The ESB British Forum Encyclopedia

**** me, you're prolific at the mo' Mo...making me look a right procrastinating ****

 

Lots of free time this week :conf

We all know Lennox will be done soon :yep

Foster finished, some quality gifs in there :!:

 

I have plenty of Lennox fights on my YouTube channel if you are scrabbling around for footage. :good

http://www.youtube.com/user/biglads4tw

 

Michael "Double M" Moorer
WBO Light-heavyweight champion 1988-1991
WBO Heavyweight champion 1992-1993
WBA/IBF/Lineal Heavyweight champion 1994
IBF Heavyweight champion 1996-1997​

Record: 52(40)-4(3)-1
Born: 11/12/1967 Brooklyn, New York
Height: 6'2
Reach: 78"
Stance: Southpaw

Part 1/2

Michael Moorer is one of an elite group to have won light-heavyweight & heavyweight titles, he was also the 1st southpaw heavyweight champion. A moody & tempramental character he wasnt the easiest guy to train but Michael was an accurate & hard-hitting boxer-puncher, a right-handed southpaw with an unorthodox style.

Michael Lee Moorer was born in New York but grew up, as the 2nd of 6 kids in the gritty Pennslyvanian mill town Monessen. His father left home at an early age & he first stepped into a gym aged 10, encouraged by his grandfather Henry Smith who was a former golden gloves champ & an ex-pro. Coached by his grandfather Moorer won the 1986 national golden gloves as an 18 year old light-middleweight. He then relocated to Detroit & the legendary Kronk gym where he was trained by Emmanuel Steward.
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tpRCrVZCSE[/ame]

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAmjpRfydoY&feature=relmfu[/ame]

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SnwbhUBniE&feature=relmfu[/ame]

Moorer turned pro in 1988 with an amatuer record of 48-16. He began well, stopping his overmatched opponent in the 1st round.
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53rHB4B2pQs[/ame]

He racked up 11 wins, all by stoppage & in only his 12th pro fight he fought for the newly-formed WBO light-heavyweight title against former title challenger Ramzi Hassan (25-4) & stopped him in 5 rounds to become champion at the tender age of 21. After a 2round tko in his 1st defence Moorer faced a tougher challenge in his next fight, the durable Frankie Swindell (15-2), at 5'10 Swindell was very solidly built with virtually no neck at all. He had beaten Holyfield as an amatuer, lost in the finals of the 1988 olympic trials & would go on to be a very tough heavyweight journeyman. For the 1st time in his career Moorer faced an opponent who he couldnt blast away, though he tried to do so for the 1st 3 rounds. By the 4th Moorer was tiring & Swindell marching relentlessly forward rocked the young champion & kept up the pressure in the 5th. By the 6th round Moorer was cut & under pressure but he hurt Swindell & then pounced, teeing off with hard combinations. Swindell was left helpless on the ropes when the ref pulled Moorer away for a British-style stoppage in the 6th.
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loUhp-NvLgg[/ame]

For his next defense Moorer faced the tough-looking & unbeaten Puerto Rican Freddie Delgado (16-0-1). Michael absolutely wrecks him in the 1st round with an impressive display of power.
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIZFoI9b5Cw&feature=related[/ame]

Moorer 4th defense was against his best opponent yet, the former WBA champ Leslie Stewart (27-4). Stewart was a crafty old pro, circling to his right & using good head movement he provided an elusive target Moorer was struggled to land on. Michael was down on the scorecards when in the 8th he finally caught Stewart with some solid blows & knocked him down twice to win via TKO. Later on in 1989 Moorer was arrested after being involved in a brawl, it would be the 1st of several encounters with the police.
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpkLeZ8Kj14[/ame]

Continuing his unbeaten run Moorer made 3 more title defenses, all inside the distance before in 1990, he faced the Argentinian champion Mario Oscar Melo (18-4) & knocked him out in the 1st round.
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DwAS27BE58[/ame]

