Tony Tubbs

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Tony Tubbs was the World Boxing Association Heavyweight champion from 1985 to 1986.

One of the Lost Generation of heavyweights that won titles in the 1980s, Tubbs had more ability than many of his contemperaries though he certainly did not rank with Larry Holmes or Mike Tyson as the best of that troubled decade. Tubbs had a severe drug and discipline problem which kept him from reaching his full potential. He was slated to go to the Olympics in 1980 but the boycott with the Soviets put a stop to his hopes.

Tony "TNT" Tubbs came from Cincinnati and with his slick boxing skills moved up the ranks fairly quickly after his debut in 1980. On his way up, Tubbs defeated his fellow prospect Clarence Hill despite being knocked down in the first round. A quality win over a much faded former Ali nemesis, Jimmy Young, followed in 1983. A victory over future WBA champ James "Bonecrusher" Smith ensured Tubbs a shot at the WBA title. On April 29, 1985, Tubbs defeated champion Greg Page by unanimous decision to win the WBA title.

Tubbs lost the belt to "Terrible" Tim Witherspoon by majority decision in his first defense on January 17, 1986. Besides drug problems, Tubbs was now putting on weight and getting out of shape. While he won three in a row to earn a shot at Mike Tyson who had the unifed title, Tubbs was taken out in two by Tyson on March 21, 1988. Despite being offered $250,000 to get in shape, Tubbs failed to do so and American viewers were left with images of a flabby former champ being taken out quickly by Iron Mike.

Tubbs continued to fight reeling off three more wins over token opposition before defeating Orlin Norris in November 1989 for the NABF title. However Tubbs failed a drug test and was stripped of the title and the fight was called a no contest. Tubbs reeled off two more meaningless wins before fighting hot undefeated prospect Riddick Bowe on March 20, 1991. Tubbs made Bowe look bad and lost a very controversial decision. He then took a year off before winning another forgettable win before being taken out in one round by journeyman Lionel Butler. Tubbs quickly bounced back with quality wins over once heralded prospect (and future WBA champ) Bruce Selden, veteran Jesse Feguson and prospect Alex Zolkin. Then he was taken out in 1 by journeyman Jesse Ellis.

Inconsistencies plagued Tubbs as he continued to fight. Tubbs won four fights in one night to win the "People's Choice Heavyweight Tournament" including victories over Olympic gold medalist Tyrell Biggs and cagey vet Jose Ribalta. Tubbs won a shot at a fringe heavyweight belt but lost to Jimmy Thunder. He got a rematch with Zolkin for the NABF title but lost by majority decision. He also lost by KO to Brian Nielsen.

From 1998 until 2001, Tubbs was inactive.

His most recent comeback has been, once again, inconsistent. Tubbs lost to veteran Gilbert Mendoza and was taken out by Abraham Okine. But Tubbs also defeated undefeated prospect Brian Minto to win the West Virginia heavyweight title. Since his last loss, he has reeled off 4 wins in a row.

His current record is 46-10-0 with 25 wins coming by way of knockout. His little brother Nate Tubbs also was a boxer but without his brother's skills.

Tubbs continues to fight at age 47. He says he is clean and he has been impressive in his last four fights. He is still a master boxer. But Tubbs is an odd spot. He is too dangerous to fight prospects and contenders (as his victory over Minto shows) since if they beat him... well, they beat a 47 year old man. But Tubbs keeps fighting. He owes a great deal of child support. Will Tubbs end up wrecked like Greg Page, another ex champ who fought too long ? Will Tubbs end up scoring another upset ? Either way "TNT" continues to fight and is starting to crack the top 100s of the computer rankings.

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