Tim Witherspoon - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

"Terrible" Tim Witherspoon (born December 27, 1957) is an American boxer who was twice world heavyweight champion.

Early career

Witherspoon had eight and a half amateur bouts, losing one to Marvis Frazier on decision after getting knocked down.

Making his professional debut with a first-round TKO

Knockout

A knockout is a fight-ending, winning criterion in several full-contact combat sports, such as boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, mixed martial arts, Karate and others sports involving striking...

over Joe Adams on October 30, 1979, Witherspoon quickly rose through the ranks. In 1981, he participated in his first high profile fight, knocking out future world cruiserweight champion Alfonzo Ratliff, after which he was signed by an impressed Don King. Witherspoon was a sparring partner of Ali as he was training to fight Larry Holmes and Trevor Berbick. Ali also gave Witherspoon his ring alias of "Terrible" Tim Witherspoon.

In 1982, he was matched with Renaldo Snipes

Renaldo Snipes

Renaldo Snipes, born Reenaold Snipes on August 15, 1956 in Houston, Texas, is an accomplished American boxer, best known for his title championship bout with Larry Holmes.-Amateur career:...

, who had just given champion Larry Holmes a stiff challenge (and knocked Holmes down), and outpointed him over 10 rounds, setting up his own challenge to Holmes.

On May 20, 1983, Witherspoon would have his first attempt at earning a world title by taking on the recognized top man in the division World Boxing Council

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...

champion Larry Holmes

Larry Holmes

Larry Holmes is a former professional boxer. He grew up in Easton, Pennsylvania, which gave birth to his boxing nickname, The Easton Assassin....

at the Dunes Hotel

Dunes (hotel and casino)

The Dunes Hotel was a Paradise, Nevada, hotel and casino that operated from May 23, 1955 to January 26, 1993, and was the tenth resort to open on the Las Vegas Strip. The Bellagio now stands on the former grounds.-History:...

in Las Vegas

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...

. Witherspoon, a relative unknown, utilized his awkward style and natural physical strength and fought valiantly. However, he lost the fight by a split decision.

However Witherspoon had caused a stir with his showing and the expectations of a potentially glorious career would color what he eventually did accomplish. He returned later in the year to outpoint Floyd "Jumbo" Cummings

Floyd Cummings

Floyd "Jumbo" Cummings is a retired American heavyweight boxer.Cummings served 12 years in prison for murder in the Stateville Correctional Center, Illinois, and upon his release started boxing professionally, making his debut in March 1979 at the age of 29.He was a fringe contender in the...

, who had drawn with Joe Frazier in Smokin Joe's last fight, and win the NABF title impressively with a first round knockout of James "Quick" Tillis.

First Title Reign

In December 1983, Holmes relinquished his WBC title rather than defend against Greg Page (boxer)

Greg Page (boxer)

Greg Page was a boxer from Louisville, Kentucky. He was the World Boxing Association Heavyweight Champion from 1984 to 1985...

, and chose to accept that of the newly formed IBF (International Boxing Federation).

Witherspoon was matched with Page for the vacant title on March 9, 1984. Page, in constant war with promoter Don King, turned up overweight and was outpointed in a close, mauling fight.

Witherspoon's reign as champion would not be long however, as soon he himself was in constant war with King, and on August 31 of that year he was outpointed by Pinklon Thomas

Pinklon Thomas

Pinklon Thomas is a retired heavyweight boxer and former WBC heavyweight champion whose trademark pink boxing trunks and a left jab were key distinguishing characteristics....

via majority decision.

Second Title Reign

In 1985 Witherspoon regained his NABF belt by impressively destroying James Broad

James Broad

James Broad was an American heavyweight boxer who was an amateur star and, prior to the boycott, set to represent America in the 1980 Moscow Olympics. As a pro he won the NABF heavyweight title and was a regular sparring partner of a peak Mike Tyson.-Amateur:Broad took up boxing when he joined the...

in two rounds, and retaining it with a twelve round decision over James "Bonecrusher" Smith, earning a match against reigning WBA (World Boxing Association) champion Tony Tubbs

Tony Tubbs

Tony Tubbs is a retired professional heavyweight boxer who was the WBA Heavyweight Champion of the world from 1985 to 1986.-Amateur career:...

on January 17, 1986. In a fairly enjoyable bout, Witherspoon would win a majority decision over 15 rounds (144-143, 143-143, 144-141) over an overweight Tubbs to take the title.

Witherspoon's second reign as a Heavyweight champion saw him travel to London, England and defend his title against hard hitting local Frank Bruno

Frank Bruno

Franklin Roy Bruno MBE is an English former boxer whose career highlight was winning the WBC Heavyweight championship in 1995. Altogether, he won 40 of his 45 contests...

in front of 60,000 fans. After a tough, bruising fight, Witherspoon came from behind to stop Bruno in the 11th, retaining his title. After the fight, Bruno would receive a million sterling from his promoters. Witherspoon, due the same amount, devastatingly received less than $100,000 after Don King's creative accounting and deductions.