Moorer defended his light-heavyweight title for the 9th & final time in 1990, by this point he was starving himself to make the 175lb limit. He moved up to heavyweight in 1991 & stopped his 1st two opponents. His 1st test at heavyweight was against the #5 ranked Alex Stewart who had an impressive record of 27(27)-2 & had only lost against Tyson & Holyfield. Despite being 15lbs lighter Moorer started well, knocking Stewart down twice in the 1st round. Steward bravely battled back, rocking Moorer in the 2nd & using his superior size to maul & outmuscle his smaller foe. However in the 4th Moorer landed a series of combinations, highlighted by 2 devastating uppercuts to drop the brave but bloodied Stewart for the 3rd & final time.
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ob0WDS35etM[/ame]

After this win Moorer found himself in more serious trouble outside the ring, after a heated basketball game an enraged Moorer broke into his grandfather's house. When the police arrived Moorer broke one of the officer's jaw & was lucky to escape with 2 years probation & an out-of-court settlement. He looked soft & unmotivated in his next few fights but rising up the heavyweight rankings Moorer was taken the distance for the 1st time in his 27th fight against Mike "The Giant" Smith. At 6'10 & 275lbs Smith towered over Michael but Moorer dropped him heavily in the 1st round & then again in the final seconds of the 10th, where the giant was saved by the bell.

This content is protected

GIFSoup

In his next fight Moorer went the 10 round distance again, this time with the tough journeyman Everett "Big Foot" Martin. Worryingly Moorer walked onto a straight right hand & was knocked down for the 1st time in his pro career. He rose back up & won by a wide UD but for the 1st time he looked vunerable against hard-hitting heavies.

Michael was now the #1 challenger for the WBO champion Ray Mercer, but Mercer vacated in pursuit of the unified champion Holyfield. In 1992 Moorer was fit & focused again when he faced the exciting Smokin Bert Cooper for the vacant title & they produced a classic heavyweight slugfest. Moorer was stunned & dropped by a combination within the 1st minute, he slumped heavily against the ropes but was up & firing back soon after.

He dropped Cooper with a stunning left-right which sent Bert's mouthpiece flying, he swarmed all over Cooper but was unable to finish him. By the end of the 1st round Cooper was fighting back & finished strongly, he sat on Moorer's chest for the next few rounds & in the 3rd he knocked Moorer down again with another combination but Michael held on. In the 5th Moorer stunned Cooper with a short right hook before knocking Bert down & out with a sweet uppercut-straight combo to become the new WBO heavyweight champion.

This content is protected

GIFSoup
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAZfLO2cJC4[/ame]

 

Part 2/2

After becoming WBO heavyweight champ Moorer split with long-time trainer Emmanuel Steward & had Tony Ayala in his corner when he stopped the 257lb Billy Wright (12-1) in 2 rounds. Soon after he vacated his WBO title (which he didnt defend).
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hith8DcNNmk[/ame]

Moorer then moved to Main Events where he was managed by Lou Duva & trained by George Benton. In 1993 he beat the former champion James "Bonecrusher" Smith by a wide decision. He then rematched Swindell who he stopped on cuts in the 3rd round.
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKnOT46vAqU[/ame]

After another win Moorer left Main Events in the summer, claiming Benton's coaching style was overly defensive & hooked up with Teddy Atlas. In 1994 Moorer got his shot at the unified (WBA & IBF), lineal champion Evander Holyfield (30-1) who had won back his titles in a rematch with Riddick Bowe.

Holy started well & knocked Moorer down in the 2nd but injured his left shoulder landing the knockdown blow. Unable to use his left hand effectively Holy struggled against his younger opponent who was able to edge a competitive fight & win via a majority decision. It would later emerge that Holyfield had been suffering from a heart condition & he was forced into retirement.
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmlfek3ux7M[/ame]

For his 1st defense Moorer chose what was widely considered a soft option, the 45 year old George Foreman hadnt fought for 14 months since losing a wide UD against Tommy Morrison for the WBO belt Moorer had vacated. Moorer used his superior speed to build a big lead on the scorecards, he repeatedly rocked Foreman's head with sharp punches but he couldnt put Foreman away. In the 10th round as Moorer slowed down he was hit with some solid shots before Foreman threw a short right which split Moorer's guard & landed on the point of his chin. The punch laid Moorer out flat on his back, unable to beat the count & Foreman became the oldest ever world champion.
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiIWGsCdw1g[/ame]

