Tim Witherspoon

Tim Witherspoon (born December 27, 1957) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1979 to 2003. He was a two-time world heavyweight champion, having held the WBC title in 1984, and the WBA title in 1986. He beat Heavyweight World Champions Greg Page, James Smith, Tony Tubbs, Frank Bruno and Cruiserweight World Champions Alfonzo Ratliff and Al Cole. He is best known for his fight against undefeated Heavyweight World Champion Larry Holmes in which he lost by Split decision. Witherspoon also worked as a regular sparring partner for Muhammad Ali.

Tim Witherspoon
Witherspoon in 2008
Born	(1957-12-27) December 27, 1957 (age 66) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Other names	Terrible
Statistics
Weight(s)	Heavyweight
Height	6 ft 3+1⁄2 in (192 cm)
Reach	78 in (198 cm)
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	69
Wins	55
Wins by KO	38
Losses	13
Draws	1

Professional career

Early years

Witherspoon had six amateur bouts, losing the last to Marvis Frazier on decision after getting knocked down.

Making his professional debut with a first-round TKO 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 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 complimentary ring alias of "Terrible" Tim Witherspoon.^[1]

In 1982, he was matched with Renaldo Snipes, who had just given champion Larry Holmes a fair challenge (and knocked Holmes down), and outpointed him over 10 rounds, setting up his own challenge to Holmes.

Witherspoon vs. Larry Holmes: WBC heavyweight title

Main article: Larry Holmes vs. Tim Witherspoon

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 champion Larry Holmes at the Dunes Hotel in Las Vegas. Witherspoon gave Holmes all he could handle, including rocking him badly in the ninth round, before losing a disputed twelve round split decision.

He returned later in the year to outpoint Floyd "Jumbo" Cummings, who had drawn with Joe Frazier in Smokin' Joe's last fight, and win the NABF title with a first-round knockout of James "Quick" Tillis.

First title reign: WBC heavyweight champion

Main article: Greg Page vs. Tim Witherspoon

In December 1983, Holmes relinquished his WBC title rather than defend against Greg Page, and chose to accept that of the newly formed IBF (International Boxing Federation).^{[citation needed]}

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.^{[citation needed]}

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 via majority decision.^{[citation needed]}

Second title reign: WBA heavyweight champion

Main articles: Tony Tubbs vs. Tim Witherspoon, Tim Witherspoon vs. Frank Bruno, and Tim Witherspoon vs. James Smith II

In 1985 Witherspoon regained his NABF belt by beating James Broad in two rounds and made a successful twelve round defense against James "Bonecrusher" Smith in his first defense of the belt. This earned him another chance at a heavyweight title and he signed to fight reigning WBA champion Tony Tubbs on January 17, 1986 in Atlanta. Witherspoon won a close fight by majority decision, winning by only one point on one of the scorecards and three on another with one even, to become champion for a second time.

In his first defense of his newly won championship, Witherspoon traveled to London and fought a young up-and-coming English heavyweight and future world champion Frank Bruno at Wembley Stadium, as part of the heavyweight unification series. In the eleventh round of a scheduled fifteen, Witherspoon recorded a technical knockout and did something he had not done when he was champion the first time: make a successful defense of the title after winning it. After defeating Bruno, a rematch with Tony Tubbs loomed but Tubbs pulled out of the fight.

Needing to make a title defense, Witherspoon accepted a second fight with Bonecrusher Smith. Since dropping a lopsided decision in their first matchup (losing every round but one on all three scorecards) Smith had fought four bouts and recorded three wins, all against fringe contenders and journeymen.^{[citation needed]} The fight was scheduled for December 12, 1986 at Madison Square Garden and Witherspoon a heavy favorite against the 17-5 Smith.^{[citation needed]} With fifty seconds remaining in the first round, Witherspoon hit the canvas a third time and Rivera ended the proceedings. At ringside, HBO commentators Barry Tompkins, Larry Merchant, and Sugar Ray Leonard expressed disbelief at the outcome, with all three calling the bout a major upset.^{[citation needed]}

Post-championship career

Following the end his second title reign, Witherspoon spent years in litigation against Don King.^{[citation needed]} In 1991 won the USBA heavyweight title by defeating fellow contender Carl "The Truth" Williams but lost a points decision to Everett Martin.^{[citation needed]} Ring magazine called this inexplicable loss the low point of his career.^{[citation needed]}

