Pinklon Thomas
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Pinklon Thomas is a former boxer whose trademark pink boxing trunks and a left jab were key distinguishing characteristics.
A native of Pontiac, Michigan who also lived on or near military bases in South Carolina and Washington state, Thomas eventually settled in Wyncote, Pennsylvania.
After an impressive start to his professional career (which began after only a few amateur fights), Pinklon Thomas had trouble with his hands in terms of suffering injuries, but training from a martial arts expert enabled him to use his fists in ways such that he wouldn't be as susceptible to injuries while boxing. After beating James 'Quick' Tillis by stopping him in the eighth round on national television in 1982, he fought former two-time title challenger Gerrie Coetzee, the South African who would later win the WBA title, in January of 1983 (also on network TV) and the two fought to a draw.
After a few more wins, it was on to his first world heavyweight championship try, vs. Tim Witherspoon in August 1984. Pinklon won the WBC world heavyweight title from Terrible Tim in a 12-round majority decision that many at ringside felt should really have been unanimous. Thomas' only defense, in which he emerged victorious, was a one-punch knockout of Mike Weaver (using his right hand instead of his left) to defend his crown in eight rounds, in June of 1985. After losing to Trevor Berbick in his second defense in March of 1986 (12-round unanimous decision loss), his career would tailspin.
He would again challenge for the world heavyweight title, being knocked out by Mike Tyson in May of 1987 in six rounds, and then he would get stopped on a cut in one round by the up-and-coming Tommy Morrison in 1991. In November 1992, Thomas became the first world champion recognized by the International Boxing Organization, a sanctioning body that later would gain greater acclaim through the use of computerized ratings of boxers. He never defended the title, being stripped of it in 1993.
While he did continue to fight and occasionally win, Thomas nowhere regained his form as he had against the likes of Coetzee, Witherspoon, and Weaver, and his career eventually would peter out. While Pinklon is still involved in the sport, he has 'changed gears' to a more trainer/counselor standpoint, assisting those pugilists in the 'next generation.'
| Preceded by: Tim Witherspoon | Heavyweight boxing champion (WBC) 1984–1986 | Succeeded by: Trevor Berbick |
| Preceded by: (none) | Heavyweight boxing champion (IBO) 1992–1993 | Succeeded by: Danell Nicholson |