After losing his titles in such a devastating fashion Moorer briefly retired from the sport & considered a career in law-enforcement. He only fought once in 1995, a points win over regional champ Melvin Foster (19-1) as he desperately tried to get a rematch with Foreman. Big George had won a close & contoversial SD over german challenger Axel Shultz & then refused the mandated rematch in Germany, he was stripped of his IBF belt. Shultz then fought Frans Botha for the vacant belt but lost by SD, however Botha failed a post fight drug test & was stripped of the IBF title.

In 1996 Moorer travelled to Germany to take on Shultz (22-2-1) to fight for the vacant IBF title. In a close, competitive fight Moorer landed the better punches throughout & deserved the decision he was awarded to become heavyweight champion for the 3rd time.
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDN9gt0WeYM[/ame]

Later on in 1996 Moorer defended his title against the unbeaten "White Buffalo" Frans Botha (35-0). The rugged South African was back after being suspended for failing a drug-test & Moorer smashed him around the ring for 11 exciting rounds before the ref Mills Lane finally stopped the fight in the 12th.
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHihVdukJJE[/ame]

In 1997 Moorer defended his title again, beating Vince Bean (27-0) on points but after the fight he split with his trainer Teddy Atlas & started working with Freddie Roach. His next fight was a rematch with the WBA champion Holyfield & Moorer started well, he was slightly ahead but a right-hand from Holyfield knocked him down in the 5th & changed the course of the fight. Holyfield moved up through the gears & knocked Moorer down twice in the 7th & then twice in the 8th, each time Michael rose up but the fight was stopped by the doctor with Moorer on his stool at the end of the 8th.
[yt]d-o55tyPtt0[/yt]

Moorer retired again & it would be 3 years before he returned to the ring. He drank a lot & piled on the pounds, he was also in trouble with the law. In 1999 he was involved in several ugly, drink-related incidents & was arrested for drink driving & evading arrest. Moorer was also briefly comitted to a mental-health institute after threatening to shoot himself during a drunken arguement with his girlfriend.

In 2000 weighing nearly 250lbs Moorer began his comeback & beat a series of low-level fights before facing David Tua (40-3) in 2002. Tua had only lost to Ibeabuchi, Byrd & Lewis, he was a ferocious puncher with a fearsome left-hook & wasnt a wise choice of opponent for the 34 year old Moorer. Tua marched straight through Moorer's punches & knocked him down & through the ropes, the fight lasted about 30 seconds.
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVqZFo1G94g[/ame]

Moorer still wasnt finished & carried on, winning 3 fights on the spin but in 2004 the 251lb Moorer lost a decision to Cuban cruiserweight Eliso Castillo (17-1) & that looked to be the end of Moorer. For his next fight he faced the 1996 olympic gold medalist & val baker trophy winner Vassily "The Tiger" Jirov (33-2) for the vacant NABF heavyweight title. The US-based Kazakh & former IBF cruiserweight champ had lost his previous fight in a 12round war with James Toney & at 30 was 6 years younger than Moorer. Jirov had never been stopped & was miles ahead on the card when in the 9th Moorer landed a 1-2 & dropped him hard. Jirov tried to bounce up but was unable to continue on his unsteady legs the fight was stopped.
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvMlWy-BBUQ[/ame]

Moorer fought on until 2008, beating 5 more low-level opponents & he retired after a 1st round KO with a professional record of 52(40)-4(3)-0. He worked at the Wild Card gym as assistant to Freddie Roach but was fired in 2009. Moorer is currently involved with security & bodyguard work, he's always loved his guns & has a wide collection at home.

