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twilight-zone twitter tyron-harris tyson-inside-source tyson-return tz ubo ufc ufc-108 unedited-donner-cut usa using-religion va valarie-murphy vanessa-del-rio vic-d videos vidoes vinny-paz vital-klitschko vitali-klitschko vito-spatafore washington wba wba-heavyweight wbo weirdo white-buffalo wife-beater william-shatner win wlad-klitschko wladimir-klitschko wladmi worcester work work-out world-champion world-champions world-title worldwide-boxing-news worlwide wrestlemania-i wrestlers wrestling write writers-wanted wwe wwe-mma-sports yusaf-mack zab-judah Reaching the Mountain Top - Up Close and Personal with Former WBC Heavyweight Champion Pinklon Thomas http://www.ringsidereport.com/?p=159 Tue, 10 Jun 2003 23:52:34 +0000 http://melwalker.net/?p=159 Interview by “Bad” Brad Berkwitt “Winning the WBC Heavyweight Championship of the World is an event I will cherish for the rest of my life.”---Pinklon Thomas Pinklon Thomas came into this world at the end of the reign of the only undefeated Heavyweight Champion of the World who was known as the original “Rock”, and was none other then, Rocky Marciano. And, when he turned professional in 1978, he came along at the end of yet another era for a Heavyweight Champion; this one nicknamed “The Greatest” Muhammad Ali. Thomas in his trademark pink shorts, made his way up the heavyweight ranks, building his record and fan base that saw him win the WBC Heavyweight Championship of the World on August 31, 1984, when he defeated “Terrible” Tim Witherspoon, over 12 rounds. This win cemented his name in the history of the coveted heavyweight division, and no doubt will remain a close thing to his heart. In the early 1980’s a pre “Bad” Brad Berkwitt who attended Pontiac Central High School in Pontiac, Michigan, watched with great anticipation of “Pinky” as we called him to get his shot at the title because as I did, he went to Pontiac Central High School. The one time of probably many he came there, I was unable to get up to the basketball game he attended to meet him in person, but my buddies told me he was a very nice guy and hung out after the game. With memories like this from my childhood, it’s now an honor to have the opportunity to bring the readers interviews with guys that my age group grew up with and I have no doubt, have fond memories of. BB: In your 15 years since you retired from boxing, what have you been up to? I moved down to Orlando, Florida and got involved with the Center for Drug Free Living which helps substance abused, physically abused kids and works with teens with problems in Orlando. They are sentenced to the program through the Orlando juvenile justice system. In this program, I have worked in many capacities as a youth specialist and counselor. BB: You turned professional in 1978. That was the year that pretty much ended the Muhammad Ali era. What are your observations of the heavyweight division at the time of his departure? That was the year Ali fought Leon Spinks and was upset in their first meeting in February of the year, only to come back in September of the same year, and become the only man to win the Heavyweight Championship for the third time. Up until that point in boxing history no one had done that. It was a tough era in the heavyweight division because you really had a change of guard with guys such as Larry Holmes, Greg Page, and Tim Witherspoon to name just a few were coming along as well as me. We all had a tough act to follow when Muhammad Ali was out of the picture. BB: In your fourth year as a pro, you start really coming into your own when on, August 14, 1982, you face top ranked former Heavyweight Title challenger James “Quick” Tillis. In a fight that was televised on TV, you were supposed to be just a stepping stone for “Quick”. You proved many wrong, when you stopped him in eighth round. What are your recollections of the fight? It was funny because at that time, I was training at Joe Frazier’s gym in Philadelphia. At that time, I was training to fight Jeff Shellburg in Atlantic City. Two days before the Shellburg fight, I get a call from Cleveland that Witherspoon had pulled out of the fight against “Quick” for some reason I can’t recall. Georgie Benton knew I was in great shape and had really been training. We took the fight with them thinking I was a pushover. “Quick” didn’t hurt me in the fight and I was ready to face someone in the top ten so I could make a name for myself on the boxing scene. Once I had a big win like this over a top ten guy, I made a concerted effort to get out and meet the boxing fans. Since I wasn’t known, I would stay after the big guys would leave out, signing match boxes to toilet paper, as long as it made the fans happy. I wanted the boxing folks to know me and enjoyed every bit of meeting with them. (**These are the kinds of answers I truly enjoy in doing this job. The fans are what make all of us and without them, we would not be here.) BB: Beating Tillis places you in the title sweepstakes of the