Michael Dokes
Encyclopedia
Michael Marshall Dokes is a former American boxer
in the heavyweight
division, nicknamed "Dynamite."
. He lost a 3-2 split decision to Teofilio Stevenson in the finals. He also lost a close decision to John Tate in the Olympic Trials, after which he turned professional.
in 1977, which saw Ali clown and mug while slipping Dokes' punches, but also revealed glimpses of Dokes' potential. He came to real prominence in 1979 by defeating veteran contender Jimmy Young
. His career faltered slightly after fighting to a draw with Ossie Ocasio
, but Dokes returned to knock out Ocasio in one round soon thereafter. By early 1982, after a first round knockout of Lynn Ball to win the NABF
title, Dokes was in line for a title shot. He was ranked #2 by the WBC
and #3 by the WBA
. Dokes became WBA heavyweight champion in 1982 by knocking out Mike Weaver in the first round. A rematch was ordered due to the controversial nature of referee Joey Curtis
's stoppage, which some felt was premature. In the rematch, Dokes retained his title on a majority draw.
Dokes's reign as the WBA title holder was short-lived. He lost his title by a tenth round knockout to Gerrie Coetzee
. He was later knocked out by future champion Evander Holyfield
in a fight which was called the "Heavyweight Fight of the Year" in 1989, and the "Heavyweight Fight of the Decade" for the 1980s.
Dokes was knocked out by Razor Ruddock
in 1990. In 1993, Dokes faced newly crowned heavyweight champion Riddick Bowe
in his first title defense since defeating Evander Holyfield. Bowe won by TKO in the first round. Although Dokes and his team protested that the fight was stopped prematurely, it was obvious that Dokes was in no condition to continue after taking a vicious barrage of punches from the heavy hitting Bowe. After a nearly three year hiatus, Dokes returned to the ring winning 3 out 5 matches over a two year period before retiring for good in 1997.
He is currently fighting a battle with liver cancer.
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
in the heavyweight
Heavyweight
Heavyweight is a division, or weight class, in boxing. Fighters who weigh over 200 pounds are considered heavyweights by the major professional boxing organizations: the International Boxing Federation, the World Boxing Association, the World Boxing Council, and the World Boxing...
division, nicknamed "Dynamite."
Amateur career
Dokes won a silver medal at the 1975 Pan American GamesBoxing at the 1975 Pan American Games
The Men's Boxing Tournament at the 1975 Pan American Games was held in Mexico City, Mexico, from October 12 to October 26.- Medal winners :-Medal table:-External links:*...
. He lost a 3-2 split decision to Teofilio Stevenson in the finals. He also lost a close decision to John Tate in the Olympic Trials, after which he turned professional.
Amateur Accomplishments
- 1975 National AAU Heavyweight Champion
- 1976 National Golden Gloves Heavyweight Champion, beating future pro champs John TateJohn TateJohn Torrence Tate Jr. is an American mathematician, distinguished for many fundamental contributions in algebraic number theory, arithmetic geometry and related areas in algebraic geometry.-Biography:...
and Greg PageGreg Page (boxer)Greg Page was a boxer from Louisville, Kentucky. He was the World Boxing Association Heavyweight Champion from 1984 to 1985...
en route. - As an underage 15 year old, made it to the finals of both the 1974 National Golden Gloves and the National AAU tournaments.He lost to Leon Spinks in AAU final, and future Tyson trainer Bobby Stewart in the Golden Gloves final.
- Won 1974 North American championships.
Pro career
Dokes turned professional in 1976. He received national exposure in a televised exhibition with Muhammad AliMuhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali is an American former professional boxer, philanthropist and social activist...
in 1977, which saw Ali clown and mug while slipping Dokes' punches, but also revealed glimpses of Dokes' potential. He came to real prominence in 1979 by defeating veteran contender Jimmy Young
Jimmy Young (boxer)
Jimmy Young was a fast highly skilled Philadelphia heavyweight boxer who had his greatest success during the 1970s, when he most notably beat George Foreman, and many fans felt also Ali . He also fought many top names...
. His career faltered slightly after fighting to a draw with Ossie Ocasio
Ossie Ocasio
Osvaldo Ocasio, , better known as Ossie Ocasio and nicknamed Jaws, is a Puerto Rican who was a boxer and world Cruiserweight champion. He got his peculiar nickname after accidentally biting another boxer during a sparring session...
, but Dokes returned to knock out Ocasio in one round soon thereafter. By early 1982, after a first round knockout of Lynn Ball to win the NABF
North American Boxing Federation
The North American Boxing Federation is a not-for-profit regional sanctioning body that awards regional boxing titles. It is a boxing federation within the World Boxing Council .-History:...
title, Dokes was in line for a title shot. He was ranked #2 by the WBC
World Boxing Council
The World Boxing Council was initially established by 11 countries: the United States, Argentina, United Kingdom, France, Mexico, Philippines, Panama, Chile, Peru, Venezuela and Brazil plus Puerto Rico, met in Mexico City on February 14, 1963, upon invitation of the then President of Mexico, Adolfo...
and #3 by the WBA
World Boxing Association
The World Boxing Association is a boxing organization that sanctions official matches, and awards the WBA world championship title at the professional level. It was previously known as the National Boxing Association before changing its name in 1962...
. Dokes became WBA heavyweight champion in 1982 by knocking out Mike Weaver in the first round. A rematch was ordered due to the controversial nature of referee Joey Curtis
Joey Curtis
George Curtis was a former professional boxer, referee and business owner who was licensed to officiate bouts in Las Vegas, Nevada....
's stoppage, which some felt was premature. In the rematch, Dokes retained his title on a majority draw.
Dokes's reign as the WBA title holder was short-lived. He lost his title by a tenth round knockout to Gerrie Coetzee
Gerrie Coetzee
Gerhardus Christian Coetzee , better known as Gerrie Coetzee, is a South African former boxer. He made history twice: he was the first boxer from the African continent ever to fight for the World Heavyweight Title, and the first to win the World Heavyweight Title...
. He was later knocked out by future champion Evander Holyfield
Evander Holyfield
Evander Holyfield is a professional boxer from the United States. He is a former undisputed world champion in both the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions, earning him the nickname "The Real Deal"...
in a fight which was called the "Heavyweight Fight of the Year" in 1989, and the "Heavyweight Fight of the Decade" for the 1980s.
Dokes was knocked out by Razor Ruddock
Donovan Ruddock
Donovan Ruddock , also known as Razor Ruddock, is a retired Canadian heavyweight boxer. He was a promising Heavyweight of the late 1980s and early 1990s...
in 1990. In 1993, Dokes faced newly crowned heavyweight champion Riddick Bowe
Riddick Bowe
Riddick Lamont Bowe is a retired American boxer. He is a two-time heavyweight champion and a former undisputed heavyweight champion...
in his first title defense since defeating Evander Holyfield. Bowe won by TKO in the first round. Although Dokes and his team protested that the fight was stopped prematurely, it was obvious that Dokes was in no condition to continue after taking a vicious barrage of punches from the heavy hitting Bowe. After a nearly three year hiatus, Dokes returned to the ring winning 3 out 5 matches over a two year period before retiring for good in 1997.
Life After Boxing
In 1999 Dokes was sentenced to between four and 15 years in prison after being convicted of an attack on his fiancee in August 1998.Late in 2008, Dokes was released on parole.http://gamblingmagazine.com/articles/29/29-217.htmHe is currently fighting a battle with liver cancer.