Pinklon Thomas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pinklon Thomas |
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| Nickname(s) | Pink |
| Rated at | Heavyweight |
| Height | 6 ft 3 in |
| Reach | 77 in |
| Nationality | American |
| Born | February 10, 1958 Pontiac, Michigan, U.S. |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 51 |
| Wins | 43 |
| Wins by KO | 34 |
| Losses | 7 |
| Draws | 1 |
Pinklon Thomas (born February 10, 1958) is an American former professional boxer. He competed in boxing from 1978 to 1993. Pinklon was known for his bright pink boxing shorts. He also had a very strong left jab punch. He was the first boxer to be called a 'Centennial Champion' for the years 1886-1986. Pinklon Thomas held the WBC heavyweight boxing title from 1984 to 1986. Many people think he was one of the best boxers of his time. He won against famous boxers like Mike Weaver, Tim Witherspoon, and James Tillis. He also fought to a draw with Gerrie Coetzee.
Contents
Pinklon's Early Life
Pinklon Thomas was born in Pontiac, Michigan. As a child, he lived in different places. These included military bases in South Carolina and Washington. Later, his family settled down in Orlando, Florida.
Pinklon's Boxing Career
Pinklon Thomas became a professional boxer very quickly. He had only three amateur fights before turning pro.
Becoming a Champion
Before winning his first championship, Pinklon fought many strong opponents. In 1983, he won against James Tillis. He also had a draw with Gerrie Coetzee, who later became a champion. Pinklon also defeated Alfonso Ratliff. By 1984, Pinklon had a great record of 24 wins, 0 losses, and 1 draw.
In August 1984, he got his chance to fight for a world title. He faced the reigning WBC heavyweight champion, Tim Witherspoon. The fight took place in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pinklon Thomas won the WBC Heavyweight Championship. It was a tough 12-round fight against "Terrible" Witherspoon.
Ten months later, he defended his title. He fought against former champion Mike Weaver. Pinklon won by knocking Weaver out with one punch in the eighth round. In March 1986, Pinklon lost his WBC title to Trevor Berbick.
Fighting Mike Tyson
After losing his title, Pinklon Thomas won three fights by knockout. This led to a big challenge in May 1987. He fought against the WBC and WBA Heavyweight champion, Mike Tyson. Pinklon was good at using his jab against Tyson. In the sixth round, Tyson knocked Pinklon down. This was the first and only time Pinklon Thomas was knocked down in his career. Even though he got up, the fight was stopped.
Later Fights
Pinklon Thomas retired and came back to boxing several times. He took on many top boxers.
In December 1988, he fought Evander Holyfield. Pinklon had not fought for 19 months and seemed a bit out of practice. Holyfield won the fight after seven rounds. Pinklon's long-time trainer, Angelo Dundee, suggested he retire.
Pinklon returned to boxing in 1990. He won a fight against Curtis Isaac. Then he lost to Mike "The Bounty" Hunter. A few months later, he fought Riddick Bowe. Pinklon stopped fighting after eight rounds. Riddick Bowe later became a world heavyweight champion.
In February 1991, Pinklon fought Tommy Morrison. Pinklon was cut and hurt in the first round. The fight was stopped between rounds. Tommy Morrison later won a world title.
Pinklon tried one last comeback in 1992. He won twelve fights. His last fight was in January 1993, where he lost to Lawrence Carter.
Life After Boxing
Today, Pinklon Thomas has a foundation called Project P.I.N.K. This stands for "Pride in Neighborhood Kids." He also works as a motivational speaker, inspiring young people.