heavyweight division. In your next fight, you face another top ten fighter, along with former Heavyweight Title challenger named Gerrie Coetzee. In this fight, you earn a draw. What do you recall about this fight? It was funny how things worked after the win over Tillis in the political landscape of boxing. Don King pretty much had the top ten in the heavyweight division. Tillis had King behind him and had he beat me, he was supposed to fight Larry Holmes for the title. As you know, Larry Holmes for whatever reason would not fight me. Don King wanted me to come and sign with him, but at that time, I was with the Duva’s promotional group. It was hard to get a top ten fighter, but Coetzee was with Bob Arum so I got to fight him. I really don’t think the fight was a draw. The early rounds I admit I may have given up a few, but after the fifth round, I really started busting him up. Coetzee was very tough, but very well protected by his handlers. BB: After the Coetzee fight, you reel off four wins and reach the dream that every fighter has and that is, to challenge for the Championship Belt of their respective weight class. Your dream turns to reality on August 31, 1984, when you face then WBC Heavyweight Champion “Terrible” Tim Witherspoon. You win the belt with a 12 round decision. Describe the ring walk and your feeling after you heard the announcer say, “And the new Heavyweight Champion of the World.” Walking into the ring, I knew I was fighting a guy who was young, strong and had some good talent. But, I had him down pretty much because I knew his style very well. My jab was better, and my right hand was thrown much straighter. When they announced my name as the winner, I have always said, “It was like a hundred pounds were lifted off my shoulders.” That was a blessing and hard to put in words how wonderful it was to me on that special night. BB: In your first defense, you face former WBA Heavyweight Champion Mike “Hercules” Weaver. In an exciting fight, you bomb him out in the eighth round. What are your recollections about the fight? Weaver was one tough cookie in the ring. I had a lot of respect for Weaver, not so much in the ring, but out of it because he was the former WBA Heavyweight Champion of the World. I knew when we signed to fight him; I had my work cut out. He was a good puncher who was always just a punch away from winning a fight as he did against “Big” John Tate. BB: In your second defense, you face Trevor Berbick who you drop a very close decision to for your belt. Looking back, do you feel the decision was fair? Also, what are your recollections of the fight? I don’t think the decision was fair. Not to make excuses, but I was really going through some personal problems at the time. It was difficult to deal with which had me coming in not at 100% in the ring and be able to do what I had done to Weaver in my previous title defense. The big deal at that time was King as I said earlier, had the top ten heavyweights at this time in boxing. He didn’t have Berbick or me under his control. Weeks before the fight, he tried to romance me as he does with any fighter and also was doing it to Trevor. Just about a week before the fight, he got to Berbick and he signed with him. I stayed independent and who knows if that affected the outcome of the fight or not? Hey, I can’t knock King for handling his business. But, he did give me another opportunity to fight for the belt when I went up against Mike Tyson. BB: On May 30, 1987, you face a young, seemingly indestructible “Iron” Mike Tyson for his WBC Belt that he took by destroying Trevor Berbick. For the first time in your career, you are knocked out. What are your observations of a young Tyson? Also, what do you recall about your performance that evening in Las Vegas? Mike was a real good fighter, but I also think at that time, he was vulnerable to get beat with the style that Buster Douglas ultimately used in beating him, which I thought I had as well. Before our fight, I was working with “Scrap Iron” Johnson and during sparring I exchanged right hands with my sparring partner and my right shoulder popped. I went to a chiropractor and they didn’t do much there for me. A few weeks before the fight, Angelo Dundee my trainer, told me not to take the fight, but I figured I could beat him with my jab which was pretty good. But, I found out in the fight, I could not stick and move which caused me to get caught and that was the end of the fight. BB: One thing I must commend you on in your career. You took on some tough guys and in your very next fight after being stopped by Tyson; you face a young Evander Holyfield. What are your recollections of this fight and did you feel Holyfield would go on to be a four time Heavyweight Champion of the World? At that time, I was very excited to get this fight because in Evander’s first fight at heavyweight, he fought “Quick” Tillis who I knocked out and he also beat. When I was preparing for Holyfield I was staying in Miami, Florida doing a lot of road work at the time and