"Dokes-Weaver 2" from '83 Vegas heat. A forgotten gem. Why?

Dokes was a guy that always got the breaks. Later on he was very fortunate in that Cobb rematch to have it stopped on that cut. He looked horrible in there and was well on his way to a loss when that headbutt halted things. It was the best thing that could have happened. Cobb was actually landing the better combos and there is no way in the world he should be beating a Dokes that way, especially early in a fight.

 

Yeah, i was shocked how sharp Cobb was looking :shock:

 

Remember watching it live on a Saturday morning Australian time. Watched both WBA and WBC fights again last month. Weaver won 9-6 rds. A good fight, bad decision. I loved Michael Dokes growing up. But he got beat. Spoon also got robbed. 8-4 rds.

 

You had Weaver over Dokes 9-6 and Witherspoon over Holmes 8-4??????

 

I liked Michael Dokes as a fighter as well, but I felt many had overrated his potential.His power was a bit suspect, and he could tire after a few rounds.Always admired his toughness as a fighter, and a man.:good

 

His power actually came quite good somewhere not long before the Weaver fight. Very respectable puncher thereafter where he may have even won a feather fists award a couple of years prior. He was certainly mentioned. Agree he did tire quick, at one time he was known as the fastest heavyweight in the world - for 3 rounds!

 

From boxrec

1983-05-20 : Michael Dokes 223 lbs drew with Mike Weaver 218½ lbs by PTS in round 15 of 15 Location: Dunes Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Referee: Richard Steele
Judge: Harold Lederman 143-143
Judge: Larry Hazzard 144-144
Judge: Jerry Roth 145-141
World Boxing Association Heavyweight Title (Dokes defending)

Weights: Weaver 218.5 lbs, Dokes 223 lbs

Unofficial AP scorecard - 143-142 Weaver
Unofficial UPI scorecard - 144-142 Weaver
Unofficial L.A. Times scorecard - 143-142 Weaver



"Michael Dokes, who won the WBA heavyweight title with a controversial victory over Mike Weaver last December, retained it in a rematch Friday night, gaining a controversial 15 round draw with the ex-champion. Most ringside observers had Weaver ahead by 2 or 3 points and the decision of the judges drew a chorus of boos from the 20,000 fans in the outdoor arena at the Dunes Hotel. Dokes and Weaver rushed from their corners after the opening bell and began a furious exchange of punches. Each fighter landed more than 20 blows in the first minute, with Dokes getting the better of the exchanges and winning the round. Weaver apparently won the next three rounds, pounding the champion with hard rights to the head. In the middle rounds, Dokes appeared exhausted and began clinching several times each round as Weaver scored with short lefts and stinging uppercuts. The champion won the 11th and 12th rounds, scoring repeatedly with solid left jabs as he appeared to gain a second win and danced and moved around the ring. Weaver apparently won the final two rounds, scoring with dozens of punches as an exhausted Dokes hung on and clinched repeatedly." -United Press International

 

Dokes and weaver both went downhill after this fight.
dokes especially, the cocaine addiction really screwed him up for a few years.
he got clean and active around 1987 and worked his wasy back into contention. he really excelled in the holyfield fight but that was a crushing defeat and the ruddock fight in 1990 was the final nail in the coffin.

 

Neither of them regained near this form again did they. Dokes was superb against Holyfield but in the bottom half looked like old man river at this point. Weaver was **** after this fight, he ko'd the glass jawed Williams but he was already in trouble himself.

 

i think dokes looked pretty good against holyfield. maybe not prime form but he never did have much mobility.

 

Weaver's decline resulted mainly from his age and deteriorating chin. He would still remain a ferocious and dangerous puncher for years to come (as he showed against Williams), but it seemed his chin let him down in almost every notable fight he had thereafter.

 

He got featherfisted award then ko'd Lynn Ball in a round & gave it to KO writers ringside.

Yes. I think with Spoon though Larry couldn't get up for it and Tim's cross arm nullified his jab and rights like Norton-Ali.

 

For sure, his chin went to **** really. Mustafa Hamsho is a great example too. His chin was rated best in boxing at one stage, above the likes of Hagler, Cobb, Holmes etc yet it suddenly went on him and by the end he was getting stopped by the feather fisted Graciano Rocchigiani. Hagler whipped him in the rematch with punches he'd previously taken easily. Too much punishment for too long i think.

 

JT, how much faster do you think Dokes was then Page?