Michael Moorer is one of a small group of fighters to win both light-heavy & heavyweight titles. Moorer was the first universally-recognized southpaw world heavyweight champion. He scored knockouts in each of his first 26 bouts, placing him in the exclusive list of boxers who have won at least 20 fights in a row by knockout, alongside such other fighters as George Foreman, Wilfredo Gómez & Aaron Pryor. He is most famous for being sparked by Foreman but Moorer was a genuine bad-ass, my favourite quote of his is "I create violence" :bbb
[yt]e5Unz7Mlf6s[/yt]

 

Looks like you're a shoo-in for 'POTY' this year Mo :good I assume you won 'noob of the year'?

 

Unofficially yes, I was NOTY 2011

No way I'll win POTY though, there are many others here who are far better posters than myself.

Your thoughts on Moorer? I always liked him, even though he was a crazy ******* :nut

 

Top work as always Moesef. Smooth reading.

Love Moorer's fight with Cooper. I've never really liked Michael too much as a fighter but he was fairly entertaining and aesthetically good to watch.

 

The Lost Generation
Heavyweights 1982-1989​

The period in between the dominant championship reigns of Holmes & Tyson saw several, highly talented fighters win a world title but none of them ever achieved their full potential. These 6 fighters; Dokes, Witherspoon, Thomas, Page, Tubbs & Tucker were all born within a year of each other & would between them win all 3 major belts. The 1980's was a time of excess & this motley crew of talented fighters partied harder than any other generation.

Teddy Atlas “The problem with those guys is they had no personal discipline, no work ethic. It wasn’t about a lack of talent. They lacked consistency, dedication, commitment, the right mentality."

Manny Steward "“It was an era of guys who had some of the worst work ethic ever in boxing. It’s an era where I can’t really remember who beat who. They can blame Don King but he kept getting them all titles shots and rematches. He didn’t stop them from training. They stopped themselves.”

In the 1980's Don King held a powerful grip on the heavyweight division & there were shady deals, dodgy scorecards & legal disputes galore. There has never been a time in boxing when so many talented guys won titles & then self-destructed in an endless orgy of drugs, drink & women.


1/6

Michael "Dynamite" Dokes
WBA Heavyweight champion 1982-1983​

Record: 53(34)-6(5)-2
Born: Akron, Ohio 10/8/1958
Height: 6'3
Reach: 78"
Favourite past time: Massive cocaine binges

Michael "Dynamite" Dokes was an exciting fighter, he could box, he could move & he had some of the fastest hands the division has ever seen. He also had a decent chin, a big heart & a fierce fighting spirit, all the ingredients to make an excellent champion.

Michael began boxing at the age of 11 & was a prodigious talent. After lying about his age he reached the national Golden Gloves final at only 15. At 17 he lost to Cuban great Teofilo Stevenson 3-2 in the finals of the the Pan-American games. Dokes beat future world champs John Tate & Greg Page on his way to winning the national Golden Gloves in 1976 & he turned pro soon after.

With Don King in his corner Dokes had a good start to his pro career, picking up wins over Jimmy Young, Ossie Ocasio & Jon Lewis Gardner.
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1a2M6SIiz8[/ame]

He rose rapidly up the rankings & in 1982 he faced Mike "Hercules" Weaver for the WBA title. Dokes was razor-sharp & jumped all over Weaver, dropping him heavily then trapping him on the ropes for several unanswered flurries. The bout was controversially stopped in the 1st round & Dokes became the new champ.
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLUGIpxSpS0[/ame]

An immediate rematch followed & Dokes turned up heavier & looking much softer than their 1st bout, there were rumours about his lack of training & over-indulging. The rematch took place under the hot sun in Vegas & it was an unrelenting 15 round war in which momentum ebbed & flowed after a strong start by Dokes. Many observers felt Weaver had done enough to win but the judges ruled the fight a draw & Dokes retained his title.
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttAItuEfOtg&feature=related[/ame]

In his next defense Dokes fought the power-punching Gerrie Coetzee whilst under the influence of cocaine & was brutally knocked out in the 10th. Don King walked over the semi-conscious Dokes (who was laid out on the canvas) to congratulate the new champion & Michael was never the same fighter again. His life quickly spiralled out of control as his cocaine addiction overwhelmed him.
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiFWbsu23pg[/ame]


2/6

Terrible Tim Witherspoon
WBC heavyweight champion 1984​

Record: 55(38 )-13(4)-1
Born: Philadephia 27/12/1957
Height: 6'3
Reach: 78"
Favourite past time: Being a lazy stoner

Terrible Tim Witherspoon was big & tough, an athletic switch-hitting boxer-puncher with power in both hands & an effective cross-armed defence. Of all the lost generation he ****ed up the least & probably achieved the most.