running in 10k marathons quite a bit. Angelo Dundee told me to slow down or it would take me legs from me. He was right and it did when I came to fight. Holyfield was young and fast, but not someone with great power. He was just very accurate and had great speed. But, yes, I could see his potential to go on and become the champion he has in boxing. BB: Two years later, you face another soon to be Heavyweight Champion of the World when you face Riddick “Big Daddy” Bowe. He stops you in the sixth round of the fight. Did you see the potential in him to be a Heavyweight Champion? When I fought Bowe, I can remember Rock Newman making a big deal about the fight because it was in front of his hometown crowd in Washington, DC. I knew once I got him hurt, I would have to take him out. And, sure enough in the fourth round, I hurt him, landing some good shots. Low and behold, the referee came in to stop the action because of some tape on my glove was loose. This gave Riddick a huge breather. After the action started back, I had expended my energy in that flurry trying to get rid of him. I knew he had a lot of potential because he was a true heavyweight that could punch, and had a decent jab which took him all the way to the Heavyweight Championship. BB: In a successful career that lasted almost 15 years, who do you feel was your toughest opponent and why? I would have to say Craig Payne for the IBO Heavyweight Title that I made a comeback for in 1992. He was about 280 LBS and 6’2. He had fought a lot of the big guys who were tough which make you tough in most cases. In fact, at that time, he was a sparring partner for George Foreman who kicked him out of his camp after about a week of sparring with him. Do you know how George never sat down between rounds? Well, Payne did the same thing for 12 rounds against me. That was intimidating to me, but it caused me to give it my all. BB: Were there any big fights that you wanted or were scheduled, but never materialized for you? In 1989, George Foreman had an agent in my area in Florida whose name slips me. Foreman had just fought Manuel Clay De Almedia who he stopped in three rounds. George’s agent came down to my training camp with a 1.5 million dollar contract for me to sign to fight George. It was on Good Friday. At that point, I was sparring when he came in the gym. My manager and I sat down with him and decided we would wait till after the holidays to sign and kind of play hard ball. Well, we waited till Monday and were invited to go to church with my then manager. While at church, he told our wife’s to go on ahead because he needed to talk to me. He sat down, and then said, “Pink sit down. I have something to tell you.” From there, he proceeded to tell me that Foreman’s agent had a heart attack the night before we were going to sign the contract for that huge money fight. His death ended the fight with George Foreman. The only other fight that I really wanted was against Larry Holmes who I felt ducked me. I had a big beef with Larry because of what he did to Ali in the ring and that in turn, made me want to do the same thing to him in the ring if given a shot to do so. That was in the past because today, I am very friendly with Larry Holmes. BB: If you had to pick one heavyweight from the year you turned professional in 1978 until today, who do you feel dominated your division and why? I would have to say Evander Holyfield. He fought and beat Riddick Bowe the second time around. Also, he beat Tyson twice, and I think he beat Lewis the second time around along with wins over Larry Holmes, George Foreman and Michael Moorer. I really have a lot of respect for him because he surrounded himself with good people, along with being a good business man himself. It’s an honor to have been in the ring with him and to this day, we still have functions we go to together with Angelo Dundee and Muhammad Ali. BB: Do you favor a mandatory retirement fund for all boxers and if so, how would you like to see it accomplished? I totally agree with the fact we need one for all boxers. So many boxers after the fight game are not fortunate to be physically, mentally or financially able to maintain their selves. It will be a very good thing to see it finally in place and I hope to be part of making it happen. BB: Now that you are retired from boxing, how do you want your many fans to remember you? I want them to remember me as a guy with a warm heart who is very giving and loves giving back to the world. In life, I want to help our children and I can do this through the blessings of God. BB: Finally, what is the saying you live your life by? “Do whatever it takes to get the job done.”
Pinklon wanted to add the following to our interview:
I am proud today to say, that after boxing, I have no problems with anyone from my fighting days. I am doing very well outside of the boxing ropes and have a very beautiful wife and children that I am very proud of. Finally, I really want to thank you “Bad” Brad for giving me a chance to be heard in my own words on RSR.
