Sports
Pinklon Thomas
born 1958 · boxer, WBC heavyweight champion
Pontiac-born heavyweight who held the WBC world title from 1984 to 1986, known for his pink trunks and a punishing left jab.
- Born
Pontiac, Michigan
age 68- Also known as
- Pinky
- Field
- Sports
01 / The Detroit story
The Detroit story
Pinklon Thomas was born in Pontiac, the Oakland County auto town north of Detroit, and spent part of his childhood on military bases in South Carolina and Washington before settling in Florida. He turned professional in 1978 and built his reputation on a stiff, accurate left jab. In August 1984 he outpointed Tim Witherspoon to win the WBC heavyweight championship, promoted as boxing's "Centennial Champion" in the sport's hundredth year of gloved title fights. He defended the belt against former champion Mike Weaver and lost it to Trevor Berbick in 1986; a 1987 challenge to Mike Tyson ended in a sixth-round stoppage. His pink trunks, a nod to his first name, made him instantly recognizable. Thomas has spoken openly about overcoming drug addiction and later worked with young people in Orlando.
Highlights
- WBC heavyweight champion 1984–1986
- Billed as boxing's "Centennial Champion" (1886–1986)
- Beat former champions Mike Weaver and Tim Witherspoon
- Fought Mike Tyson for the WBA and WBC heavyweight titles in 1987