- Michael Dokes
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Michael Dokes Statistics Real name Michael Dokes Nickname(s) Dynamite Rated at Heavyweight Nationality American Born August 10, 1958
Akron, OhioStance Orthodox Boxing record Total fights 61 Wins 53 Wins by KO 33 Losses 6 Draws 2 No contests 0 Michael Marshall Dokes (born August 10, 1958 in Akron, Ohio) is a former American boxer in the heavyweight division, nicknamed "Dynamite."
Contents
Amateur career
Dokes won a silver medal at the 1975 Pan American Games. He lost a 3-2 split decision to Teofilio Stevenson in the finals. He also lost a close decision to John Tate in the Olympic Trials, after which he turned professional.
Amateur Accomplishments
- 1975 National AAU Heavyweight Champion
- 1976 National Golden Gloves Heavyweight Champion, beating future pro champs John Tate and Greg Page en route.
- As an underage 15 year old, made it to the finals of both the 1974 National Golden Gloves and the National AAU tournaments.He lost to Leon Spinks in AAU final, and future Tyson trainer Bobby Stewart in the Golden Gloves final.
- Won 1974 North American championships.
Pro career
Dokes turned professional in 1976. He received national exposure in a televised exhibition with Muhammad Ali in 1977, which saw Ali clown and mug while slipping Dokes' punches, but also revealed glimpses of Dokes' potential.[1] He came to real prominence in 1979 by defeating veteran contender Jimmy Young. His career faltered slightly after fighting to a draw with Ossie Ocasio, but Dokes returned to knock out Ocasio in one round soon thereafter. By early 1982, after a first round knockout of Lynn Ball to win the NABF title, Dokes was in line for a title shot. He was ranked #2 by the WBC and #3 by the WBA. Dokes became WBA heavyweight champion in 1982 by knocking out Mike Weaver in the first round. A rematch was ordered due to the controversial nature of referee Joey Curtis's stoppage, which some felt was premature. In the rematch, Dokes retained his title on a majority draw.
Dokes's reign as the WBA title holder was short-lived. He lost his title by a tenth round knockout to Gerrie Coetzee. He was later knocked out by future champion Evander Holyfield in a fight which was called the "Heavyweight Fight of the Year" in 1989, and the "Heavyweight Fight of the Decade" for the 1980s.[citation needed]
Dokes was knocked out by Razor Ruddock in 1990. In 1993, Dokes faced newly crowned heavyweight champion Riddick Bowe in his first title defense since defeating Evander Holyfield. Bowe won by TKO in the first round. Although Dokes and his team protested that the fight was stopped prematurely, it was obvious that Dokes was in no condition to continue after taking a vicious barrage of punches from the heavy hitting Bowe. After a nearly three year hiatus, Dokes returned to the ring winning 3 out 5 matches over a two year period before retiring for good in 1997.
Honors
Dokes was named The Ring magazine Comeback of the Year fighter for 1988.
Life After Boxing
In 1999 Dokes was sentenced to between four and 15 years in prison after being convicted of an attack on his fiancee in August 1998.Late in 2008, Dokes was released on parole.[1]
He is currently fighting a battle with liver cancer.
Notes
References
- Professional boxing record for Michael Dokes from BoxRec
Achievements Preceded by
Dwain BondsUnited States Amateur Heavyweight Champion
1975Succeeded by
Marvin StinsonVacant Title last held byLeroy JonesNABF Heavyweight Champion
30 January 1982 - 10 December 1982
VacatedSucceeded by
Tim WitherspoonPreceded by
Mike WeaverHeavyweight boxing champion (WBA)
1982–1983Succeeded by
Gerrie CoetzeeVacant Title last held byLeon SpinksWBC Continental Americas Heavyweight Champion
28 April 1988 - 11 March 1989Succeeded by
Evander HolyfieldNew title WBA Inter-Continental Heavyweight Champion
13 November 1989 - 4 April 1990Succeeded by
Razor RuddockCategories:- 1958 births
- African American boxers
- American prisoners and detainees
- Heavyweight boxers
- Living people
- People from Akron, Ohio
- World heavyweight boxing champions
- World Boxing Association Champions
- National Golden Gloves champions
- Winners of the United States Championship for amateur boxers
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