Pinklon THOMAS (Heavyweight) Professional Record: 51 fights; 43+ (34 KO's), 1=, 7- 1984-1986: W.B.C. Heavyweight - 1978 - + (Aug-29-1978, Seattle) Ken ARLT 6 + (Oct-31-1978, Lacey) Mustafa El Amin ko 3 - 1979 - + (Jan-8-1979, Seattle) Roger Braxton kot 7 + (Feb-20-1979, Seattle) Lew Lockwood ko 4 + (Apr-7-1979, Billings) Elmo Henderson ko 5 + (Apr-26-1979, Seattle) Foma Leota ko 2 + (May-23-1979, Las Vegas) Lee Holloman ko 2 + (Jun-7-1979, Portland) George Jerome ko 2 + (Jul-2-1979, Sedro) Willie Stoglin ko 2 + (Jul-18-1979, Las Vegas) Leroy Caldwell 10 + (Dec-14-1979, Atlantic City) Bobby Jordan kot 5 - 1980 - + (Feb-10-1980, Miami Beach) Jerry Williams kot 5 + (Jun-15-1980, Clarkston) Frank Brown ko 4 + (Aug-28-1980, Las Vegas) Jerry Williams 10 - 1981 - + (Apr-16-1981, Seattle) Lee Mitchell ko 1 + (Nov-25-1981, Philadelphia) Curtis Whitner ko 2 - 1982 - + (Jan-23-1982, Atlantic City) Johnny Warr 8 + (May-23-1982, Atlantic City) Luis Acosta kot 2 + (Jul-3-1982, Totowa) Jerry Williams kot 3 + (Aug-14-1982, Cleveland) James TILLIS kot 8 - 1983 - = (Jan-21-1983, Atlantic City) Gerrie COETZEE 10 + (Mar-26-1983, Chicago) Alfonso RATLIFF kot 10 + (Sep-24-1983, Totowa) Michael GREER ko 5 + (Oct-27-1983, Atlantic City) Leroy Boone 10 - 1984 - + (Jun-20-1984, Hato Rey) Bruce Grandham kot 5 + (Aug-31-1984, Las Vegas) Tim WITHERSPOON 12 (W.B.C., Heavyweight) - 1985 - + (Jun-15-1985, Las Vegas) Mike WEAVER kot 8 (W.B.C., Heavyweight) - 1986 - - (Mar-22-1986, Las Vegas) Trevor BERBICK 12 (W.B.C., Heavyweight) + (Oct-16-1986, Aguadilla) Narciso Maldonado ko 5 + (Nov-22-1986, Las Vegas) William Hosea kot 7 - 1987 - + (Mar-7-1987, Las Vegas) Danny Sutton kot 7 - (May-30-1987, Las Vegas) Mike TYSON kot 6 (World, Heavyweight) - 1988 - - (Dec-9-1988, Atlantic City) Evander HOLYFIELD retiring 8 - 1989: inactive - -1990 – + (May-23-1990, Auburn Hills) Curtis Isaac 10 - (Jun-12-1990, Fort Bragg) Mike HUNTER 10 - (Sep-7-1990, Washington) Riddick BOWE kot 6 - 1991 - - (Feb-19-1991, Kansas City) Tommy MORRISON retiring 2 - 1992 - + (May-29-1992) Herman Jackson ko 3 + (Jun-27-1992, Greenville) Danny Sutton 10 + (Jul-31-1992, Charlotte) Terry Miller ko 2 + (Aug-1-1992, Forest City) Bobby T. JONES kot 1 + (Aug-8-1992, Demopolis) James Smith ko 1 + (Aug-14-1992, Greenville) Danny WOFFORD 10 + (Aug-22-1992, Denver) Adolph Davis ko 1 + (Sep-5-1992, Daytona) Larry BEILFUSS ko 1 + (Sep-19-1992, Lumberton) Frankie HINES ko 1 + (Sep-24-1992, Charlotte) Kevin Nesbeth ko 1 + (Oct-2-1992, Sarasota) Dion BURGESS kot 5 + (Oct-22-1992, Virginia Beach) Mike Owens kot 3 + (Nov-14-1992, Greenville) Craig PAYNE 12 - 1993 - - (Jan-29-1993, Columbus) Lawrence CARTER kot 7]]>
159 2003-06-10 15:52:34 2003-06-10 23:52:34 open open reaching-the-mountain-top-up-close-and-personal-with-former-wbc-heavyweight-champion-pinklon-thomas publish 0 0 post 0 _edit_lock 1263799657 _edit_last 1 ratings_users 0 ratings_score 0 ratings_average 0
From the 72’ & 76’ Olympics Games to Top 1980’s Lightweight Contender – Davey Lee Armstrong Talks about his Boxing Career with RSR http://www.ringsidereport.com/?p=381 Mon, 17 Jan 2005 18:40:44 +0000 http://melwalker.net/?p=381 Interview by “Bad” Brad Berkwitt I was on the greatest (76’) US amateur boxing team the Olympics have ever seen. Not taking anything away from the 84’ Team, who won many Gold Medals, but they just didn’t have the tough guys like we faced”.--Davey Lee Armstrong
