Tony Tubbs


Tony Tubbs is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1980 to 2006, and held the WBA heavyweight title 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. Tubbs trained with the Muhammad Ali Amateur Boxing Team in Santa Monica, CA. 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 Khoren Indzhyan, and finally avenged his loss to Marvis Frazier, who prior to that upset went unbeaten with a 42–0 record. Tony fought as a member of the Muhammad Ali Amateur Boxing Team.
By 1980 the conclusion of Tubbs's 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

1976: USA–USSR Duals, Sahara Hotel Space Center, Las Vegas, Nevada
  • Lost to Igor Vysotsky RSC 2
1977: USA–USSR Duals, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
  • Defeated Pyotr Zayev by decision
1977: National Golden Gloves, Honolulu, Hawaii
  • 1/2: Lost to Jimmy Clark by decision
1978: National Sports Festival, Fort Carson
  • Finals: Lost to Mitch Green by decision
1978: United States National Championships, Biloxi, Mississippi
  • 1/2: Defeated Woody Clark by decision
  • Finals: Lost to Greg Page by decision
1978: World Championships, Belgrade, Yugoslavia :
1979: USA–USSR Duals, Las Vegas, Nevada
  • Defeated Yevgeniy Gorstkov by decision
1979: National Golden Gloves
1979: United States National Championships, Lake Charles, Louisiana
  • Finals: Defeated Phillip Brown
1979: Frazier–Ali teams match-up, Atlantic City, New Jersey
  • Lost to Marvis Frazier by decision
1979: World Cup, Madison Square Garden, New York City :
  • 1/4: Defeated Narciso Maldonado KO 1
  • 1/2: Defeated Luk Tchoula KO 3
  • Finals: Defeated Khoren Indzhyan by unanimous decision, 5–0
1980: Frazier–Ali teams match-up, Houston, Texas :
  • Defeated Marvis Frazier by decision
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 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 champion James "Bonecrusher" Smith in a WBA title eliminator. Tubbs won by a unanimous decision, taking his record to 20–0.

