04/29/1985 - Tony Tubbs

Tony Tubbs (born February 15, 1958) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1980 to 2006. He held the WBA heavyweight title from 1985 to 1986.

Amateur Career

Tubbs had an extensive amateur career, recording 240 wins in 253 bouts, mostly as a heavyweight.

In 1976, he faced future Soviet champion Igor Vysotsky, losing by second-round knockout. Two years later, he reached the World Cup quarterfinals, becoming the only fighter to go the distance with Cuban legend Teófilo Stevenson.

In 1979, Tubbs enjoyed a breakthrough year. He trained with the Muhammad Ali Amateur Boxing Team, won the National AAU Heavyweight Championship by beating Mitch Green and Greg Page, and claimed the AIBA World Cup title. He also notched wins over top international opponents, including Yevgeni Gorstkov, Pyotr Zayev, and Marvis Frazier, avenging a previous defeat to Frazier.

Tubbs was set to compete at the 1980 Moscow Olympics, but the U.S. boycott prevented his participation. He also served as a sparring partner for Muhammad Ali ahead of Ali’s rematch with Leon Spinks.