Mike Weaver (boxer)


Michael Dwayne "Mike" Weaver is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1972 to 2000, and held the WBA heavyweight title from 1980 to 1982.

Marines

Weaver was a member of the United States Marine Corps from 1968 to 1971, and went to Vietnam. During this time he started amateur boxing and training, and notably fought Duane Bobick, a future Navy amateur star. In a fight where both men were down, Weaver was outpointed.

Professional career

Early years

By 1972 Weaver was living and training in California, and took up professional boxing. In his early career, Weaver was considered a journeyman opponent. He was frequently brought in on short notice and overmatched against more experienced and developed contenders, and used as a sparring partner for Muhammad Ali and Ken Norton, who famously nicknamed him "Hercules" due to his top developed muscle definition.
However, after a few losses early on to tough fringe contenders like Howard Smith and even to journeyman Larry Frazier, Weaver showed signs of improvement. He fought both Bobick brothers, losing a debatable 10 round decicison to Rodney, and being stopped on a cut in the 7th to old amateur rival Duane but after decking him.
In 1976 Weaver beat well regarded veteran Jody Ballard, and in 1978 lost two close decisions. First to contender Stan Ward for the California State Heavyweight title, and then to Leroy Jones for the NABF heavyweight title.

Heavyweight contender

In late 1978 Weaver got a new team and manager and reeled off five straight knockouts, two of which came over top ranked opponents. In October 1978 he came off the floor to knock out hard hitting Colombian Bernardo Mercado in 5, and in January 1979 knocked out hulking old foe Stan Ward in 9 to win the USBA heavyweight title.

WBC heavyweight title challenge against Larry Holmes

These wins helped get him a high-profile World title fight with reigning and undefeated WBC champion Larry Holmes in New York's Madison Square Garden in June 1979. New cable channel HBO bought the rights to the fight as Weaver was so lowly-regarded the fight was seen as a mismatch and the networks didn't want anything to do with it.
But Weaver proved far better than expected, however, and gave Holmes a really tough battle. Finally Holmes would rally with that great champion reserve by decking Weaver with sharp uppercut in the 11th and stopping him on his feet in the 12th.

USBA heavyweight title contest

Although Weaver had lost, his surprise showing had made him a deserved high-profile name. Later in the year he was back, retaining his USBA belt with a 12-round decision over Scott LeDoux whom he outboxed rather than slugged with. Using his jab a lot gaining complimentary reviews generally.

WBA heavyweight champion

In March 1980 fought John Tate for the WBA title, in Tate's backyard of Knoxville, Tennessee. Tate was an amateur star from the 1976 Olympic team. As a pro he had put together a 20-0 record and won the vacant WBA title by decisioning South African Gerrie Coetzee over fifteen rounds, in front of 86,000 hostile fans in Pretoria, South Africa.
Weaver vs. Tate produced one of the divisions finest knockouts ever. The taller Tate dominated Weaver for all the first 10 rounds. But then with sheer determination a battered Weaver suddenly turned it around, pushing Tate backward. But he'd left it too late, according to the commentators, as only 5 rounds remained and Tate was expected to resume his lead. However, with only 40 seconds left in the 15th round, Weaver caught Tate bouncing off the ropes towards him with a devastating left hook. It dropped Tate to the canvas out cold for well over a minute. Press pictures showed Tate sound asleep whilst Weaver did a handstand alongside to celebrate.
In October 1980 Weaver made his first defense, traveling to Sun City, South Africa, to fight Gerrie Coetzee. Weaver was hurt and nearly knocked down in the 8th round but rallied down the stretch and knocked Coetzee out in the 13th round. Coetzee, a good boxer/puncher, had never previously been down, amateur or pro.
In 1981 Weaver outpointed the spoiler James "Quick" Tillis over 15 rounds in Chicago to retain his title after a year's inactivity.