Witherspoon was supposed to fight a rematch against Tubbs next, but due to Tubbs pulling out of the fight he ended up facing Bonecrusher Smith in a rematch of their 1985 fight. Witherspoon came into the fight as a favorite but Smith came out aggressively against the champion. Witherspoon was felled three times in the span of 2:16 and the fight was stopped with Smith winning by TKO in what was considered by some (including HBO's Larry Merchant at ringside) as a monumental upset.

Post championship career

Following the end his second title reign, Witherspoon would lose years warring with Don King in court. Avoided by numerous big name fighters, Witherspoon would fight scarcely, in varying shape and form. In 1991 won the USBA heavyweight title by defeating fellow contender Carl "The Truth" Williams but lost a dubious points decision to journeyman Everett Martin

Everett Martin

Everett Wayne Martin , also known as Bigfoot Martin is a former professional boxer. He is a journeyman heavyweight best known for his performances against more notable contenders.-Pro Boxing Career:...

.

In 1993 Don King settled out of court and paid Witherspoon a million dollars. By 1994 a new and in shape Witherspoon was back, winning five fights in a row by knockout. Aged 38 he was inked by HBO and matched in high profile fights with cruiserweight champion Al Cole

Al Cole

Alfred "Ice" Cole is a heavyweight boxer.Cole was a champion and a major force in the cruiserweight division prior to moving up to the heavyweight division, where he had less success....

and the Cuban amateur legend Jorge Luis Gonzales, both of whom he defeated comprehensively. Later in the year he was matched with Ray Mercer

Ray Mercer

"Merciless" Ray Mercer is an American professional boxer, former Olympic Gold Medalist and WBO heavyweight title holder who resides in Fayetteville, North Carolina...

but lost a disputed 10 round decision.

After that loss Witherspoon laid off a year, and when he came back he had lost his edge. The ageing, out-of-shape fighter was outpointed convincingly by the slick Larry Donald

Larry Donald

Larry Ali Donald is a professional heavyweight boxer, who competed for the United States at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain.-Professional career:...

on HBO, and, in 1998, lost a close decision when outworked by New Zealand muscleman Jimmy Thunder

Jimmy Thunder

Jimmy Thunder , is a former Samoan boxer.- Early life :During his early life and amateur career, Thunder was known as Jimmy Peau. His mother Papaliitele Milagi Leaupepe is from the village of Fasitoouta, and his father Lupematasila Maalo Faasavalu Peau is from the village of Falelatai...

before travelling to Poland to be outpointed by Andrew Golota.

Surprisingly, a 43 year old Witherspoon resurfaced in 2001, knocking out the usually durable prospect David Bostice

David Bostice

David Bostice, born April 3, 1972 in Los Angeles, CA, is a heavyweight boxer. Nicknamed "The Boss", Bostice is known for being a regular fighter on ESPN fight cards, and is a heavyweight clubfighter who fought several significant fighters of his era....

in one round, outpointing Cuban southpaw contender Eliecer Castillo

Eliecer Castillo

Elieser Ramos Castillo , is a Cuban professional boxer in the heavyweight division.-Amateur career:Elieser Castillo Ramos was part of the legendary Cuban boxing program before he defected to the United States....

and huge Syrian Ahmed Abdin, before his revival was ended by hard hitting heavyweight Lou Savarese

Lou Savarese

Lou Savarese is an Italian-American boxer, and a former professional boxer from Houston, Texas, United States.-Amateur career:...

who stopped him in five rounds.

Witherspoon also competed in Cedric Kushner's 2003 Thunderbox Heavyweight Tournament

Thunderbox Heavyweight Tournament

The Thunderbox Heavyweight Tournament was a heavyweight boxing elimination tournament, held on 30 November 2002 by Cedric Kushner at the Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey...

, "Fistful of Dollars," but at 45 looked his age and lost in the opening stages.

Tim now resides in an area around Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he trains boxers, including his son, lightweight Tim Witherspoon Jr.; a heavyweight prospect named Robert Atkins; and many others. He has also trained Light Heavyweight champion Clinton Woods

Clinton Woods

Clinton Woods , is a retired professional boxer from Sheffield, England. He is the former IBF, European, British, & Commonwealth light heavyweight champion....

in the U.K.

Lawsuit against Don King

Besides being known for his exploits inside the ring, Witherspoon also achieved notoriety by suing his long-time promoter Don King. In 1987, Witherspoon filed a $25 million suit against King and his son Carl King for fraud and conflict of interest. Carl King was Witherspoon's manager and represented Witherspoon in negotiation's with Carl's father, Don King. According to documents produced during discovery, Carl King improperly took half of Witherspoon's earnings as his manager's fee. Most managers receive, at most, a third. However, instead of going to trial King agreed to settle the case for $1 million.

Professional boxing record

Brian Nix
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