Pinklon Thomas

Infobox_Boxer


name = Pinklon Thomas
realname = Pinklon Thomas
nickname = Pink
weight = Heavyweight
nationality = American}
birth_date = Birth date and age|1958|2|10|mf=y
death_date =
birth_place = Pontiac, Michigan, United States
home =Pontiac, Michigan
style = Orthodox
total = 51
wins = 43
KO = 34
losses = 7
draws = 1
no contests = 0

Pinklon Thomas (born February 10, 1958 in Pontiac, Michigan) is a former boxer whose trademark pink boxing trunks and a left jab were key distinguishing characteristics.

A native of Pontiac, Michigan who also lived on military bases in South Carolina and Washington state, Thomas eventually settled in Wyncote, Pennsylvania.

World champion

Thomas, with a record of 24-0-1, would finally get his World title shot against reigning WBC champion Tim Witherspoon in August 1984, in Las Vegas, NV.

Witherspoon was said to be in constant turmoil with promoter Don King, and Thomas boxed his way to a clear cut (although scored majority) decision.

As Witherspoon had lost controversially via a razor-thin split decision to IBF champ Larry Holmes the previous year (and Holmes had vacated the WBC title rather than fight Witherspoon again or Greg Page), many saw Thomas as #1 in the world.

In June 1985 Thomas underlined his credentials, fighting an exciting war with ex-champ Mike Weaver, and scoring a dramatic one-punch knockout in the 8th round.

By March 1986 when he signed to defend via wily veteran Trevor Berbick, many wondered whether Thomas was taking the challenge seriously, concentrating as he was on managing other fights and a record career. The powerfully-built Jamaican relieved Thomas of his WBC title, clubbing him to a 12 round unanimous defeat.

Thomas came back and reeled off three kayo wins over journeymen, generally deemed unimpressive by the boxing press, before setting up a May 1987 challenge to WBC and WBA Heavweight champion Mike Tyson. Although Thomas 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 where Tyson knocked Thomas out with a brutal fifteen punch salvo, knocking the extremely durable Thomas down for the first and last time in his lengthy career. Although he got up inside the count, the fight was waved off.

Decline

Thomas would never be in contention for the world title again, taking dangerous fights against top contenders.

In December 1988 he returned from a 19 month layoff to fight #1 Heavyweight contender Evander Holyfield. Thomas looked rusty and past his best as he was outclassed over 7 rounds, after which he was pulled out by his corner. Long-time trainer Angelo Dundee advised Thomas to retire and stopped working with him. Holyfield would go on to win the World Heavyweight title three times and be named one of the all-time greats.

Thomas returned in 1990 to outpoint journeyman Curtis Isaac over 10 rounds, before being outpointed himself by the erratic and extremely awkward Mike "The Bounty" Hunter. A few months later he was beaten up by Riddick Bowe and pulled out after 8 rounds. Bowe would go on to defeat Holyfield and become Undisputed Heavyweight champion of the World.

In February 1991 he took on hard hitting heavyweight Tommy Morrison but was cut and shaken up in the opening round, and pulled out on his stool. Morrison went to win the WBO belt.

Thomas attempted one final comeback in 1992, beating twelve journeymen before outpointing former outstanding amateur Craig Payne for the obscure IBO belt. In his final fight in January 1993 he was upset by journeyman "Poncho" Carter.

He tried comeback in 1999 for a fight with old foe Tim Witherspoon, but could not confirm a fight with Larry Holmes for the winner so chose not to participate.

Retired

While Pinklon is still involved in the sport, he has 'changed gears' to a more trainer/counselor standpoint, assisting those pugilists in the 'next generation.'

As of 2004 he was working as a drug counselor at the "Center for Drug Free Living" in Orlando, Florida, with young offenders. Pinklon currently works as an assistant at an alternative school in Orlando,Florida called C.E.P. were he works with juvenile children to help them do better in life.

External links

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