Throughout my many years of doing interviews with a diverse group of boxers from the new school to the old, I always derive pleasure from going back and finding fighters we just don’t hear about anymore. Interviewing Davey Lee Armstrong happened to be one of those gems you stumble across and once you do, you are moved by it and thrilled to bring a history lesson to the newer generation of boxing fans who think boxing started with Oscar De La Hoya. No slam on Oscar because he has done tons to move the sport forward, but there is a history in the sport that has been around for years before he laced up a boxing glove. The 1980s gave the children of the late 60’s, such as myself, lots of memorable fights along with many exciting fighters. Davey was one of those in the talent rich lightweight division. After going to the 72’ and 76’ Olympic Games, Armstrong turned pro in early 1980. He fought out of the now legendary Kronk Gym and had their leader, Emmanuel Steward, as not only his trainer, but also as his manager. Davey had success in a very short pro career, but never fought for a world title. He got out of boxing before making it to that level, but for very good reasons. The details of which, you will read in his exclusive interview with RSR.
BB: Let’s catch up the RSR readers on what you have been doing since you retired from boxing in 1983?After I retired from boxing in 1983, I went to work at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard as an Engineer Draftsman and did this for about five years. After that, I wanted to go back to College and attended Howard University in Washington, DC. I only went for one semester and missed my daughter who was back in Washington State, so I came back. I attended college in Washington State and obtained my Associates of Arts Degree. In 1991, I applied for and got a job with the City of Seattle as a Surveyor. I did this for a while and currently, still work for the City of Seattle, in Construction Management. BB: You were a world-class amateur boxer in the 1970’s and fought in the 72’ and 76’ Olympics, coming up just a little short in both. What was your amateur record? Also, looking back on this time, what are you fondest recollections of being an amateur and your biggest disappointments?My amateur record is not accurate, but if I had to guess, it was around 190 fights losing about 30. I started in 1966 and they just didn’t keep accurate records at that time. My fondest recollections were traveling the world, a really beautiful thing to do. I went to countries such as Russia, Cuba, Poland, Australia, New Zealand and many others. I was very proud that from 1972-1979, I either won the National AAU Tournament or came in second place in my weight class during those years. Before every fight, I would always call home and have my Mom say a prayer for me. I credit all of this good fortune to Jesus. In both Olympic tries, I lost in the Medal Round. Had I won either fight, I was sure to have one at least a Bronze Medal. Looking back, I think I lost the fight I had in the 72’ Olympics Medal Round, but in the 76’ games, I felt I won the fight to at least win the Bronze Medal.Honestly, I have no disappointments whatsoever and I am very grateful for my amateur career.
