Pinklon Thomas
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Pink boxing trunks and a battering-ram left jab were the key distinguishing characteristics for this heavyweight native of Pontiac, Michigan who also lived on or near military bases in South Carolina and Washington State before settling 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 wearing down James 'Quick' Tillis and stopping him in the eighth round on national television in 1982, he fought former two-time title challenger Gerrie Coetzee, the formidable South African who would later win the WBA title, in January 1983 (also on network TV) and the two fought to a draw. After a few more wins, it was on to the big time vs. Tim Witherspoon in August 1984. And a big time it indeed was for Pinklon, winning the WBC heavyweight title from Terrible Tim in a 12-round majority decision that many at ringside felt should really have been unanimous. The last big fight for Pinklon in which he emerged victorious was his one-punch knockout of Mike Weaver (using his right hand instead of his left) to defend his crown in June 1985. After losing to Trevor Berbick in his second defense in March 1986 (12-round unanimous nod), his career would tailspin. He would get busted up and knocked out by Mike Tyson in May 1987 in a challenge for Tysons'a WBA/WBC title, and would get stopped on a cut in one round by the up-and-coming Tommy Morrison in 1991. While he did continue to fight and occasionally win, he 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.'
