Pinklon Thomas
Pinklon Thomas (born February 10, 1958) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1978 to 1993. He held the WBC heavyweight title from 1984 to 1986, and was the first IBO heavyweight champion, holding the title from 1992 to 1993. Thomas' distinguishing characteristics were his pink boxing trunks and a powerful left jab.
Pinklon Thomas | |
---|---|
Statistics | |
Nickname(s) | Pink |
Weight(s) | Heavyweight |
Height | 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) |
Reach | 77 in (196 cm) |
Nationality | American |
Born | Pontiac, Michigan, U.S. | February 10, 1958
Stance | Orthodox |
Boxing record | |
Total fights | 51 |
Wins | 43 |
Wins by KO | 34 |
Losses | 7 |
Draws | 1 |
Early life
A native of Pontiac, Michigan, who also lived on military bases in South Carolina and Washington, Thomas eventually settled in Orlando, Florida.
Professional career
Thomas turned professional after just three amateur fights. By 1984, with a record of 24–0–1, he would get his first world title shot against reigning WBC heavyweight champion Tim Witherspoon in August 1984, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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 vs. Tyson
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.
Later Career
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
51 fights | 43 wins | 7 losses |
By knockout | 34 | 5 |
By decision | 9 | 2 |
Draws | 1 |
No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
51 | Loss | 43–7–1 | TKO | 7 (12), 0:47 | Jan 29, 1993 | Lost WBF (Federation) heavyweight title | ||
50 | Win | 43–6–1 | SD | 12 | Nov 14, 1992 | Won inaugural IBO and WBF (Federation) heavyweight titles | ||
49 | Win | 42–6–1 | TKO | 3 (10) | Oct 22, 1992 | |||
48 | Win | 41–6–1 | TKO | 5 (10), 2:06 | Oct 2, 1992 | |||
47 | Win | 40–6–1 | KO | 1 (10) | Sep 25, 1992 | |||
46 | Win | 39–6–1 | KO | 1 | Sep 19, 1992 | |||
45 | Win | 38–6–1 | KO | 1 (10) | Sep 5, 1992 | |||
44 | Win | 37–6–1 | KO | 1 (10) | Aug 22, 1992 | |||
43 | Win | 36–6–1 | UD | 10 | Aug 14, 1992 | |||
42 | Win | 35–6–1 | KO | 1 (10) | Aug 8, 1992 | |||
41 | Win | 34–6–1 | TKO | 1 (10) | Aug 1, 1992 | |||
40 | Win | 33–6–1 | KO | 2 (10) | Jul 31, 1992 | |||
39 | Win | 32–6–1 | UD | 10 | Jun 27, 1992 | |||
38 | Win | 31–6–1 | KO | 3 (10), 1:44 | May 29, 1992 | |||
37 | Loss | 30–6–1 | RTD | 1 (10), 3:00 | Feb 19, 1991 | |||
36 | Loss | 30–5–1 | RTD | 8 (10), 3:00 | Sep 7, 1990 | |||
35 | Loss | 30–4–1 | UD | 10 | Jun 12, 1990 | |||
34 | Win | 30–3–1 | UD | 10 | May 23, 1990 | |||
33 | Loss | 29–3–1 | RTD | 7 (10), 3:00 | Dec 9, 1988 | |||
32 | Loss | 29–2–1 | TKO | 6 (12), 2:00 | May 30, 1987 | For WBA and WBC heavyweight titles | ||
31 | Win | 29–1–1 | TKO | 7 (10), 2:54 | Mar 7, 1987 | |||
30 | Win | 28–1–1 | TKO | 7 (10), 1:10 | Nov 22, 1986 | |||
29 | Win | 27–1–1 | KO | 5 (10) | Oct 16, 1986 | |||
28 | Loss | 26–1–1 | UD | 12 | Mar 22, 1986 | Lost WBC heavyweight title | ||
27 | Win | 26–0–1 | TKO | 8 (12), 1:42 | Jun 15, 1985 | Retained WBC heavyweight title | ||
26 | Win | 25–0–1 | MD | 12 | Aug 31, 1984 | Won WBC heavyweight title | ||
25 | Win | 24–0–1 | RTD | 5 (10), 0:01 | Jun 20, 1984 | |||
24 | Win | 23–0–1 | UD | 10 | Oct 27, 1983 | |||
23 | Win | 22–0–1 | TKO | 5 (10), 1:15 | Sep 24, 1983 | |||
22 | Win | 21–0–1 | TKO | 10 (10), 2:36 | Mar 26, 1983 | |||
21 | Draw | 20–0–1 | MD | 10 | Jan 22, 1983 | |||
20 | Win | 20–0 | TKO | 8 (10), 0:58 | Aug 14, 1982 | |||
19 | Win | 19–0 | KO | 2 (10), 1:29 | Jul 3, 1982 | |||
18 | Win | 18–0 | RTD | 2 (10), 3:00 | May 23, 1982 | |||
17 | Win | 17–0 | PTS | 8 | Jan 23, 1982 | |||
16 | Win | 16–0 | KO | 2 (10) | Nov 25, 1981 | |||
15 | Win | 15–0 | KO | 1 (10) | Apr 16, 1981 | |||
14 | Win | 14–0 | UD | 10 | Aug 28, 1980 | |||
13 | Win | 13–0 | KO | 4 (10) | Jun 15, 1980 | |||
12 | Win | 12–0 | RTD | 5 (10), 3:00 | Feb 10, 1980 | |||
11 | Win | 11–0 | TKO | 5 (10), 3:00 | Dec 14, 1979 | |||
10 | Win | 10–0 | KO | 10 (10), 2:48 | Jul 18, 1979 | |||
9 | Win | 9–0 | TKO | 2 (10), 2:52 | Jul 2, 1979 | |||
8 | Win | 8–0 | TKO | 2 (8), 1:20 | Jun 7, 1979 | |||
7 | Win | 7–0 | KO | 2 (10), 2:28 | May 23, 1979 | |||
6 | Win | 6–0 | KO | 2 (10) | Apr 26, 1979 | |||
5 | Win | 5–0 | TKO | 5 (10) | Apr 4, 1979 | |||
4 | Win | 4–0 | TKO | 4 (8) | Feb 20, 1979 | |||
3 | Win | 3–0 | TKO | 7 (8) | Jan 8, 1979 | |||
2 | Win | 2–0 | TKO | 3 (6) | Oct 31, 1978 | |||
1 | Win | 1–0 | SD | 6 | Aug 29, 1978 |
External links
Sporting positions | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Minor world boxing titles | ||||
Inaugural champion | WBF (Federation) heavyweight champion November 14, 1992 – January 29, 1993 |
Succeeded by Lawrence Carter | ||
IBO heavyweight champion November 14, 1992 – January 1993 Vacated |
Vacant Title next held by Lionel Butler | |||
Major world boxing titles | ||||
Preceded by Tim Witherspoon |
WBC heavyweight champion August 31, 1984 – March 22, 1986 |
Succeeded by Trevor Berbick |