BB: I want to throw out names to you from your 76’ Olympic Boxing Team and would like you to give me the first thought that pops into your head.First off, I really enjoy this question and commenting on my teammates for RSR. 106: Louis Curtis:“Sharp little fighter and a good boxer”. 112: Leo Randolph:“The Heart of Lion” 119: Charles Mooney:“A Strong Soldier" 132: Howard Davis, JR.:“Finesse Fighter” 139:Ray Leonard:“All around boxer” 147:Clint Jackson:“All around boxer like Ray”(When Ray and Clint sparred, everybody stopped what they were doing to watch them go at it). 156: Charles Walker, JR.:“Finesse Fighter” 165: Michael Spinks: “This Man wanted to win” 178:Leon Spinks:“Just like his brother, he wanted to win” +178: John Tate: “A truly sweet man” God rest his soul. BB: You turned professional on March 28, 1980 with a six round decision over Gil Hernandez. Did you find your transition from the amateurs to the pros difficult? I sure did. The number of rounds was tough because I was used to going only three rounds and at times, it was a very difficult task. I would do my roadwork based on the length of my upcoming fight so I would have endurance to get through the rounds. BB: In your first nine fights, you come up with a win in each of them, but in your tenth fight, on December 13, 1980, Agustin Caballero knocked you out in the fourth round. What are your recollections of this fight, and what did it change in you as fighter after getting knocked out for the first time as a professional? Looking back, Caballero really didn’t look like a lightweight when I stood across from him in the ring. He was a last minute replacement and looked like a middleweight. He was a very strong puncher and caught me with a punch I didn’t see and that was the very first time I was knocked out as either an amateur or professional fighter. It really didn’t discourage me because any fighter can get caught with a punch they don’t see. BB: After your knockout loss to Caballero, you reel off 10 wins back to back. In your 18th fight on December 17, 1981, you face tough as nails Arturo Leon who extends you the 10 round distance, with you winning a decision. What are your recollections of this fight? He was very tough and had I never seen him fight. Leon made every round tough so it was a good win for me to have on my professional record. BB: After the Leon fight, you reel off five more wins and on October 10, 1982, you drop a ten round decision to a very solid boxer named Greg Coverson. What are your recollections of this fight and how would you rate Coverson? I remember this fight well because we both really came to fight. As you know, I was out of the Kronk Gym at the time and in my hometown. Neither of these facts stopped Coverson from coming out and fighting me very hard. It was a close fight and think the decision was fair by going to Greg. Coverson was a highly skilled boxer and our fight was probably one of his best performances in my opinion. BB: On June 9, 1983, you face tough Canadian Nicky Furlano and take the decision over 12 rounds. What do you recall about this fight and how would you rate Furlano, who a little over one year later, would go on to face then IBF Junior Welterweight Champion Aaron “The Hawk” Pryor, to whom he dropped a 15 round decision? It was for a title, but the name of it slips me. It was in Furlano’s hometown up in Canada and Nicky really fought hard and didn’t want to lose. He really came on strong at the end of the fight. Furlano was a decent fighter. BB: A little over a month after the Furlano fight, you face Steve Romero and drop a ten round decision. At this time you have only been a professional for a little over three years, but you retired from boxing. You had a solid record with some good wins and hadn’t challenged for a world title as of yet, but you called it a day. What made you retire so early into your pro career and without ever giving yourself a chance to fight for a world title? Looking back on this fight, I felt I won it and there was talk that in between rounds, they slipped Romero some type of drug. I had him almost out in one round and the next; he was like an animal in there. I started to see myself not take my boxing career as seriously as I had before. Knowing this, I wanted to keep my losses low like they were. Since I was starting to lose the hunger to train, that was a direct signal to me that the end was near for my boxing career. Because of this, I decided to get out at that time in my boxing career. BB: In your opinion, what was your best performance as a professional and why? I would say the fight with Greg Coverson. Even though I lost, I was known as boxer, but in this fight, I also slugged it out with Greg, which gave the fans a great fight. BB: At what point of your boxing career did you team up with Kronk Gym Legend and trainer Emmanuel Steward? What was it like working with him at that time? I think I teamed up