In 1993 Don King settled out of court and paid Witherspoon a million dollars. By 1994 Witherspoon had won five fights in a row by knockout.^{[citation needed]} Aged 38 he was signed by HBO and matched in high-profile fights with cruiserweight champion Al Cole and the Cuban amateur Jorge Luis González, both of whom he defeated.^{[citation needed]} Later in the year he was matched with Ray Mercer but lost a 10-round decision.^{[citation needed]}

After that loss Witherspoon laid off a year, and when he came back he was outpointed by Larry Donald on HBO, and, in 1998, lost a close decision when outworked by New Zealander Jimmy Thunder before travelling to Poland to be outpointed by Andrew Golota.^{[citation needed]}

The 43-year-old Witherspoon resurfaced in 2001, knocking out the prospect David Bostice in one round, outpointing Cuban southpaw contender Eliecer Castillo and Syrian Ahmed Abdin, before his revival was ended by Lou Savarese, who stopped him in five rounds.^{[citation needed]}

Witherspoon also competed in Cedric Kushner's 2003 Thunderbox Heavyweight Tournament, "Fistful of Dollars," but lost in the opening stages.^{[citation needed]}

Life after boxing

Witherspoon resides near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he trains boxers, including his son, lightweight Tim Witherspoon Jr. and many others. He has also trained Light Heavyweight champion Clinton Woods in the U.K.^[2]

In 2014, Witherspoon published his book with the help of British entrepreneur Kevin Baker and ghost writer Ryan Danes.^[3]

