Mike Weaver (boxer)

Mike Weaver
Data
Birth Name	Michael Dwayne Weaver
Fight name	Hercules
Weight class	Heavyweight
nationality	US-american
birthday	June 14, 1952
place of birth	Gatesville
style	Left delivery
size	1.85 m
Range	1.98 cm
Combat Statistics
Struggles	60
Victories	41
Knockout victories	28
Defeats	18th
draw	1
Profile in the BoxRec database

Michael Dwayne "Mike" Weaver (born June 14, 1952 in Gatesville , Texas ) is a former American heavyweight boxer and former WBA title holder .

career

Weaver turned pro in 1972 and lost three of his first four fights. With a record of six wins and five defeats, he went to the undefeated white Olympian Duane Bobick in July 1974 and went KO.

Then he managed a series of eight wins in a row before losing again twice. In 1978 he won against a well-known opponent for the first time, he beat Bernardo Mercado (20-1) KO.

Despite this moderate record with eight defeats already, he got the opportunity on June 22, 1979 to play in Madison Square Garden against the undefeated WBC world champion Larry Holmes . The fight then turned out to be more even than generally expected. In the twelfth round, Holmes was finally able to prevail with a hard-fought technical knockout.

Nevertheless, the performance brought Weaver recognition and after two more victories he was allowed to contest another title fight on March 31, 1980, this time against the WBA world champion undefeated John Tate (record 20-0). Tate was clearly leading on points until the 15th and final lap, when Weaver was able to hit the heavy knockout with an attack and win the title.

He was then able to defend the belt twice: In October 1980 with a technical knockout against Gerrie Coetzee and in October 1981 on points against the undefeated "Quick" Tillis (20-0 record), who, after clearly dominating at the beginning, ended of the fight collapsed conditionally.

He then lost the title on December 10, 1982 through a controversial first round termination to the undefeated young Don King star Michael Dokes . The direct rematch was scored as a draw.

He fought one last title fight on June 15, 1985 against WBC world champion Pinklon Thomas , to which he lost prematurely. Despite a knockout win against Carl "The Truth" Williams , things went downhill with a knockout loss to James Smith and a point loss to Donovan Ruddock . In 1987 he defeated the undefeated James Pritchard (15-0) and Johnny Du Plooy (17-0), but lost the rematch against Johnny Du Plooy five months later. In 1991 he lost to the up-and-coming Lennox Lewis by classic knockout in round 6. He played his last fight in 2000 in a duel between the veteran star against Larry Holmes and lost.

Web links

• Mike Weaver in the BoxRec database

predecessor	Office	successor
John Tate	Heavyweight Boxing Champion ( WBA ) March 31, 1980 - December 10, 1982	Michael Dokes