with Emmanuel in 1981. Mr. Steward was a really good trainer and manager who really cared for me and I have nothing bad to say about him. On many occasions, he showed a lot of emotions towards me, which I appreciated. I can tell you this about the Kronk Gym, at that time, it was one tough place. The sparring we had with guys like Tommy Hearns, Hilmer Kenty, the late Dujuan Johnson and others were actually tougher than many of our professional fights were. BB: Do you favor a mandatory retirement fund for all boxers and if so, how would you like to see it accomplished? Yes, I do. It really needs to be established and each fighter should pay something into as well as the promoters who are getting rich on the fighters. A fighter would have to be in boxing for a minimum of five years in my opinion to get something out of it once they retired. BB: Now that you have been out of boxing for many years, how would you like your fans to remember you? I would like my fans to remember me as a fair fighter who always conducted himself in a positive manner. BB: Finally, what is the saying you live your life by? Jesus Christ is always in front of me” Davey wanted to add this to our interview: I would like to say to any of my teammates from the 1976 Olympic Team that may be reading this; I would love to get together with all of you because we were on the greatest US amateur boxing team the Olympics have ever seen. Not taking anything away from the 84’ Team, who won many Gold Medals, but they just didn’t have the tough guys like we faced. Davey Lee Armstrong Division: Lightweight Professional Record: 24-3, 14 KO’s Date Opponent Location Result 1980-03-28 Gil Hernandez Tacoma, USA W PTS 6 1980-05-04 Edmundo Arellano Seattle, USA W TKO 1 1980-06-19 Ray Saldivar Tacoma, USA W KO 3 1980-08-02 Miguel Flores Detroit, USA W KO 1 1980-08-09 Eric Bonilla Spokane, USA W KO 2 1980-08-29 Spencer Wilson Miami Beach, USA W KO 1 1980-09-20 Ray Gonzalez San Juan, Puerto Rico W KO 4 1980-10-24 Norberto Figueroa Uniondale, USA W PTS 8 1980-11-08 Eddie Murray Detroit, USA W KO 2 1980-12-13 Agustin Caballero Miami, USA L KO 4 1981-01-29 Daniel Rivera Detroit, USA W KO 7 1981-03-13 Tom Crowley Lansing, USA W PTS 10 1981-06-06 Danny Favella Detroit, USA W KO 1 1981-08-22 Willie Floyd McIntosh Traverse City, USA W KO 3 1981-09-29 Fili Ramirez Phoenix, USA W PTS 10 1981-10-13 Rosendo Ramirez Phoenix, USA W PTS 10 1981-11-17 Ernesto Herrera Phoenix, USA W UD 10 1981-12-17 Arturo Leon Phoenix, USA W PTS 12 1982-02-18 Mario Rodriguez Phoenix, USA W PTS 10 1982-05-06 Roland Avila Los Angeles, USA W KO 6 1982-06-22 Fili Ramirez Phoenix, USA W KO 3 1982-08-27 Richard Rozelle Detroit, USA W KO 2 1982-09-24 Donald Alston Crystal City, USA W KO 5 1982-10-10 Greg Coverson Detroit, USA L PTS 10 1983-03-19 Rosendo Ramirez Reno, USA W PTS 10 1983-06-09 Nick Furlano Toronto, Canada W PTS 12 NABF Lightweight Title 1983-07-22 Steve Romero San Jose, USA L PTS 10

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381 2005-01-17 10:40:44 2005-01-17 18:40:44 open open from-the-72%e2%80%99-76%e2%80%99-olympics-games-to-top-1980%e2%80%99s-lightweight-contender-%e2%80%93-davey-lee-armstrong-talks-about-his-boxing-career-with-rsr publish 0 0 post 0 _edit_lock 1263870562 _edit_last 5 ratings_users 0 ratings_score 0 ratings_average 0
RSR Goes Down Memory Lane with former WBA Heavyweight Champion, Tony “TNT” Tubbs http://www.ringsidereport.com/?p=388 Tue, 01 Nov 2005 19:17:23 +0000 http://melwalker.net/?p=388 Interview by "Bad" Brad Berkwitt “No matter what, I will always be known as a World Heavyweight Champion from my win over Greg Page for the WBA title.”--Tony “TNT” Tubbs Former WBA Heavyweight Champion of the World, Tony “TNT” Tubbs, turned pro in March of 1980. The heavyweight division was endearing itself to the fact, that Muhammad Ali was no longer going to be around, and Larry Holmes two years early succeeded Ali to the throne whether the boxing public liked it or not. Tubbs would fight his way up the ranks of the heavyweight division that was deep with contenders, tough journeymen and solid Heavyweight Champions in Holmes (WBC) along with Mike Weaver the WBA Champ. In fact, with all the rumblings in many boxing columns that there is nothing really to the heavyweight ranks today, pick up a tape or two on the heavyweights from Tubbs’ era and find out for yourself. Tubbs cemented his name in the record books on April 29, 1985 when he won a 15 round decision over then WBA Heavyweight Champion, Greg Page. Tubbs would lose his title in his first defense a little over eight months later to “Terrible” Tim Witherspoon, via a 15 round close majority decision that many felt at ringside he had won. Tubbs would face battles outside of the ring with a drug addiction which turned out to be his toughest opponent. From all accounts, including his own, he is clean today and deals with his life one day at a time through his