Pinklon Thomas

Pinklon Thomas was a professional boxer who competed from 1978 to 1993. Born on February 10, 1958, in Pontiac, Michigan, he had a distinctive style, known for his pink boxing trunks and powerful left jab. Thomas turned professional after just three amateur fights and went onto becoming known as the first 'Centennial Champion' (1886-1986). He had a successful career, fighting a total of 51 times, boasting a record of 43-7-1, which included 34 knockout wins and five losses via knockout, as well as one world title win.

Thomas made his professional boxing debut against Ken Arlt on August 29, 1978, at the age of 20, defeating him via a 6 round split-decision. He went on to win the next 19 consecutive fights after his debut, with 17 of these wins coming via stoppage. Among his notable victories are fights against Mike Weaver, Kevin Nesbitt, Dion Burgess, Frankie Hines, and Larry Beilfuss.

Thomas had his first world title fight at the age of 26 on August 31, 1984, against Tim Witherspoon for the heavyweight WBC title. After a hard-fought 12 rounds, he defeated Witherspoon via a majority decision, becoming the heavyweight champion of the world. He successfully defended his WBC title against ex-champion Mike Weaver on June 15, 1985, winning the fight via 8th round TKO.

Despite his successes, Thomas had seven losses in his professional boxing career, two of which were in title bouts, and five in non-title bouts. He suffered his first loss against Trevor Berbick via a 12 round unanimous decision on March 22, 1986, which ended his 26-fight win streak. He suffered his fifth loss in his last professional fight on January 29, 1993, where he lost to Lawrence Carter via a 7th round TKO.

Thomas had his first world title fight at the age of 26, and some of his best fights include wins over Mike Weaver, Tim Witherspoon, Mike Owens, Kevin Nesbitt, Dion Burgess, Frankie Hines, and Larry Beilfuss. Thomas has won one world title at heavyweight, becoming the WBC heavyweight world champion.

Despite his successes, Thomas had seven losses in his professional boxing career, two of which were in title bouts, and five in non-title bouts. He suffered his first loss against Trevor Berbick via a 12 round unanimous decision on March 22, 1986, which ended his 26-fight win streak. He suffered his fifth loss in his last professional fight on January 29, 1993, where he lost to Lawrence Carter via a 7th round TKO.

After losing his world title to Trevor Berbick in March of 1986, he bounced back, with three KO wins, setting himself up for a May 1987 challenge to WBC and WBA Heavyweight champion Mike Tyson. Although Thomas allegedly took the fight with a serious shoulder injury, he did out-jab Tyson. After a long break for a torn glove, Tyson knocked Thomas out with a brutal fifteen-punch salvo, knocking the extremely durable Thomas down for the first and last time in his lengthy career.

Thomas returned in 1988 to face Evander Holyfield after taking a 19-month layoff. However, in the match, Thomas looked rusty as he was outmatched over 7 rounds, after which he was pulled out of his corner. Long-time trainer Angelo Dundee advised Thomas to retire and stopped working with him.

Thomas attempted one final comeback in 1992, winning twelve fights before outpointing Craig Payne. In his final fight in January 1993, he was upset by journeyman "Poncho" Carter. A comeback fight in 1999 with old foe Tim Witherspoon wouldn't take place because a fight with Larry Holmes for the winner could not be confirmed.

After his illustrious career as a professional boxer, Thomas now has a foundation called Project P.I.N.K. (Pride in Neighborhood Kids), and is a motivational speaker, using his career as an inspiration.

The late Pinklon Thomas was a top-ranked heavyweight boxer in his time, standing at 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) tall and weighing in at the heavyweight class. He fought a total of 51 times during his professional career and won 43 of those bouts, including 34 by knockout. Pink was known for his powerful left jab, which earned him acclaim in the sport. Born on February 10, 1958, in Pontiac, Michigan, Pinklon Thomas paved his way to be known as one of the greatest fighters of his time.

His career as a professional boxer spanned over 14 years, from 1978 to 1993. Thomas made his professional debut against Ken Arlt on August 29, 1978, at the age of 20, defeating him via a 6 round split-decision. With Thomas's impressive win against Ken Arlt and 19 more consecutive wins following his debut, he became boxing's first 'Centennial Champion' (1886-1986).

In 1984, Thomas earned his chance to fight for his first world title after 25 professional fights; he fought Tim Witherspoon for the heavyweight WBC title. After a tough fight, Thomas defeated Witherspoon via a 12 round majority decision to become the WBC heavyweight champion of the world at the young age of 26. Pinklon Thomas successfully defended his WBC title against ex-champion Mike Weaver on June 15, 1985, winning the fight via 8th round TKO.

After a string of victories, he suffered seven losses in his professional career, two of which were in title bouts, and five in non-title bouts. One of his most notable losses is against Trevor Berbick via a 12 round unanimous decision on March 22, 1986, which ended his 26-fight win streak. He suffered his fifth loss in his last professional fight on January 29, 1993, in a non-title bout against Lawrence Carter.

Some of the most notable victories of Thomas’s career include wins over Mike Weaver, Tim Witherspoon, Mike Owens, Kevin Nesbitt, Dion Burgess, Frankie Hines, and Larry Beilfuss. His impressive career record of 43-7-1, which included 34 knockout wins, helped cement his position as a professional heavyweight boxing legend.

Thomas had his final professional fight on January 29, 1993, in a non-title bout against Lawrence Carter, which he lost via KO in the seventh round. After his retirement from professional boxing, Thomas established the Project P.I.N.K. (P

Pinklon Thomas Fight Record