Tony Tubbs (born February 15, 1958) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1980 to 2006, and held the WBA heavyweight *le from 1985 to 1986.

Amateur career

As an amateur, Tony Tubbs competed in 253 bouts, compiling a record of 240 wins and 13 losses—primarily in the heavyweight division. In a 1976 match between the USSR and the United States, Tubbs lost by knockout in the second round to future Soviet Heavyweight Champion Igor Vysotsky.

In 1978 Tubbs lost in the quarterfinals of the world Cup to Cuban boxer Teofilo Stevenson. Tubbs was the only opponent who managed to go the distance with Stevenson. In 1979, Tubbs became the National AAU Heavyweight Champion by defeating Mitch Green and Greg Page, both contests were rematches of previous defeats. In the match-up meetings USSR versus the United States Tubbs defeated the two-time amateur European champion Yevgeni Gorstkov and the future silver medalist of the Olympic games Pyotr Zayev. In 1979 Tubbs won the AIBA Boxing World Cup, defeating K*n Indzhyan, and finally avenged his loss to Marvis Frazier, who prior to that upset went unbeaten with a 42–0 (21 KOs) record.

By 1980 the conclusion of Tubbs' amateur career was the Olympic Games, but Tubbs was unable compete due to the US boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games. Among his other notable Amateur victories were defeating James Broad and Jimmy Clark, and 1980 Olympic bronze medalist Stephen Left. As an amateur, Tubbs worked as a sparring partner to Muhammad Ali, helping the former to prepare for his rematch with Leon Spinks for the World Heavyweight Championship.

Highlights

Tubbs finished his career having 253 fights, with a record of 240 wins, 13 losses.

Professional career

Early years

Tubbs made his professional debut on June 14, 1980, with a first-round knockout of Bruce Scott. After 11 fights, he fought fellow undefeated prospect Clarence Hill on August 7, 1982 and won by a ten-round unanimous decision. After out-pointing Jimmy Young (who had defeated George Foreman) on April 10, 1983, he was signed by Don King and began rising up the rankings while appearing on several King undercards. On March 15, 1985, he faced future WBA Heavyweight Champ James "Bonecrusher" Smith in a WBA *le eliminator. Tubbs won by a unanimous decision, taking his record to 20-0 (15 knockouts).

World heavyweight title fights

Main article: Mike Tyson vs. Tony Tubbs

On April 29, 1985, Tubbs challenged Greg Page for the WBA Heavyweight Championship. Page and Tubbs fought seven times as amateurs, with Page winning six of them, but for their only meeting as professionals, Tubbs won by a fifteen-round unanimous decision. On January 17, 1986, Tubbs made his first *le defense against former WBC Heavyweight Champion Tim Witherspoon. Tubbs weighed-in at 244 pounds (111:kg), 15 more than he weighed for the Page fight, and lost the *le by a fifteen-round majority decision.

Tubbs and Witherspoon had a rematch scheduled for December 12, 1986, but Tubbs pulled out of the fight and was replaced by Bonecrusher Smith, who knocked Witherspoon out in the first round. Tubbs said he had an injured shoulder, but promoter Don King accused Tubbs of trying to get more money. On March 21, 1988, Tubbs challenged Mike Tyson for the Undisputed World Heavyweight Championship; after out-boxing Tyson in the first round, Tubbs was knocked out in the second.

On November 21, 1989, Tubbs out-pointed top contender Orlin Norris, winning the North American Boxing Federation *le. However, Tubbs tested positive for cocaine. Tubbs was stripped of the *le and the victory was changed to a "no contest".

On April 20, 1991, a 34-year-old Tubbs lost a controversial ten-round decision to future Undisputed World Heavyweight Champion, Riddick Bowe. The general consensus in the media was that Tubbs had easily outboxed Bowe. On August 8, 1992, Tubbs was upset by Lionel Butler in a first-round knockout. Tubbs came back to out-point future WBA Heavyweight Champion Bruce Seldon, knocking him down in the 1st round, and the undefeated Alexander Zolkin, but then suffered another first-round knockout—this one to clubfighter Jimmy Ellis.

People's Choice Heavyweight Tournament

In December 1993, Tubbs took part in the one-night People's Choice Heavyweight Tournament in Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi. He knocked out Willie Jackson in the first round and won three-round decisions over 1984 Olympic Gold Medalist Tyrell Biggs, Jose Ribalta, and Daniel Dăncuţă to win the tournament. Depending on pay-per-view revenue, he had a chance to win $1 million. He was paid $170,000.

Late career

From 1994 to 1997, Tubbs went 3–3 with one no-contest. He retired but came back in 2002. He lost two of his first three comeback fights, but then won his next five, including a win over 18-0 Brian Minto. His last fight was a six-round unanimous decision over clubfighter Adam Smith on November 4, 2006.

California Boxing Hall of Fame

Tubbs was inducted into the California Boxing Hall of Fame on June 25, 2011 in Studio City, CA. Tubbs attended the induction with his family, mother and children.

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