Losing the title to Michael Dokes; controversy

After another year's inactivity, Weaver took on highly regarded Michael Dokes in Las Vegas, December 10, 1982. Dokes came out fast and dropped Weaver inside the opening minute. As Weaver covered up on the ropes and Dokes missed a few swings, referee Joey Curtis stopped the fight after 1:03 had passed and awarded Dokes the victory by technical knockout. This caused controversy due to the timing of the stoppage, and many in the arena accused the fight of being fixed.
However, four weeks earlier, the fatal fight between Ray Mancini and Duk Koo Kim at Caesars' Palace had taken place where Kim died as a result of a brain injury. On the morning of the fight, Nevada State Athletic Commission officials warned all officials participating in the card to protect the health of the boxers in order to avoid another potential fight-related fatality, which Curtis responded, "Everybody has Duk Koo Kim in the back of his mind," referring to the November 13 fight, as Dr. Lonnie Hammargren, a doctor who had performed brain surgery in a futile attempt to save Kim, attended the meeting.
Weaver was given a rematch with Dokes on May 20, 1983, which ended in a 15-round majority draw; judge Jerry Roth gave Dokes a four-point victory while judges Harold Lederman and Larry Hazzard had it even.

Further title challenges and later career

In June 1985 Weaver took on Pinklon Thomas, who then held the WBC title. Weaver lost by eighth-round knockout. This would be Weaver's last title challenge although a notable 2nd-round KO of Carl "The Truth" Williams a skilled boxer would follow the defeat to Thomas. Weaver continued to fight for another 15 years. His career ended at the age of 49 with a sixth-round KO rematch loss to Larry Holmes.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
60Loss41–18–1 Larry HolmesTKO6, 0:45Nov 17, 2000 Coast Coliseum, Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S.
59Loss41–17–1 Melvin FosterTKO9 Aug 8, 1998 Spirit Lake, North Dakota, U.S.
58Win41–16–1 Derrick RyalsUD10Mar 27, 1996 Warner Center Marriott, Woodland Hills, California, U.S.
57Win40–16–1 George O'MaraUD12Jun 21, 1995 Warner Center Marriott, Woodland Hills, California, U.S.Retained NBA heavyweight title
56Win39–16–1 Bill CorriganRTD2, 3:00Sep 17, 1994 Pavilhão do Colégio D. Bosco, Macau, SARWon vacant NBA heavyweight title
55Win38–16–1 Ladislao MijangosKO2, 1:50Jun 6, 1994 Casino Magic, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, U.S.Won vacant International Boxing Authority heavyweight title
54Win37–16–1 Bert CooperUD10Feb 27, 1993 Capital Indoor Stadium, Beijing, ChinaNBA heavyweight title
53Win36–16–1 Mike GansKO5 Nov 17, 1992 Bakersfield, California, U.S.
52Loss35–16–1 Lennox LewisKO6, 1:05Jul 12, 1991 Caesars Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada, U.S.
51Win35–15–1 Dion BurgessTKO5, 2:58Jul 18, 1990 Varsity Arena, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
50Loss34–15–1 James SmithUD12Apr 4, 1990 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.Lost WBA Americas heavyweight title
49Win34–14–1 Philipp BrownSD12Jul 27, 1989 Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.Retained WBA Americas heavyweight title
48Win33–14–1 Lionel WashingtonTKO1, 1:48May 1, 1989 Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.For vacant WBA Americas heavyweight title
47Win32–14–1 Bobby CrabtreeKO3, 2:58Jan 31, 1989 Country Club, Reseda, California, U.S.
46Loss31–14–1 Johnny DuPlooyKO2 Apr 30, 1988 Superbowl, Sun City, Bophuthatswana
45Win31–13–1 Johnny DuPlooy6 Nov 28, 1987 Rand Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa
44Win30–13–1 James PritchardTKO6, 2:30Aug 24, 1987 Louisville Gardens, Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
43Win29–13–1 David JacoKO2 Jul 29, 1987 Yaounde, Cameroon
42Loss28–13–1 Donovan Ruddock10Aug 23, 1986 Cumberland County Memorial Auditorium, Fayetteville, North Carolina, U.S.
41Loss28–12–1 James SmithTKO1, 2:29Apr 5, 1986 Coliseum, Colonie, New York, U.S.
40Win28–11–1 Carl WilliamsTKO2, 2:37Feb 16, 1986 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, U.S.