Professional boxing record

69 fights	55 wins	13 losses
By knockout	38	4
By decision	17	9
Draws	1

No.	Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round, time	Date	Age	Location	Notes
69	Loss	55–13–1	Brian Nix	SD	10	Mar 15, 2003	45 years, 78 days	Grand Casino, Gulfport, Mississippi, U.S.
68	Loss	55–12–1	Lou Savarese	TKO	5 (12), 2:42	Sep 22, 2002	44 years, 269 days	Table Mountain Casino, Friant, California, U.S.	For vacant WBO Inter-Continental heavyweight title
67	Win	55–11–1	Ahmed Abdin	UD	10	May 18, 2002	44 years, 142 days	Silver Star Hotel & Casino, Choctaw, Mississippi, U.S.
66	Win	54–11–1	Darroll Wilson	KO	2 (10), 1:02	Mar 10, 2002	44 years, 73 days	Green Valley Ranch, Henderson, Nevada, U.S.
65	Win	53–11–1	Ed White	TKO	1, 1:10	Jan 18, 2002	44 years, 22 days	Entertainment & Sports Arena, Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S.
64	Win	52–11–1	Cleveland Woods	KO	1 (10), 2:30	Jul 29, 2001	43 years, 214 days	Palace Indian Gaming Center, Lemoore, California, U.S.
63	Loss	51–11–1	Monte Barrett	SD	10	Jun 28, 2001	43 years, 183 days	Turning Stone Resort Casino, Verona, New York, U.S.
62	Win	51–10–1	Danny Wofford	TKO	3 (10)	Apr 13, 2001	43 years, 107 days	University, Hampton, Virginia, U.S.
61	Win	50–10–1	Elieser Castillo	MD	10	Mar 31, 2001	43 years, 94 days	Bally's Park Place, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
60	Win	49–10–1	David Bostice	TKO	1 (10), 2:21	Feb 22, 2001	43 years, 57 days	Zembo Shrine Building, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.
59	Win	48–10–1	David Smith	TKO	2 (10), 2:12	Jul 8, 2000	42 years, 194 days	Monroe, Louisiana, U.S.
58	Draw	47–10–1	Mike Sedillo	PTS	12	Apr 29, 2000	42 years, 124 days	St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda	For NBA heavyweight title
57	Win	47–10	Joe Ballard	KO	1	Feb 25, 2000	42 years, 60 days	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
56	Loss	46–10	Greg Page	RTD	7 (10), 3:00	Jun 18, 1999	41 years, 173 days	Cumberland County Crown Coliseum, Fayetteville, North Carolina, U.S.
55	Loss	46–9	Brian Nielsen	TKO	4 (10)	Apr 16, 1999	41 years, 110 days	K.B. Hallen, Copenhagen, Denmark
54	Loss	46–8	Andrew Golota	UD	10	Oct 2, 1998	40 years, 279 days	Centennial Hall, Wrocław, Poland
53	Loss	46–7	Jimmy Thunder	UD	10	Apr 7, 1998	40 years, 101 days	Harrah's Hotel and Casino, Cherokee, North Carolina, U.S.
52	Loss	46–6	Larry Donald	UD	12	Dec 13, 1997	39 years, 351 days	Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, U.S.	For WBC Continental Americas heavyweight title
51	Win	46–5	Levi Billups	TKO	1 (10), 1:44	Nov 4, 1997	39 years, 312 days	Grand Casino, Tunica, Mississippi, U.S.
50	Loss	45–5	Ray Mercer	UD	10	Dec 14, 1996	38 years, 353 days	Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
49	Win	45–4	Jorge Luis González	TKO	5 (10), 2:54	May 10, 1996	38 years, 135 days	Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
48	Win	44–4	Al Cole	UD	10	Jan 12, 1996	38 years, 16 days	Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
47	Win	43–4	Tim Puller	TKO	2 (10), 0:45	Nov 14, 1995	37 years, 322 days	Casino Magic, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, U.S.
46	Win	42–4	Everton Davis	TKO	7 (10), 1:34	Oct 31, 1995	37 years, 308 days	Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
45	Win	41–4	Jesse Shelby	TKO	1 (10)	Mar 24, 1995	37 years, 87 days	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
44	Win	40–4	Nathaniel Fitch	TKO	6 (10)	Dec 17, 1994	36 years, 355 days	Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
43	Win	39–4	Sherman Griffin	TKO	3 (10), 2:58	Aug 12, 1994	36 years, 228 days	South Padre Island, Texas, U.S.
42	Win	38–4	Tony Willis	UD	10	Aug 25, 1992	34 years, 242 days	Harrah's Marino Resort, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
41	Loss	37–4	Everett Martin	SD	10	Jul 21, 1992	34 years, 207 days	The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.
40	Win	37–3	James Pritchard	UD	10	Mar 23, 1992	34 years, 87 days	Harrah's Marina Resort, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
39	Win	36–3	Jimmy Lee Smith	KO	1 (10), 2:27	Feb 4, 1992	34 years, 38 days	Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
38	Win	35–3	Art Tucker	TKO	3 (12), 1:33	Sep 10, 1991	33 years, 257 days	The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.	Retained USBA heavyweight title
37	Win	34–3	Carl Williams	SD	12	Mar 8, 1991	33 years, 71 days	Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.	Won USBA heavyweight title
36	Win	33–3	José Ribalta	MD	10	Jul 19, 1990	32 years, 204 days	Kingdome, Seattle, Washington, U.S.
35	Win	32–3	Greg Gorrell	TKO	3 (10), 1:00	Mar 12, 1990	32 years, 75 days	Gelora Senayan Main Stadium, Jakarta, Indonesia
34	Win	31–3	Jeff Sims	RTD	5 (10), 3:00	Jan 11, 1990	32 years, 15 days	Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
33	Win	30–3	Anders Eklund	KO	1 (10), 1:11	Oct 19, 1989	31 years, 296 days	Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
32	Win	29–3	Larry Alexander	SD	10	Jan 27, 1989	31 years, 31 days	Bally's Las Vegas, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
31	Win	28–3	Mauricio Villegas	TKO	9 (10)	Feb 17, 1988	30 years, 52 days	York Hall, London, England
