Pinklon Thomas


Pinklon Thomas is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1978 to 1993. He was boxing's first 'Centennial Champion' and held the WBC heavyweight title from 1984 to 1986. He is considered one of the best boxers of his generation. He beat former heavyweight champions Mike Weaver, Tim Witherspoon, James Tillis and future cruiserweight champion Alfonso Ratliff. He also drew with future WBA Heavyweight Champion Gerrie Coetzee. Thomas was known for his pink boxing trunks and a powerful left jab.

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.
Thomas took on a number of contenders and champions before his first championship; After a win over multiple time world title challenger James Tillis, in 1983, Thomas took Gerrie Coetzee to a draw, who later that year won the WBA heavyweight belt, and defeated the eventual WBC cruiserweight champion, Alfonso Ratliff. 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" Witherspoon. 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, he enjoyed success outjabbing Tyson. After a long break for a torn glove, action resumed in the 6th round in which Tyson had regained his energy and Tyson knocked Thomas out with a brutal fifteen punch salvo, knocking the extremely durable Thomas down for the first and only time in his 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, and the fight was stopped. 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 the fight was stopped in between rounds. 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., and is a motivational speaker.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
51LossLawrence CarterTKO7, 0:47Jan 29, 1993Township Auditorium, Columbia, South Carolina, U.S.For inaugural WBF Heavyweight Title
50Win43–6–1Craig PayneSD12Nov 14, 1992Memorial Auditorium, Greenville, South Carolina, U.S.Won inaugural IBO Heavyweight Title
49Win42–6–1Mike OwensTKO3 Oct 22, 1992Club Rogues, Virginia Beach, Virginia, U.S.
48Win41–6–1Dion BurgessTKO5, 2:06Oct 2, 1992Robarts Arena, Sarasota, Florida, U.S.
47Win40–6–1Kevin NesbittKO1 Sep 25, 1992Adam's Mark Hotel, Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.
46Win39–6–1Frankie HinesKO1Sep 19, 1992Bill Sapp Recreation Center, Lumberton, North Carolina, U.S.
45Win38–6–1Larry BeilfussKO1 Sep 5, 1992Howard Johnson Hotel and Conference Center, Daytona Beach, Florida, U.S.
44Win37–6–1Adolph DavisKO1 Aug 22, 1992Denver, North Carolina, U.S.
43Win36–6–1Danny WoffordUD10Aug 14, 1992Memorial Auditorium, Greenville, South Carolina, U.S.
42Win35–6–1James SmithKO1 Aug 8, 1992Demopolis, Alabama, U.S.
41Win34–6–1Bobby JonesTKO1 Aug 1, 1992Forest City, North Carolina, U.S.
40Win33–6–1Terry MillerKO2 Jul 31, 1992Government House Hotel, Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.
39Win32–6–1Danny SuttonUD10Jun 27, 1992Memorial Auditorium, Greenville, South Carolina, U.S.
38Win31–6–1Herman JacksonKO3, 1:44May 29, 1992Memorial Auditorium, Greenville, South Carolina, U.S.
37Loss30–6–1Tommy MorrisonRTD1, 3:00Feb 19, 1991Kemper Arena, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
36Loss30–5–1Riddick BoweRTD8, 3:00Sep 7, 1990University Physical Activities Center, Washington, D.C., U.S.
35Loss30–4–1Mike HunterUD10Jun 12, 1990Fort Bragg, North Carolina, U.S.
34Win30–3–1Curtis IsaacUD10May 23, 1990The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.
33Loss29–3–1Evander HolyfieldRTD7, 3:00Dec 9, 1988Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
32Loss29–2–1Mike TysonTKO6, 2:00May 30, 1987Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.For WBA and WBC heavyweight titles
31Win29–1–1Danny SuttonTKO7, 2:54Mar 7, 1987Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.
30Win28–1–1William HoseaTKO7, 1:10Nov 22, 1986Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.
29Win27–1–1Narcisco MaldonadoKO5 Oct 16, 1986Aguadilla, Puerto Rico
28Loss26–1–1Trevor BerbickUD12Mar 22, 1986Riviera, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.Lost WBC heavyweight title
27Win26–0–1Mike WeaverKO8, 1:42Jun 15, 1985Riviera, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.Retained WBC heavyweight title
26Win25–0–1Tim Witherspoon12Aug 31, 1984Riviera, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.Won WBC heavyweight title
25Win24–0–1Bruce GrandhamRTD5, 0:01Jun 20, 1984Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico
24Win23–0–1Leroy BooneUD10Oct 27, 1983Sands, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
23Win22–0–1Michael GreerTKO5, 1:15Sep 24, 1983Ice World, Totowa, New Jersey, U.S.
22Win21–0–1Alfonso RatliffTKO10, 2:36Mar 26, 1983Sands, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
21Draw20–0–1Gerrie Coetzee10Jan 22, 1983Sands, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
20Win20–0James TillisTKO8, 0:58Aug 14, 1982Stouffer's Inn on the Square Ballroom, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
19Win19–0Jerry WilliamsKO2, 1:29Jul 3, 1982Ice World, Totowa, New Jersey, U.S.
18Win18–0Luis AcostaRTD2, 3:00May 23, 1982Tropicana, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
17Win17–0Johnny Warr8Jan 23, 1982Sands, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
16Win16–0Curtis WhitnerKO2 Nov 25, 1981Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
15Win15–0Lee MitchellKO1 Apr 16, 1981Center Arena, Seattle, Washington, U.S.
14Win14–0Jerry Williams10Aug 28, 1980Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
13Win13–0Frank BrownKO4 Jun 15, 1980Pine Knob Music Theatre, Clarkston, Michigan, U.S.
12Win12–0Jerry Williams5, 3:00Feb 10, 1980Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
11Win11–0Bobby JordanTKO5, 3:00Dec 14, 1979Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
10Win10–0Leroy CaldwellKO10, 2:48Jul 18, 1979Silver Slipper, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
9Win9–0Willie StoglinTKO2, 2:52Jul 2, 1979High School, Sedro-Woolley, Washington, U.S.
8Win8–0George JeromeTKO2, 1:20Jun 7, 1979Jantzen Beach Center, Portland, Oregon, U.S.
7Win7–0Lee HollomanKO2, 2:28May 23, 1979Silver Slipper, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
6Win6–0Foma Leota2 Apr 26, 1979Center Arena, Seattle, Washington, U.S.
5Win5–0Elmo Tex HendersonTKO5 Apr 4, 1979Entertainment Trade and Recreation Arena, Billings, Montana, U.S.
4Win4–0Lew LockwoodTKO4 Feb 20, 1979Center Arena, Seattle, Washington, U.S.
3Win3–0Roger BraxtonTKO7 Jan 8, 1979Center Arena, Seattle, Washington, U.S.
2Win2–0Mustafa El Amin3 Oct 31, 1978Saint Martin's University Gym, Lacey, Washington, U.S.
1Win1–0Ken Arlt6Aug 29, 1978Center Arena, Seattle, Washington, U.S.