Bernardo Mercado		 WBC Continental Americas
heavyweight champion
March 15, 1985 – December 1985
Vacated		 Vacant
Title next held by
Leon Spinks
Vacant
Title last held by
Leon Spinks		 WBC Continental Americas
heavyweight champion
April 28, 1988 – March 11, 1989		 Succeeded by
Evander Holyfield
New title WBA Inter-Continental
heavyweight champion
November 13, 1989 – April 4, 1990		 Succeeded by
Donovan Ruddock
World boxing titles
Preceded by
Mike Weaver		 WBA heavyweight champion
December 10, 1982 – September 23, 1983		 Succeeded by
Gerrie Coetzee
Awards
Previous:
Frankie Duarte		 The Ring Comeback of the Year
1988		 Next:
Roberto Durán
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.