Pinklon Thomas


Pinklon Thomas is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1978 to 1993. He held the WBC heavyweight title from 1984 to 1986, and was the first IBO heavyweight champion, holding the title from 1992 to 1993. Thomas' distinguishing characteristics were 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. 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" Tim Witherspoon on August 31, 1984. 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 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.

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, after which he was pulled out of his corner. 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 pulled out on his stool. 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
51Loss43–7–1 Lawrence CarterTKO7, 0:47Jan 29, 1993 Township Auditorium, Columbia, South Carolina, U.S.Lost WBF heavyweight title
50Win43–6–1 Craig PayneSD12Nov 14, 1992 Memorial Auditorium, Greenville, South Carolina, U.S.Won inaugural IBO and WBF heavyweight titles
49Win42–6–1 Mike OwensTKO3 Oct 22, 1992 Club Rogues, Virginia Beach, Virginia, U.S.
48Win41–6–1 Dion BurgessTKO5, 2:06Oct 2, 1992 Robarts Arena, Sarasota, Florida, U.S.
47Win40–6–1 Kevin NesbittKO1 Sep 25, 1992 Adam's Mark Hotel, Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.
46Win39–6–1 Frankie HinesKO1Sep 19, 1992 Bill Sapp Recreation Center, Lumberton, North Carolina, U.S.
45Win38–6–1 Larry BeilfussKO1 Sep 5, 1992 Howard Johnson Hotel and Conference Center, Daytona Beach, Florida, U.S.
44Win37–6–1 Adolph DavisKO1 Aug 22, 1992 Denver, North Carolina, U.S.
43Win36–6–1 Danny WoffordUD10Aug 14, 1992 Memorial Auditorium, Greenville, South Carolina, U.S.
42Win35–6–1 James SmithKO1 Aug 8, 1992 Demopolis, Alabama, U.S.
41Win34–6–1 Bobby JonesTKO1 Aug 1, 1992 Forest City, North Carolina, U.S.
40Win33–6–1 Terry MillerKO2 Jul 31, 1992 Government House Hotel, Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.
39Win32–6–1 Danny SuttonUD10Jun 27, 1992 Memorial Auditorium, Greenville, South Carolina, U.S.
38Win31–6–1 Herman JacksonKO3, 1:44May 29, 1992 Memorial Auditorium, Greenville, South Carolina, U.S.
37Loss30–6–1 Tommy MorrisonRTD1, 3:00Feb 19, 1991 Kemper Arena, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
36Loss30–5–1 Riddick BoweRTD8, 3:00Sep 7, 1990 University Physical Activities Center, Washington, D.C., U.S.
35Loss30–4–1 Mike HunterUD10Jun 12, 1990 Fort Bragg, North Carolina, U.S.
34Win30–3–1 Curtis IsaacUD10May 23, 1990 The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.
33Loss29–3–1 Evander HolyfieldRTD7, 3:00Dec 9, 1988 Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
32Loss29–2–1 Mike TysonTKO6, 2:00May 30, 1987 Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.For WBA and WBC heavyweight titles
31Win29–1–1 Danny SuttonTKO7, 2:54Mar 7, 1987 Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.
30Win28–1–1 William HoseaTKO7, 1:10Nov 22, 1986 Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.
29Win27–1–1 Narcisco MaldonadoKO5 Oct 16, 1986 Aguadilla, Puerto Rico
28Loss26–1–1 Trevor BerbickUD12Mar 22, 1986 Riviera, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.Lost WBC heavyweight title
27Win26–0–1 Mike WeaverTKO8, 1:42Jun 15, 1985 Riviera, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.Retained WBC heavyweight title
26Win25–0–1 Tim Witherspoon12Aug 31, 1984 Riviera, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.Won WBC heavyweight title
25Win24–0–1 Bruce GrandhamRTD5, 0:01Jun 20, 1984 Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico
24Win23–0–1 Leroy BooneUD10Oct 27, 1983 Sands, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
23Win22–0–1 Michael GreerTKO5, 1:15Sep 24, 1983 Ice World, Totowa, New Jersey, U.S.
22Win21–0–1 Alfonso RatliffTKO10, 2:36Mar 26, 1983 Sands, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
21Draw20–0–1 Gerrie Coetzee10Jan 22, 1983 Sands, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
20Win20–0 James TillisTKO8, 0:58Aug 14, 1982 Stouffer's Inn on the Square Ballroom, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
19Win19–0 Jerry WilliamsKO2, 1:29Jul 3, 1982 Ice World, Totowa, New Jersey, U.S.
18Win18–0 Luis AcostaRTD2, 3:00May 23, 1982 Tropicana, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
17Win17–0 Johnny Warr8Jan 23, 1982 Sands, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
16Win16–0 Curtis WhitnerKO2 Nov 25, 1981 Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
15Win15–0 Lee MitchellKO1 Apr 16, 1981 Center Arena, Seattle, Washington, U.S.
14Win14–0 Jerry Williams10Aug 28, 1980 Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
13Win13–0 Frank BrownKO4 Jun 15, 1980 Pine Knob Music Theatre, Clarkston, Michigan, U.S.
12Win12–0 Jerry Williams5, 3:00Feb 10, 1980 Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
11Win11–0 Bobby JordanTKO5, 3:00Dec 14, 1979 Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
10Win10–0 Leroy CaldwellKO10, 2:48Jul 18, 1979 Silver Slipper, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
9Win9–0 Willie StoglinTKO2, 2:52Jul 2, 1979 High School, Sedro-Woolley, Washington, U.S.
8Win8–0 George JeromeTKO2, 1:20Jun 7, 1979 Jantzen Beach Center, Portland, Oregon, U.S.
7Win7–0 Lee HollomanKO2, 2:28May 23, 1979 Silver Slipper, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
6Win6–0 Foma Leota2 Apr 26, 1979 Center Arena, Seattle, Washington, U.S.
5Win5–0 Elmo Tex HendersonTKO5 Apr 4, 1979 Entertainment Trade and Recreation Arena, Billings, Montana, U.S.
4Win4–0 Lew LockwoodTKO4 Feb 20, 1979 Center Arena, Seattle, Washington, U.S.
3Win3–0 Roger BraxtonTKO7 Jan 8, 1979 Center Arena, Seattle, Washington, U.S.
2Win2–0 Mustafa El Amin3 Oct 31, 1978 Saint Martin's University Gym, Lacey, Washington, U.S.
1Win1–0 Ken Arlt6Aug 29, 1978 Center Arena, Seattle, Washington, U.S.