05/30/1987 - IBF

Tony Tucker (born December 27, 1958) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1980 to 1998. He held the IBF heavyweight title in 1987, reigning for just 64 days — the shortest in heavyweight history. He referred to himself as the “invisible champion” because he received little public attention during his reign.

Tucker had a successful amateur career, winning the 1979 U.S. National Championships, the World Cup, and Pan American Games at light heavyweight. He turned professional in 1980. Early in his pro career, he suffered injuries that slowed his rise, but by the mid-1980s he rebuilt momentum with key wins, including over Eddie “The Animal” Lopez and Jimmy Young.

In 1986, Tucker defeated James “Broad-Axe” Broad to win the USBA title and became the IBF’s top contender. In early 1987, the IBF stripped Michael Spinks for refusing to face Tucker. Tucker then fought Buster Douglas for the vacant IBF heavyweight title on May 30, 1987, winning by 10th-round TKO.

On August 1, 1987, Tucker faced WBA and WBC champion Mike Tyson in the heavyweight unification final. Despite injuring his right hand, he gave Tyson one of his tougher early fights before losing by unanimous decision. His 64-day reign remains the shortest of any heavyweight champion.

Tucker returned in the early 1990s, winning the NABF belt and earning a title shot against Lennox Lewis in 1993. Lewis won by unanimous decision, knocking Tucker down twice — the first knockdowns of Tucker’s career.

In 1995, George Foreman refused to fight Tucker, leading the WBA to strip Foreman and order Tucker to face Bruce Seldon for the vacant title. Seldon won by TKO after Tucker’s eye swelled shut. Tucker continued fighting until 1998, challenging unsuccessfully for the WBO and NABF titles in his later years.