'Spoon played a lot of high-school football & didnt start boxing until he was 19. After only 9 amatuer fights he turned pro & quickly found employment as a sparring partner for Muhammed Ali. After a series of good performance he was signed up by Don King a steered towards a title.

In 1982 he beat the perennial contender Renaldo Snipes to earn a 1983 shot at the unbeaten heavyweight king, Larry Holmes. 'Spoon shocked the boxing world by the level of his performance, pushing Holmes to the brink in a thrilling fight which the champion was awarded by a razor-close split decision.

Despite the loss, the young Witherspoon's stock had risen & after a couple more wins he earned a second shot at the title. Holmes had vacated the WBC belt rather than face challenger Greg Page & so 'Spoon stepped in & in 1984 he prevailed in a very hard fought war of attrition to become the new WBC world champ. The critics predicted a bright future for Tim but it wasnt to be.
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDptKxH02kA[/ame]

Terrible Tim wouldnt have the title for long. In his next fight he face the unbeaten Pinklon Thomas & 'Spoon started strongly but was breathing hard by the 3rd round. The tough Thomas seemed immune to Spoons power & he controlled the fight with his powerful jab. After 12 entertaining rounds Thomas won on points to become the new WBC champ.
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kw82owInuD0[/ame]




3/6

Pinklon "Pink" Thomas​

WBC heavyweight champion 1984-1986​

Record: 43(34)-7(5)-1
Born: Pontiac, Michigan 10/2/1958
Height: 6'3
Reach: 77"
Favourite past time: Shooting up heroin

Pink was a tough guy with a great chin & one of the best jabs in the divisions history. A left-handed orthodox boxer who was trained by the legendary Angelo Dundee he had a lot of potential but sadly never made the most of his considerable talents.

Pinklon grew up on the mean streets of Pontiac & his childhood was a nightmarish start in the world. He 1st tried heroin at 12 & was a full-blown addict at 14. By 16 he had been a pimp & done armed robberies but after stepping into a gym he began to turn his life around.
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PQvQYdu78k[/ame]

He turned pro after only 3 amatuer fights & steadily built up a solid record, including a draw with Coetzee & a win over James Tillis. After beating Witherspoon he defended his title against Mike "Hercules" Weaver. In their entertaining 1985 fight Thomas looked excellent as he dropped Weaver in the 1st round & then knocked him out with a beautiful right hand in the 8th.
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRVsQrMKSSU[/ame]

Pinklon lost the title in his next fight against Berbick in 1986 as drink & drugs began to take over his life once again. He would never become world champion again. He fought again for a world title, in 1987 against Tyson but was stopped in 6 rounds & suffered the only knockdown of his career. In his next fight against Holyfield he was retired by his corner & developed a full-time crack habit. These days he's a councillor & born-again Christian.

 

4/6 Greg Page
WBA Heavyweight champion 1984-1985​

Record: 58 (48 )-17(6)-1
Born: Louisville, Kentucky 25/10/1958
Died: Louisville, Kentucky 27/4/2009
Height: 6'2
Reach: 81"
Favourite past time: Everything but training

Of all the Lost Generation Page was perhaps the most talented & certainly the most tragic. Coming from the same town as Ali the comparison's were inevitable. Greg Page had a loose-limbed & elusive style, he could float around the ring & he had quick hands & decent power. Sadly the "New Ali" imploded like so many of his peers & he ended up suffering terrible injuries before his death at the age of 50.

