Looking back at the heavy weight of the King Tim Witherspoon

In the recent Pope’s recent induction last Sunday in Philadelphia, I spoke to former heavyweight champion of the world twice, ‘terrible’, Tim Witherspoon, which I have known over the years.

Witherspoon is one of the most beautiful and honest former champions attending boxing games in Philadelphia and events such as the recent one. He is a favorite by fans who were kind enough to answer some questions about his career.

I first met Witherspoon in 1979 when he was at the camp in Sparring with Muhammad Ali in Deer Lake, Pa, with his ‘Slim’ coach Jim Robinson.

Witherspoon turned professionally in October 1979, defeating Joe Adams for the first time and going on to win his first fifteen fight before losing a split decision that is the subject of a debate to WCP world champion, Larry ‘The Easton Assassin’ Holmes, 42-0, at the Dunes Hotel & Casino, outdoor arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, in May 1983. I’ve won the battle over the years, I taught you more to do over the years.

In the fourteenth of witherspoon, Renaldo defeated ‘Mr.’ Snipes, 22-1-1, at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas by majority decision, winning the title battle for him. Bows in his previous battle came off a title fight loss with Holmes.

I remember watching the Holmes-Hwitherspoon fighting and I felt that Witherspoon should have had the split decision. Many years later, I mentioned this to Holmes at his press conference, and he was not pleased to say this.

Witherspoon rebounded in his next fight, defeating Floyd ‘Jumbo’ Cumbings, 15-4-1, in the dunes. In September 1983 he won the empty NABF title that Michael Dokes left to go on to win the WBA title, stopping James ‘Quick’ Tillis, 26-3, in the first round. This won him another title match, winning WBC’s empty world title, defeating Greg Page, 23-1, at the Convention Center, Las Vegas, in March 1984. he said.

In August in his first defense Witherspoon lost a majority decision to Pinklon ‘Pink’ Thomas, 24-0-1, at the Riviera Hotel, Las Vegas. Again, close fighting.

Witherspoon would go on to win his next seven fights including beating James ‘Broad Ax’ Broad, 17-1, in two rounds winning the NABF title at the Memorial Auditorium, in Buffalo, New York.

Next, Witherspoon defeated the world’s world champion, James ‘Bonecrusher’ Smith, 15-3, at the Riviera Hotel. Three contests later, Tony ‘TNT’ Tubbs, 21-0, defeated Atlanta, Georgia, on January 17th for the WBA world title, becoming a two-time world champion.

Shortly before fighting the Tubbs on December 27th, I got a birthday, and I was training for the battle, and I was smoking Marijuana. I tested positively after the battle and paid a fine of $ 25,000, and I had to go rehabilitation for about six months, and I got a re-match. Tubbs was hurt in training, hurt his shoulder, and did not fight for another 15 months.

Witherspoon would then travel to the UK before 40,000 were present by the future suspension of the World Champion, Frank Bruno, 28-1 in the eleventh round in July 1986.

In December 1986, Witherspoon would suffer his third loss in a second game with ‘Bonecrusher’, suspended in the first round at Madison Square Garden, New York, falling to 25-3. “I was scheduled to fight Tubbs in a rematch and when I heard it was hurt I broke into the camp. I wasn’t in shape for this battle. I knew there was a three -shot rule, and I took a dive. You could see me crawling on the floor. I was acting to make it look good, or I didn’t even get it.

In 1987, Witherspoon filed a 25 million dollar legal case against promoter Don King and his Lysfab, Carl King, who was witherspoon’s manager, accusing them of fraud and conflict of interest. The out -of -court suit was settled for $ 1 million in 1992. “I got the money, about $ 800,000 in pieces,” Witherspoon said.

Witherspoon won his eight next matches. In March 1991, he won a split decision for another opponent that I felt defeated Holmes, only to lose when he was 16-0, USBA IBF Champion ‘The Truth’ Williams, 23-3, at Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, with Witherspoon winning a split decision.

Three wins later, Witherspoon lost a split decision to Everett ‘Big Foot’ Martin, 17-14-1, at the Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan. “I took it lightly and thought it was just an opponent, ‘said Witherspoon.

In January 1996, Witherspoon defeated former World Cruise Champion Al Cole, 27-1, followed by Jorge Luis Gonzalez from Cuba, 24-1, both at Msg. “I boxed Gonzalez, not wanting to go into a brawl with it,” said Witherspoon.

At Witherspoon’s next fight, he lost to former World Champion Wbo Ray ‘Merciless’ Mercer, 23-4-1, at Atlantic City. “His injection was harder than Holmes,” said Witherspoon. After posting a victory, he took a loss of five battles to competitors WBC Continental Americas ‘The Legend’ Champion ‘The Legend’, 29-1-1, James Thunder, 32-9, Andrew Golota, 31-3, ‘Super’ Brian Nielsen, who would equal Rocky Marciano 49-0 record. “His people from Danish came to my house asking me to dive and they would pay me for it, I was, so I took it” said Witherspoon, stopping in four rounds. He then lost Witherspoon in a second game with Page, 55-14-1, suspended after seven rounds in Fayetteville, NC.

Witherspoon would go on to post a 11-1-1 record before dropping his last two fights, including for the empty title of WBO Inter-HONINental to Lou Savarese, 42-4. This brought his final record to 55-13-1 with 38 suspensions in March 2003.

Asking Witherspoon about the heaviest pressure today she said, “I was in the UK and I would have the daughter of Shanayiah Isabella Grace London Witherspoon, her mother’s last name London and my last name, and she’s now 15,” he added, “I met Anthony Joshua, and Tyson Fury. Witherspoon were the shapers, “he said.

“Two years ago, I was taking my daughter to school after waking up in sweat. I felt so bad on the way I went to hospital. The doctor said” You’re a lucky man, if you didn’t come in you would have died due to blood clots, “said Witherspoon.

“My son Tim Witherspoon, Jr., has a boxing gym in Bristol, Pa,” said Witherspoon.

Witherspoon said he stays healthy by drinking smoothies with honey and turmeric, as he took blood thinners. It is very knowledgeable what to take to be healthy.