39Loss27–11–1 Pinklon ThomasTKO8, 1:42Jun 15, 1985 Riviera, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.For WBC heavyweight title
38Win27–10–1 Tony Anthony1, 3:00Nov 9, 1984 Riviera, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.Anthony disqualified for hitting after the bell
37Win26–10–1 Billy Joe ThomasTKO7, 1:16Aug 31, 1984 Riviera, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.
36Win25–10–1 Stan WardTKO9 Sep 30, 1983 The Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
35Draw24–10–1 Michael Dokes15May 20, 1983 Dunes, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.For WBA heavyweight title
34Loss24–10 Michael DokesTKO1, 1:03Dec 10, 1982 Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.Lost WBA heavyweight title
33Win24–9 James TillisUD15Oct 3, 1981 Horizon, Rosemont, Illinois, U.S.Retained WBA heavyweight title
32Win23–9 Gerrie CoetzeeTKO13, 1:49Oct 25, 1980 Superbowl, Sun City, BophuthatswanaRetained WBA heavyweight title
31Win22–9 John TateKO15, 2:15Mar 31, 1980 Stokely Athletic Center, Knoxville, Tennessee, U.S.Won WBA heavyweight title
30Win21–9 Scott LeDouxUD12Nov 24, 1979 Metropolitan Sports Center, Bloomington, Minnesota, U.S.Retained USBA heavyweight title
29Win20–9 Harry TerrellKO4, 2:14Sep 22, 1979 Memorial Sports Arena, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
28Loss19–9 Larry HolmesTKO12, 0:44Jun 22, 1979 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.For WBC heavyweight title
27Win19–8 Oliver PhilippsKO4, 1:52Mar 2, 1979 Sahara, Reno, Nevada, U.S.
26Win18–8 Stan WardRTD9, 0:01Jan 18, 1979 Sahara Hotel and Casino, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.Won vacant USBA heavyweight title
25Win17–8 Abdul KhanKO2, 2:33Dec 5, 1978 Sahara, Reno, Nevada, U.S.
24Win16–8 Bernardo MercadoTKO5 Oct 22, 1978 Sahara, Reno, Nevada, U.S.Won vacant Nevada heavyweight title
23Win15–8 Mike CreelKO2, 1:44Sep 17, 1978 Sahara, Reno, Nevada, U.S.
22Loss14–8 Leroy JonesUD12Aug 19, 1978 Sahara Hotel and Casino, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.For vacant NABF heavyweight title
21Loss14–7 Stan WardUD12Jan 24, 1978 Sacramento, California, U.S.For vacant California heavyweight title
20Win14–6 Pedro LovellUD10Nov 15, 1977 Convention Center, Anaheim, California, U.S.
19Win13–6 Dave MartinezKO1 Sep 13, 1977 Sports Arena, Anchorage, Alaska, U.S.
18Win12–6 Bill SharkeyMD10Apr 1, 1977 Beacon Theatre, New York City, New York, U.S.
17Win11–6 Dwain BondsKO8, 2:58Jan 19, 1977 Sahara Hotel and Casino, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.
16Win10–6 Fonomanu Young SekonaKO6 Nov 4, 1976 Circle Star Theater, San Carlos, California, U.S.
15Win9–6 Jody Ballard10Jul 14, 1976 The Aladdin, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
14Win8–6 Tony DoyleTKO9, 2:13Jun 27, 1975 Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S.
13Win7–6 Mani VakaPTS10Aug 24, 1974 Neal S. Blaisdell Center, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
12Loss6–6 Duane BobickTKO7 Jul 26, 1974 Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S.
11Win6–5 Orville QuallsKO2, 0:57May 31, 1974 Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S.
10Loss5–5 Rodney Bobick10Mar 22, 1974 Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S.
9Win5–4 Ellis McKinleyPTS6Feb 21, 1974 Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
8Loss4–4 Larry FrazierKO2, 2:15Dec 11, 1973 Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, U.S.
7Win4–3 Bob SwoopesKO1 Nov 9, 1973 San Diego, California, U.S.
6Win3–3 Tony PuluKO2 Oct 11, 1973 Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
5Win2–3 Lyn MartinKO1, 1:30Sep 10, 1973 The Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
4Loss1–3 Billy Ryan2, 1:55Feb 28, 1973 Warnors Theatre, Fresno, California, U.S.
3Win1–2 Carlos LopezPTS5Feb 2, 1973 San Bernardino Arena, San Bernardino, California, U.S.
2Loss0–2 Howard Smith5Oct 31, 1972 Civic Auditorium, Bakersfield, California, U.S.
1Loss0–1 Howard Smith3 Sep 14, 1972 Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.