Page was a successful amatuer & after winning several national tournaments he turned pro in 1979. He started his pro career with an impressive string of victories which left the boxing scribes drooling at what he might achieve. Here he is knocking out the experienced Alfredo Evangelista in 2 rounds.
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcX5eH4QD-0[/ame]

After beating Jimmy Young in 1982 Page lost for the 1st time against Berbick, after breaking his right thumb in the 2nd Page lost a decision over 10 rounds. Greg's weight fluctuated as he partied more than he trained but he managed to beat Tillis & Snipes & earn a #1 rating with the WBC. The champion Larry Holmes turned down an offer to fight Page & so Greg fought Tim Witherspoon for the vacant belt. After disagreeing with Don King over money Page went on strike in the gym & refused to train. Weighing at almost 240lbs Page lost on points & fired his long-time trainer after the fight.

In his next fight Page turned up in better shape but lost to the unbeaten & #6 ranked David Bay on points. Bay refused to travel to South Africa to face the WBA champion Gerrie Coetzee but Page jumped at the opportunity. Coetzee was heavily favoured to win but Page finally put in a career-best performance & he fought magnificently. In a great fight Page shook off heavy bombs from the hard-hitting Coetzee & was able to outbox & outpunch the champion. After a sensational 7th round Page knocked Coetzee clean out with a left hook to become the new WBA champ.
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8aLNED8a_I[/ame]

Having finally won a world title Page followed the same road as his peers as promptly lost it in his next fight. In 1985 he faced the unbeaten Tony Tubbs & although the fight had few fireworks it was a technical boxing match of fencing jabs & counters. Tubbs was the underdog & 10lbs lighter than the soft looking Page, his extra mobility & conditioning helped him ease away in the final 6 rounds to win a UD over 15 & become the new WBA champ.
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeUyUxDigD0[/ame]

After this loss Page began a dizzy downward spiral & he never fought for a title again. He was a long-term sparring partner for Tyson & he fought on for years. In his final bout in 2001 he was brutally knocked out & suffered a serious brain-injury which brought on numerous other medical problems. He never fully recovered & died aged 50 in 2009.

5/6 Tony "TNT" Tubbs
WBA heavyweight champion 1985-1986​

Record: 47 (35)- 10 (5)
Born: Cincinnati, Ohio 15/2/1958
Height: 6'3
Reach: 79"
Favourite past time: Eating junk food & snorting coke

Tony "TNT" Tubbs was a smart, talented boxer with quick hands & an elusive slick style. Tubbs was an accomplished amatuer who had over 250 fights & won national & world cup competitions. He would have gone to the 1980 olympics but the US boycotted the games, Tubbs had a lucky escape when he missed a flight in 1980 which contained several of his amateur team-mates & coaches, the plane crashed & killed 87 people.

Tony turned pro in 1980 & had a promosing start to his career. In 1983 he outpointed Jimmy Young & was signed up by Don King. Rising up the rankings he beat Bonecrusher Smith to earn his successful title shot at Greg Page. The predictable followed, Tubbs went out partying & turned up 20lbs overweight for his 1st defense against a fleshy looking Tim Witherspoon. In a poor fight 'Spoon was awarded a close decision but tested positive for weed in his post-fight drug test, a rematch was ordered but Tubbs withdrew injured & went off the rails.

Tubbs took on Tyson for all the belts in 1988 but was knocked out in 2, he never fought for the title again. Tubbs has been a sparring partner for many top fighters & had his final fight in 2006. He has been to jail several times for drug related offences & non-payment of child support for his 16 kids.

Terrible Tim Witherspoon
WBA heavyweight champion 1986​

After losing his WBC belt to Thomas Tim had put in some good performances, stopping US champ James Broad in 2 rounds & then dominating Boncrusher Smith for 12 rounds. After beating Tubbs 'Spoon became only the 3rd man in history to win 2 world titles & for his 1st defence he travelled to England to take on the hugely popular Frank Bruno in Wembley stadium.