Pinklon Thomas's Boxing Record
| 51 fights | 43 wins | 7 losses |
| By knockout | 34 | 5 |
| By decision | 9 | 2 |
| Draws | 1 | |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 51 | Loss | 43–7–1 | Lawrence Carter | TKO | 7 (12), 0:47 | Jan 29, 1993 | Township Auditorium, Columbia, South Carolina, U.S. | Lost WBF (Federation) heavyweight title |
| 50 | Win | 43–6–1 | Craig Payne | SD | 12 | Nov 14, 1992 | Memorial Auditorium, Greenville, South Carolina, U.S. | Won inaugural IBO and WBF (Federation) heavyweight titles |
| 49 | Win | 42–6–1 | Mike Owens | TKO | 3 (10) | Oct 22, 1992 | Club Rogues, Virginia Beach, Virginia, U.S. | |
| 48 | Win | 41–6–1 | Dion Burgess | TKO | 5 (10), 2:06 | Oct 2, 1992 | Robarts Arena, Sarasota, Florida, U.S. | |
| 47 | Win | 40–6–1 | Kevin Nesbitt | KO | 1 (10) | Sep 25, 1992 | Adam's Mark Hotel, Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S. | |
| 46 | Win | 39–6–1 | Frankie Hines | KO | 1 | Sep 19, 1992 | Bill Sapp Recreation Center, Lumberton, North Carolina, U.S. | |
| 45 | Win | 38–6–1 | Larry Beilfuss | KO | 1 (10) | Sep 5, 1992 | Howard Johnson Hotel and Conference Center, Daytona Beach, Florida, U.S. | |
| 44 | Win | 37–6–1 | Adolph Davis | KO | 1 (10) | Aug 22, 1992 | Denver, North Carolina, U.S. | |
| 43 | Win | 36–6–1 | Danny Wofford | UD | 10 | Aug 14, 1992 | Memorial Auditorium, Greenville, South Carolina, U.S. | |
| 42 | Win | 35–6–1 | James Smith | KO | 1 (10) | Aug 8, 1992 | Demopolis, Alabama, U.S. | |
| 41 | Win | 34–6–1 | Bobby Jones | TKO | 1 (10) | Aug 1, 1992 | Forest City, North Carolina, U.S. | |
| 40 | Win | 33–6–1 | Terry Miller | KO | 2 (10) | Jul 31, 1992 | Government House Hotel, Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S. | |
| 39 | Win | 32–6–1 | Danny Sutton | UD | 10 | Jun 27, 1992 | Memorial Auditorium, Greenville, South Carolina, U.S. | |
| 38 | Win | 31–6–1 | Herman Jackson | KO | 3 (10), 1:44 | May 29, 1992 | Memorial Auditorium, Greenville, South Carolina, U.S. | |
| 37 | Loss | 30–6–1 | Tommy Morrison | RTD | 1 (10), 3:00 | Feb 19, 1991 | Kemper Arena, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. | |
| 36 | Loss | 30–5–1 | Riddick Bowe | RTD | 8 (10), 3:00 | Sep 7, 1990 | University Physical Activities Center, Washington, D.C., U.S. | |
| 35 | Loss | 30–4–1 | Mike Hunter | UD | 10 | Jun 12, 1990 | Fort Bragg, North Carolina, U.S. | |
| 34 | Win | 30–3–1 | Curtis Isaac | UD | 10 | May 23, 1990 | The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S. | |
| 33 | Loss | 29–3–1 | Evander Holyfield | RTD | 7 (10), 3:00 | Dec 9, 1988 | Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 32 | Loss | 29–2–1 | Mike Tyson | TKO | 6 (12), 2:00 | May 30, 1987 | Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S. | For WBA and WBC heavyweight titles |
| 31 | Win | 29–1–1 | Danny Sutton | TKO | 7 (10), 2:54 | Mar 7, 1987 | Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 30 | Win | 28–1–1 | William Hosea | TKO | 7 (10), 1:10 | Nov 22, 1986 | Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 29 | Win | 27–1–1 | Narcisco Maldonado | KO | 5 (10) | Oct 16, 1986 | Aguadilla, Puerto Rico | |
| 28 | Loss | 26–1–1 | Trevor Berbick | UD | 12 | Mar 22, 1986 | Riviera, Winchester, Nevada, U.S. | Lost WBC heavyweight title |
| 27 | Win | 26–0–1 | Mike Weaver | KO | 8 (12), 1:42 | Jun 15, 1985 | Riviera, Winchester, Nevada, U.S. | Retained WBC heavyweight title |