deep spirituality. BB: Last month, you put your name back on the boxing world’s mind when you beat young prospect Brian Minto. The fight was close on the cards, but from all accounts, your experience helped you prevail. How would you judge your performance and what do you need to work on still? Also, off of this win, have any fights been kicked around for your next match? That actually was the second fight I had back in 2004 that I won. If I had to do it all over again, I would have allowed myself more time to train for the fight. I really didn’t have any sparring and actually, only had four rounds for the Minto fight with Rob Calloway. I was doing everything else to prepare myself with solid bag work and running quite a bit. Going into the Minto fight and not being at 100%, I knew all I could do is go on my ability. When I reviewed the tape on Minto, I could see the kid was still green. I thought if I could not beat Minto, then my comeback was not meant to be. With all of these factors, I would judge my performance as a good, but with all of the right tangibles on my side, I will be much better in future bouts. The things I need to work on are getting my weight down which I am working on, and get my sharpness back which will come from more sparring. I would love to get into a fighter’s trainer camp to spar and that will help me get my timing back quickly. I really thought after this fight, the phone would ring. My rationale on this is that most of the upcoming young fighters would want to face me so if they did beat me, they had a recognized name on their records in the win column. Being in boxing for almost 25 years, I am totally honest with myself and I would be willing to even take a six round fight, just to stay busy so I can get my weight off quicker and, continue to get my sharpness back. BB: Besides for your return to boxing, what are you doing with yourself today? Totally straight up with you, outside of boxing, I don’t know how to make it. My entire life from a kid has been in boxing. I have tried to be a trainer and worked with different kids, but so many times in boxing, you see them leave you if they make it or they wind up going to jail. It’s sad because you put your heart into working and training them, for them to just up and leave you. If I can make it back into the top ten, I can make a little money and maybe even get a title shot. BB: It’s no secret that in the past, you had a documented drug problem, but from all accounts, it seems you have gotten your life back on track. What do you attribute your finally defeating, what may have been your toughest opponent? Also, what message can you send to other boxers and every day people who may read this interview about getting clean? I have to first thank God almighty for helping me defeat this terrible drug problem I had. Over the last several years, I had fought my drug demons before, beat them, but slid back again. Now, I want to prove to myself, not the world, that I can stay clean and maybe, do something in this comeback. That keeps me going everyday. If I leave boxing or get around the old crowd, I will fall backwards again, and I don’t want that. I moved all the way out to Cedar Rapids, Iowa to ensure I will not be around the wrong crowds anymore. Clint Calkins who is my best friend and now my manager, is helping me daily. We are a team! My message would be fall upon your knees and pray. Each individual has their own way of staying clean. I was a fighter, and to fight 15 rounds against another heavyweight, you would think, it would be no problem to beat a drug addiction. I am here to tell you, this drug thing will kill you! To the folks out there struggling with a drug problem, stay focused and believe that God can give you the strength to beat your demons. BB: You turned professional on June 14, 1980. It was at the end of the Muhammad Ali era, and the start of another with a dominant champion in Larry Holmes. As a young man, what were your thoughts on the heavyweight division at that time? At that time, I admired Larry Holmes and Muhammad Ali gave me my first black eye. I was on Ali’s team and in fact, when I turned professional, he bought my Mother a house. I thought the division was very solid with contenders up and down the ranks that could be a champion on any given night. My jab is what I got from Holmes and from Ali, my speed. I knew after working with guys like Mike Weaver, Leroy Jones, and Ken Norton to name just a few and hold my own, I was going to for sure make move up the ranks. BB: Right out the box, you knock out Bruce Scott in the first round in your pro debut. You then proceed to knock out many of the opponents in front of you over your next several fights. On October 4, 1981, you face a powerhouse puncher in the late Jeff Sims out of Miami. Jeff was always a guy that if he didn’t get you out with that huge power was out of gas by the third round. All of this didn’t