In an entertaining fight Bruno started well but the durable Witherspoon came on strong & stopped the brave Bruno in the 11th round of a scheduled 15 round fight. Bruno earned £1m for his efforts, Witherspoon was due the same but was only paid $90k by his promoter Don King.
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYMAbgw9KnY[/ame]

Furious about the financial situation 'Spoon was poorly prepared for his next fight, a rematch with Boncrusher Smith with the winner lined up for a hugely lucrative fight against the youngest champ in history, Mike Tyson. Though a heavy favourite 'Spoon wasnt fully focused but the dangerous Bonecrusher was fired up. Their 1986 fight was a crazy, action packed 1 round brawl. 'Spoon had never been knocked down before but he was floored 3 times & lost the title in a wild fight.
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rN8jL3ylPU[/ame]

Post fight 'Spoon failed another drug test & sued Don King for his lost purse against Bruno. King settled out of court for $1m but Witherspoon was never given another title shot. For the remainder of the 80's he was reduced to fighting infrequently & at a low level.

6/6 Tony "TNT" Tucker
IBF heavyweight world champion 1987​

Record: 57(47)-7(3)-0
Born: Grand Rapids, Michigan 27/12/1958
Height: 6'5
Reach: 81"
Favourite past time: Smoking crack

Tony "TNT" Tucker was a big, powerful man with a great chin & a decent skill set. He was another talented guy with great potential whose career was ruined by drugs.

Tucker was a successful amatuer, in 1979 he won the light-heavyweight national, world-cup & Pan-Am games. He turned pro in 1980 but made slow progress, he was frequently injured & regularly changed trainers & managers. Eventually he hooked up with Emmanuel Steward & after beating a Eddie "The Animal" Lopez, Jimmy Young & the rated James Broad he got his title shot.

In 1987 he fought Buster Douglas for the vacant IBF title & it was a close, competitive bout between 2 big, skilled operators. As Douglas tired Tucker hurt him with several big shots & won via TKO in the 10th.
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eq7L8ZKEwM[/ame]

Next up for Tucker was the unbeaten Mike Tyson & even though Tucker had injured his right hand in sparring Tucker rocked Tyson with a big uppercut early on & managed to survive for 12 rounds. After losing Tucker dissappeared from the ring for almost 2years as he battled with drug addiction. Tucker held the title for a little over 2 months, the shortest reign in history.

Michael "Dynamite" Dokes ​

After losing his title in devastating fashion in 1983 Dokes had drifted away from the sport & after 1985 he was away from the ring for 2 1/2 years. His cocaine abuse was at almost unbelievable levels, he admitted to buying kilos at a time & had several brushes with the law. In 1987 he was out of rehab, clean & sober & ready to have one more shot. After winning 7 fights in 1988 he was awarded the Ring magazine comeback of the year.

In 1989 Dokes took on the unbeaten former cruiserweight king Evander Holyfield & the fight turned into an epic war. It is widely considered the finest heavyweight fight of the 1980's & is a must-watch if you havent seen it before. Holyfield finally prevailed in the 10th round of an awesome fight.
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwLY1Vui_aU[/ame]

Dokes fought on but was demolished in 4 by Razor Ruddock & in his final title fight in 1993 Bowe ruined him in the 1st round. In 1999 Dokes was sent to prison for a very nasty assault on his girlfriend & he was released on parole in 2008, he is currently battling liver cancer.

 

As you know, I've stuck up for the coke generation many times before. Lovely stuff :good

 

Cheers mate, they were a bunch of talented guys who had some of my favourite HW fights

Much more fun than todays generation imo

Thought it would tie in nicely with the Holmes & Tyson posts, the mid-1980s were a crazy time

 

Brilliant stuff, as per usual Mo :good

You don't know how big a fan I am of that era. Full of really interesting fighters. Really glad you included Page and Dokes, they're 2 Heavyweights whom I am a big fan of. Even though Dokes got a little fat and coked up and Page went off the boil quickly, at their best they're still great to watch :yep

I even love the lesser guys from around that era, the Holmes victims and part time title holders like Tate, Coetzee, Snipes and even some of the Cruisers.

Top drawer stuff mate (The Scouseleader here, BTW, but don't tell anyone :yep)

 

Weaver :yep :deal Dangerous guy.

 

Did I not mention Weaver? atsch

Watched him vs Lennox the other day. Of course he was shot but still an 'aaard *******.

That run of wins over Tillis, Tate and Coetzee is just brilliant IMO. Specially after losing to Holmes so soon before.