| 26 | Win | 25–0–1 | Tim Witherspoon | MD | 12 | Aug 31, 1984 | Riviera, Winchester, Nevada, U.S. | Won WBC heavyweight title |
| 25 | Win | 24–0–1 | Bruce Grandham | RTD | 5 (10), 0:01 | Jun 20, 1984 | Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico | |
| 24 | Win | 23–0–1 | Leroy Boone | UD | 10 | Oct 27, 1983 | Sands, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 23 | Win | 22–0–1 | Michael Greer | TKO | 5 (10), 1:15 | Sep 24, 1983 | Ice World, Totowa, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 22 | Win | 21–0–1 | Alfonso Ratliff | TKO | 10 (10), 2:36 | Mar 26, 1983 | Sands, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 21 | Draw | 20–0–1 | Gerrie Coetzee | MD | 10 | Jan 22, 1983 | Sands, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 20 | Win | 20–0 | James Tillis | TKO | 8 (10), 0:58 | Aug 14, 1982 | Stouffer's Inn on the Square Ballroom, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. | |
| 19 | Win | 19–0 | Jerry Williams | KO | 2 (10), 1:29 | Jul 3, 1982 | Ice World, Totowa, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 18 | Win | 18–0 | Luis Acosta | RTD | 2 (10), 3:00 | May 23, 1982 | Tropicana, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 17 | Win | 17–0 | Johnny Warr | PTS | 8 | Jan 23, 1982 | Sands, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 16 | Win | 16–0 | Curtis Whitner | KO | 2 (10) | Nov 25, 1981 | Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 15 | Win | 15–0 | Lee Mitchell | KO | 1 (10) | Apr 16, 1981 | Center Arena, Seattle, Washington, U.S. | |
| 14 | Win | 14–0 | Jerry Williams | UD | 10 | Aug 28, 1980 | Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 13 | Win | 13–0 | Frank Brown | KO | 4 (10) | Jun 15, 1980 | Pine Knob Music Theatre, Clarkston, Michigan, U.S. | |
| 12 | Win | 12–0 | Jerry Williams | RTD | 5 (10), 3:00 | Feb 10, 1980 | Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S. | |
| 11 | Win | 11–0 | Bobby Jordan | TKO | 5 (10), 3:00 | Dec 14, 1979 | Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 10 | Win | 10–0 | Leroy Caldwell | KO | 10 (10), 2:48 | Jul 18, 1979 | Silver Slipper, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 9 | Win | 9–0 | Willie Stoglin | TKO | 2 (10), 2:52 | Jul 2, 1979 | High School, Sedro-Woolley, Washington, U.S. | |
| 8 | Win | 8–0 | George Jerome | TKO | 2 (8), 1:20 | Jun 7, 1979 | Jantzen Beach Center, Portland, Oregon, U.S. | |
| 7 | Win | 7–0 | Lee Holloman | KO | 2 (10), 2:28 | May 23, 1979 | Silver Slipper, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 6 | Win | 6–0 | Foma Leota | KO | 2 (10) | Apr 26, 1979 | Center Arena, Seattle, Washington, U.S. | |
| 5 | Win | 5–0 | Elmo Tex Henderson | TKO | 5 (10) | Apr 4, 1979 | Entertainment Trade and Recreation Arena, Billings, Montana, U.S. | |
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | Lew Lockwood | TKO | 4 (8) | Feb 20, 1979 | Center Arena, Seattle, Washington, U.S. | |
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Roger Braxton | TKO | 7 (8) | Jan 8, 1979 | Center Arena, Seattle, Washington, U.S. | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Mustafa El Amin | TKO | 3 (6) | Oct 31, 1978 | Saint Martin's University Gym, Lacey, Washington, U.S. | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Ken Arlt | SD | 6 | Aug 29, 1978 | Center Arena, Seattle, Washington, U.S. |
See also
In Spanish: Pinklon Thomas para niños