World heavyweight title fights

On April 29, 1985, Tubbs challenged Greg Page for the WBA heavyweight world title. 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 title defense against former WBC heavyweight champion Tim Witherspoon. Tubbs weighed-in at, 15 more than he weighed for the Page fight, and lost the title 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 title. However, Tubbs failed two post-fight drugs tests, testing positive for cocaine. Tubbs was stripped of the title and the victory was changed to a no contest.
On April 20, 1991, a 34-year-old Tubbs lost a highly 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 beating undefeated Alexander Zolkin by unanimous decision, 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.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
59WinAdam SmithUD6Nov 4, 2006Waterfront Place Hotel, Morgantown, West Virginia, U.S.
58Win46–10 Jason WallerTKO7, 2:05Aug 6, 2006Grand Victoria Casino & Resort, Rising Sun, Indiana, U.S.
57Win45–10 Danny WoffordUD6Feb 25, 2005Municipal Auditorium, Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
56Win44–10 Brian Minto10Dec 30, 2004Mountaineer Casino Racetrack and Resort, Chester, West Virginia, U.S.Won West Virginia heavyweight title
55Win43–10 Brian SargentTKO1, 1:25Oct 29, 2004Civic Arena, St. Joseph, Missouri, U.S.
54Loss42–10 Abraham OkineTKO8, 2:20Jul 25, 2003Lakeview Resort, Morgantown, West Virginia, U.S.
53Loss42–9 Gilbert MartinezUD10Jan 17, 2003Palace Indian Gaming Center, Lemoore, California, U.S.
52Win42–8 Michael ShanksTKO2, 0:52Mar 26, 2002Cumberland Place Exhibition Center, West Lafayette, Indiana, U.S.
51Win41–8 Mario Oscar MeloKO5 Aug 30, 1997Estadio Polideportivo Islas Malvinas, Mar del Plata, Argentina
50Loss40–8 Brian NielsenRTD3 Oct 20, 1995Circus Building, Copenhagen, Denmark
49Loss40–7 Alexander ZolkinMD12Aug 25, 1995Bally's Park Place, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.For NABF heavyweight title
48Win40–6 Andre CrowderKO1, 2:48Mar 29, 1995Myrl H. Shoemaker Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
47Loss39–6 Jimmy ThunderPTS12Dec 6, 1994The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.For IBO heavyweight title
46NC39–5 William MorrisUD10Oct 4, 1994The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.Originally a UD win for Tubbs, later ruled an NC
45Win39–5 Everett MartinUD10Feb 22, 1994The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.
44Win38–5 Willie JacksonUD3Dec 3, 1993Casino Magic, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, U.S.
43Win37–5 Tyrell BiggsUD3Dec 3, 1993Casino Magic, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, U.S.
42Win36–5 Jose RibaltaUD3Dec 3, 1993Casino Magic, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, U.S.
41Win35–5 Daniel DăncuțăUD3Dec 3, 1993Casino Magic, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, U.S.
40Loss34–5 Jimmy EllisKO1Aug 16, 1993Boise, Idaho, U.S.Not Jimmy Ellis the former WBA world heavyweight champion
39Win34–4 Melton BowenUD10Apr 27, 1993The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.
38Win33–4 Alexander ZolkinUD10Feb 2, 1993The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.
37Win32–4 Jesse FergusonUD10Nov 24, 1992The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.
36Win31–4 Bruce SeldonUD10Oct 14, 1992Broadway by the Bay Theater, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
35Loss30–4 Lionel ButlerKO1, 3:00Aug 18, 1992Bayfront Plaza Auditorium, Pensacola, Florida, U.S.
34Win30–3 Leon TaylorTKO8, 1:07Feb 16, 1992Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.
33Loss29–3 Riddick BoweUD10Apr 20, 1991Broadway by the Bay Theater, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
32Win29–2 Lawrence CarterRTD6 Oct 20, 1990Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
31Win28–2 Mike CohenTKO6, 2:59Jul 28, 1990Trump's Castle, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
3027–2 Orlin NorrisMD12Nov 21, 1989Civic Auditorium, Santa Monica, California, U.S.NABF heavyweight title at stake;
Originally an MD win for Tubbs, later ruled an NC after he failed a drug test
29Win27–2Ladislao MijangosTKO3 Jun 24, 1989Bakersfield, California, U.S.
28Win26–2Eddie Richardson8, 1:03May 6, 1989Civic Center, Pensacola, Florida, U.S.Richardson disqualified for an intentional headbutt
27Win25–2Mike EvansUD10Apr 20, 1989The Strand, Redondo Beach, California, U.S.
26Loss24–2Mike TysonTKO2, 2:54Mar 21, 1988Tokyo Dome, Tokyo, JapanFor WBA, WBC, and IBF heavyweight titles
25Win24–1Eddie GonzalesRTD3, 3:00Sep 29, 1987Celebrity Theatre, Anaheim, California, U.S.
24Win23–1Jerry HalsteadUD10May 30, 1987Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.
23Win22–1Mike JamesonUD10Apr 20, 1987Civic Auditorium, Santa Monica, California, U.S.
22Loss21–1Tim Witherspoon15Jan 17, 1986Omni Coliseum, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.Lost WBA heavyweight title
21Win21–0Greg PageUD15Apr 29, 1985Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.Won WBA heavyweight title
20Win20–0James SmithUD10Mar 15, 1985Riviera, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.
19Win19–0Tim MillerTKO2 Jan 16, 1985Riviera, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.
18Win18–0Jerry WilliamsTKO7, 2:39Nov 9, 1984Riviera, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.
17Win17–0Tom TrimmTKO2 Mar 18, 1984Civic Auditorium, Santa Monica, California, U.S.
16Win16–0Gordon RacetteUD10Sep 9, 1983Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
15Win15–0Jimmy YoungUD10Apr 10, 1983Hilton, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
14Win14–0Larry GivensTKO7, 1:06Feb 25, 1983Cincinnati Gardens, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
13Win13–0Steve ZouskiTKO5 Sep 18, 1982Sands, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
12Win12–0Clarence HillUD10Aug 7, 1982University, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.
11Win11–0Clayman ParkerTKO1, 2:02Jun 12, 1982Playboy Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
10Win10–0Baker Tinsley3, 1:41Apr 11, 1982Playboy Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
9Win9–0Don Halpin8Dec 18, 1981David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
8Win8–0Jesse BrownTKO1, 2:24Nov 21, 1981Vegas Club, Erlanger, Kentucky, U.S.
7Win7–0Dennis WimberlyTKO2, 2:35Aug 21, 1981Thomas Dunn Sports Center, Elizabeth, New Jersey, U.S.
6Win6–0Mike Creel3, 3:00Nov 29, 1980Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
5Win5–0Larry SimsTKO3 Nov 22, 1980Riverfront Coliseum, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
4Win4–0John L JohnsonTKO1, 2:17Nov 14, 1980Jai-Alai Fronton, Miami, Florida, U.S.
3Win3–0Ron Draper6Nov 7, 1980HemisFair Arena, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
2Win2–0Ron DraperTKO4, 0:54Aug 2, 1980Riverfront Coliseum, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
1Win1–0Bruce Scott1, 1:13Jun 14, 1980Riverfront Coliseum, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.