30	Win	27–3	Mike Williams	SD	10	Oct 14, 1987	29 years, 291 days	Steel Pier, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
29	Win	26–3	Mark Wills	TKO	1 (10), 1:15	Aug 4, 1987	29 years, 220 days	Steel Pier, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
28	Loss	25–3	James Smith	KO	1 (15), 2:12	Dec 12, 1986	28 years, 350 days	Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.	Lost WBA heavyweight title
27	Win	25–2	Frank Bruno	TKO	11 (15), 2:57	Jul 19, 1986	28 years, 204 days	Wembley Stadium, London, England	Retained WBA heavyweight title
26	Win	24–2	Tony Tubbs	MD	15	Jan 17, 1986	28 years, 21 days	Omni Coliseum, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.	Won WBA heavyweight title
25	Win	23–2	Sammy Scaff	TKO	4 (10), 1:04	Oct 12, 1985	27 years, 289 days	National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, England
24	Win	22–2	Larry Beilfuss	TKO	1 (10), 1:35	Sep 6, 1985	27 years, 253 days	Tamiami Park Auditorium, Miami, Florida, U.S.
23	Win	21–2	James Smith	UD	12	Jun 15, 1985	27 years, 170 days	Riviera, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.	Retained NABF heavyweight title
22	Win	20–2	James Broad	KO	2 (12), 2:35	Apr 29, 1985	27 years, 123 days	Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.	Retained NABF heavyweight title
21	Win	19–2	Mark Wills	TKO	9 (10), 1:13	Mar 25, 1985	27 years, 88 days	The Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
20	Loss	18–2	Pinklon Thomas	MD	12	Aug 31, 1984	26 years, 248 days	Riviera, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.	Lost WBC heavyweight title
19	Win	18–1	Greg Page	MD	12	Mar 9, 1984	26 years, 73 days	Las Vegas Convention Center, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.	Won vacant WBC heavyweight title
18	Win	17–1	James Tillis	TKO	1 (12), 2:16	Sep 23, 1983	25 years, 270 days	Coliseum, Richfield, Ohio, U.S.	Won vacant NABF heavyweight title
17	Win	16–1	Floyd Cummings	UD	10	Jul 16, 1983	25 years, 201 days	Dunes, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
16	Loss	15–1	Larry Holmes	SD	12	May 20, 1983	25 years, 144 days	Dunes, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.	For WBC and The Ring heavyweight titles
15	Win	15–0	Renaldo Snipes	MD	10	Jun 5, 1982	24 years, 160 days	Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
14	Win	14–0	Luis Acosta	KO	2 (10), 0:42	Mar 30, 1982	24 years, 93 days	Playboy Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
13	Win	13–0	Alfonzo Ratliff	TKO	7 (10), 2:25	Dec 5, 1981	23 years, 343 days	Sands, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
12	Win	12–0	Curtis Gaskins	KO	2 (8)	Nov 17, 1981	23 years, 325 days	Playboy Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
11	Win	11–0	Jerry Williams	TKO	8 (10)	Jul 30, 1981	23 years, 215 days	Martin Luther King Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
10	Win	10–0	Bobby Jordan	KO	4 (10)	Jun 17, 1981	23 years, 172 days	Martin Luther King Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
9	Win	9–0	Dave Johnson	UD	8	Apr 11, 1981	23 years, 105 days	Concord Resort Hotel, Thompson, New York, U.S.
8	Win	8–0	Marvin Stinson	PTS	10	Feb 7, 1981	23 years, 42 days	Steel Pier, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
7	Win	7–0	Ed Bednarik	TKO	1, 2:06	Jan 24, 1981	23 years, 28 days	Martin Luther King Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
6	Win	6–0	James Reid	TKO	6 (8)	Dec 11, 1980	22 years, 350 days	Martin Luther King Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
5	Win	5–0	Oliver Wright	TKO	2 (8)	Oct 24, 1980	22 years, 302 days	Martin Luther King Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
4	Win	4–0	Charles Cox	KO	5	Jul 20, 1980	22 years, 206 days	The Great Gorge Playboy Club Hotel, McAfee, New Jersey, U.S.
3	Win	3–0	Robert Evans	UD	6	May 9, 1980	22 years, 134 days	Long Island Arena, Commack, New York, U.S.
2	Win	2–0	Robert Ritchie	KO	1	Apr 26, 1980	22 years, 121 days	Lynchburg, Virginia, U.S.
1	Win	1–0	Joe Adams	TKO	1, 1:58	Oct 30, 1979	21 years, 307 days	Forum, Upper Darby Township, Pennsylvania, U.S.

References

1. Frank bruno's autobiography
2. "Boxing: Woods returns to Sheffield 'needing to be verbally abused'". The Independent. February 4, 2004. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
3. "Tim Witherspoon biography on the way – "Terrible" Tim to finally tell his side of the story". Boxing News. April 4, 2013. Retrieved November 11, 2013.

External links

• Boxing record for Tim Witherspoon from BoxRec (registration required)
• "Terrible" Times: A Life of Tim Witherspoon at boxing.com

Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
Vacant Title last held by Michael Dokes	NABF heavyweight champion September 23, 1983 – January 1986 Vacated	Vacant Title next held by James Broad
Preceded by Carl Williams	USBA heavyweight champion March 8, 1991 – February 1992 Vacated	Vacant Title next held by Mike Hunter
World boxing titles
Vacant Title last held by Larry Holmes	WBC heavyweight champion March 9, 1984 – August 31, 1984	Succeeded by Pinklon Thomas
Preceded by Tony Tubbs	WBA heavyweight champion January 17, 1986 – December 12, 1986	Succeeded by James Smith