Tony Tubbs vs. Tim Witherspoon

Tony Tubbs vs. Tim Witherspoon, billed as King's Dream was a professional boxing match contested on July 19, 1986, for the WBA heavyweight title.[1]

King's Dream
DateJanuary 17, 1986
VenueOmni Coliseum, Atlanta, Georgia
Title(s) on the lineWBA heavyweight title
Tale of the tape
Boxer Tony Tubbs Tim Witherspoon
Nickname TNT Terrible
Hometown Cincinnati, Ohio Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Purse $125,000 $50,000
Pre-fight record 21–0 (14 KO) 23–2 (16 KO)
Age 27 years, 11 months 28 years
Height 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) 6 ft 3+12 in (192 cm)
Weight 244 lb (111 kg) 227 lb (103 kg)
Style Orthodox Orthodox
Recognition WBA
Heavyweight Champion
The Ring
No. 4 Ranked Heavyweight
WBA
No. 1 Ranked Heavyweight
The Ring
No. 3 Ranked Heavyweight
Result
Witherspoon wins via MD (144–143, 144–141, 143–143)

Background

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Undefeated Tony Tubbs had captured the WBA heavyweight title in his previous fight, defeating reigning champion Greg Page in what was Page's first defense on April 29, 1985.[2] For his first defense, Tubbs was now obligated to face the WBA's #1 ranked heavyweight Tim Witherspoon, who had become the mandatory challenger after defeating James "Bonecrusher" Smith on June 15 that same year.[3] The fight was delayed for several months as the bout's promoter Don King faced legal charges for tax evasion and conspiracy, causing him to temporarily reduce the number of fights he promoted.[4] When King was acquitted of all charges in November, the fight was officially announced the following month to take place on January 17, 1986. King also announced that the bout would celebrate the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr., which was January 15; two days before the fight and take place in King's native Atlanta at the Omni Coliseum.[5]

Though it was not officially a part of it, the Tubbs–Witherspoon fight was a precursor to the heavyweight unification series, which aimed to crown a new undisputed champion, that King had announced plans for only 10 days prior.[6] The unification series was officially announced at press conference held on the day of the fight, with the winner of the Tubbs–Witherspoon fight automatically joining the series.[7]

The fight

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Witherspoon was the aggressor of the fight, pressing the action while Tubbs, weighing 244 pounds, 15 pounds heavier then he was when he won the title in his previous fight, fought at a much reserved pace. Though there were no knockdowns in the fight's 15 rounds, Witherspoon had little trouble landing punches as Tubbs took a more defensive approach, backing up and not forcing anything offensively. Despite Witherspoon's relative dominance, the three scorecards were extremely close. One judge scored the bout a draw at 143–143 (each fighter winning seven rounds apiece with one round even) while the other two scored the fight narrowly in favor of Witherspoon with scores of 144–143 (seven rounds to six with two even) and 144–141 (nine rounds to six).[citation needed]

Aftermath

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Said Witherspoon about Tubbs after the fight "He didn't do nothing. He didn't really fight like a champion. I had to chase him down." Tubbs himself offered no excuses stating "There ain't no excuses in the game of boxing. Either you win or you lose. And I take my losses like I take my wins."[8]

Shortly after his victory, Witherspoon ran into trouble after a post-fight drug test revealed traces of marijuana in his system.[9] Facing a possible suspension and being stripped of his title, Witherspoon admitted to smoking a single joint in November while celebrating with friends after signing the contract for the title shot against Tubbs and stated "I would never know it would trace up so many months later." Witherspoon, his promoter Don King and manager Carl King were first summoned to go before the Georgia Boxing Commission to explain the positive test after which Witherspoon was issued a one-year probation and a $500 fine.[10][11] Witherspoon would then face a disciplinary hearing with the WBA in March. Though Tubbs and his team insisted Witherspoon be stripped of the title, WBA president Gilberto Mendoza opted to keep Witherspoon as champion and instead to issued him a $25,000 fine and ordered a Witherspoon–Tubbs rematch.

Fight card

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Confirmed bouts:[12]

Weight Class Weight vs. Method Round Notes
Heavyweight 200+ lbs. Tim Witherspoon def Tony Tubbs (c) MD 15/15 Note 1
Heavyweight 200+ lbs. James Douglas def. Greg Page UD 10/10
Heavyweight 200+ lbs. Eddie Gregg def. Walter Santemore UD 10/10
Heavyweight 200+ lbs. Trevor Berbick def. Mike Perkins TKO 10/10
Heavyweight 200+ lbs. Mitch Green def. Percell Davis UD 10/10
Heavyweight 200+ lbs. David Bey def. Wesley Smith SD 10/10
Heavyweight 200+ lbs. James Pritchard def. Jack Jackson UD 4/4

^Note 1 For WBA heavyweight title

Broadcasting

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Country Broadcaster
  United Kingdom ITV
  United States HBO

References

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  1. ^ "Tim Witherspoon vs. Tony Tubbs". boxrec.com. BoxRec. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
  2. ^ Page Loses Title to Tubbs, NY Times article, 1985-04-30 Retrieved on 2024-08-03
  3. ^ Thomas is Clearing the Air, NY Times article, 1985-06-17 Retrieved on 2024-08-03
  4. ^ Don King said Tuesday he is 'more humble' and..., UPI article, 1986-11-26 Retrieved on 2024-08-03
  5. ^ Tubbs-Witherspoon Fight Jan. 17 at Atlanta, LA Times article, 1985-12-05 Retrieved on 2024-08-03
  6. ^ Heavyweight Unification Series Planned, NY Times article, 1986-01-07 Retrieved on 2024-08-03
  7. ^ Lacy J. Banks (January 18, 1986). "Tubbs finally beaten in first title defense". Chicago Sun-Times – via NewsBank.
  8. ^ Witherspoon Captures Crown, NY Times article, 1986-01-18 Retrieved on 2024-08-03
  9. ^ Marijuana Found in Boxer's System, NY Times article, 1986-02-06 Retrieved on 2024-07-31
  10. ^ Tim Witherspoon admitted Wednesday to smoking marijuana before his..., UPI article, 1986-02-06 Retrieved on 2024-07-31
  11. ^ Witherspoon Probation, NY Times article, 1986-02-18 Retrieved on 2024-07-31
  12. ^ "BoxRec - event".
Preceded by Tony Tubbs's bouts
17 January 1986
Succeeded by
vs. Mike Jameson
Preceded by
vs. Sammy Scaff
Tim Witherspoon's bouts
17 January 1986
Succeeded by