Tim Witherspoon facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tim Witherspoon
Witherspoon in 2008
Statistics
Nickname(s)	Terrible
Rated at	Heavyweight
Height	6 ft 3+1/2 in
Reach	78 in
Born	(1957-12-27) December 27, 1957 (age 67) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	69
Wins	55
Wins by KO	38
Losses	13
Draws	1

Tim Witherspoon (born December 27, 1957) is an American former professional boxer. He competed in boxing matches from 1979 to 2003. Tim was a world champion in the heavyweight division two times. He held the WBC title in 1984 and the WBA title in 1986.

He won against other heavyweight champions like Greg Page, James Smith, Tony Tubbs, and Frank Bruno. He also beat cruiserweight champions Alfonzo Ratliff and Al Cole. Tim is well-known for his close fight against the undefeated champion Larry Holmes. Tim lost that fight by a very small difference in points. He also worked as a regular training partner for the famous boxer Muhammad Ali. Ali even gave Tim his nickname, "Terrible" Tim Witherspoon!

Tim Witherspoon's Boxing Journey

Starting His Career

Tim Witherspoon had a short amateur boxing career with six fights. He lost his last amateur fight to Marvis Frazier.

He started his professional boxing career on October 30, 1979. He won his first fight by a TKO (Technical Knockout) in the first round. Tim quickly became a rising star in boxing. In 1981, he had his first big fight. He knocked out Alfonzo Ratliff, who would later become a world champion. After this win, a famous boxing promoter named Don King signed him.

Tim also helped Muhammad Ali train for his fights. Ali was training to fight Larry Holmes and Trevor Berbick.

In 1982, Tim fought Renaldo Snipes. Snipes had recently given champion Larry Holmes a tough fight. Tim won against Snipes over 10 rounds. This win set up his own chance to fight Larry Holmes for a championship.

Fighting for the World Title

On May 20, 1983, Tim Witherspoon had his first chance to win a world title. He faced the top boxer in his weight class, World Boxing Council champion Larry Holmes. The fight took place in Las Vegas. Tim gave Holmes a very tough challenge. He even hurt Holmes badly in the ninth round. However, Tim lost the fight by a close decision after 12 rounds. Many people thought the decision was unfair.

Later that year, Tim won against Floyd "Jumbo" Cummings. He also won the NABF title by knocking out James "Quick" Tillis in the first round.

First Time as World Champion

In December 1983, Larry Holmes gave up his WBC title. He chose to take the title from a new boxing group called the IBF. This meant the WBC title was now empty.

Tim Witherspoon was set to fight Greg Page for the vacant title on March 9, 1984. Page had some issues with his promoter, Don King. He showed up to the fight heavier than he should have been. Tim won the fight by points and became the WBC heavyweight champion!

However, Tim's time as champion did not last long. He also started having problems with Don King. On August 31, 1984, he lost his title to Pinklon Thomas by a majority decision.

Second Time as World Champion

In 1985, Tim won back his NABF belt by beating James Broad. He also successfully defended this belt against James "Bonecrusher" Smith. These wins earned him another chance at a world heavyweight title.

He signed to fight the WBA champion Tony Tubbs on January 17, 1986. Tim won a very close fight against Tubbs. He became a world champion for the second time!

For his first defense of the WBA title, Tim traveled to London, England. He fought a young and strong English boxer named Frank Bruno. Bruno would later become a world champion himself. In the eleventh round, Tim won by a technical knockout. This was a big moment because it was the first time he successfully defended a world title after winning it.

After beating Bruno, Tim was supposed to have a rematch with Tony Tubbs. But Tubbs pulled out of the fight. So, Tim agreed to fight Bonecrusher Smith again. In their first fight, Tim had easily won. This time, the fight was on December 12, 1986. Tim was expected to win easily. But in a big surprise, Smith knocked Tim out in the first round! Everyone watching was shocked by this outcome.

After Being Champion

After losing his second world title, Tim had some legal issues. In 1991, he won the USBA heavyweight title. He beat Carl Williams for this belt. However, he then lost a points decision to Everett Martin.

In 1993, his legal issues were settled, and he received a large sum of money. By 1994, Tim had won five fights in a row by knockout. Even at 38 years old, he was still fighting well. He fought and defeated cruiserweight champion Al Cole and Cuban boxer Jorge Luis González. Later that year, he lost a 10-round fight to Ray Mercer.

After that loss, Tim took a year off. When he returned, he lost to Larry Donald and then to Jimmy Thunder. He also lost a fight in Poland to Andrew Golota.

In 2001, at 43 years old, Tim made a comeback. He knocked out a promising boxer named David Bostice. He also won against Eliecer Castillo and Ahmed Abdin. But his comeback ended when Lou Savarese stopped him in five rounds. Tim's last professional fight was in 2003.

Life After Boxing

Tim Witherspoon now lives near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He trains boxers, including his son, Tim Witherspoon Jr., who is a lightweight boxer. He has also trained other boxers, like Light Heavyweight champion Clinton Woods in the U.K.

In 2014, Tim wrote a book with the help of Kevin Baker and Ryan Danes.

Professional Boxing Summary

See also

In Spanish: Tim Witherspoon para niños