Mike Weaver (boxer)

2.1. Early Life

Michael Dwayne Weaver was born on June 13, 1951, in Gatesville, Texas, United States. His early life experiences laid the foundation for the discipline and resilience that would define his later career. By 1972, Weaver had relocated to California, where he began his professional boxing journey.

2.2. Marine Corps Service

Before embarking on his professional boxing career, Weaver served as a member of the United States Marine Corps from 1968 to 1971. During his military service, he was deployed to Vietnam, an experience that undoubtedly contributed to his mental toughness and physical conditioning. It was during this period that he began his journey in combat sports, starting with amateur boxing and formal training, which would eventually lead him to the professional ring.

3.1. Debut and Early Career

Weaver made his professional debut on September 14, 1972. In his early career, he was often considered a "journeyman" opponent, frequently brought in on short notice to face more experienced and developed contenders. This period saw him serve as a sparring partner for boxing legends such as Muhammad Ali and Ken Norton. It was Norton who famously bestowed upon Weaver the nickname "Hercules," a testament to his impressive muscle definition and physical prowess. Despite the challenges of his early career, Weaver began to build his record, notably defeating the respected veteran Jody Ballard in 1976. In 1978, he experienced two close decision losses: first to Stan Ward for the California State Heavyweight title, and then to Leroy Jones for the NABF heavyweight title.

3.2. Rise as a Heavyweight Contender

A turning point in Weaver's career came in late 1978 when he acquired a new team and manager. This change catalyzed a remarkable streak of five consecutive knockouts, two of which came against highly ranked opponents. In October 1978, he demonstrated his resilience by recovering from a knockdown to knock out the hard-hitting Colombian boxer Bernardo Mercado in the fifth round. This was followed by a decisive victory in January 1979, when he knocked out his former foe, Stan Ward, in the ninth round to claim the inaugural USBA heavyweight title. These victories solidified his reputation as a legitimate contender in the heavyweight division.

3.3. WBC Heavyweight Title Challenge

Weaver's impressive run earned him a high-profile world title shot against the undefeated WBC champion Larry Holmes on June 22, 1979, at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The emerging cable channel HBO acquired the rights to the fight, as traditional networks viewed it as a significant mismatch due to Weaver's comparatively modest record of 20 wins and 8 losses against Holmes's pristine 30-0 record. However, Weaver defied expectations, engaging Holmes in a brutal and fiercely contested battle. Despite his valiant effort, Holmes ultimately rallied, dropping Weaver with a sharp uppercut in the 11th round and continuing to pound him with powerful rights in the 12th, leading the referee to stop the fight.

3.4. USBA Heavyweight Title

Even in defeat against Larry Holmes, Weaver's surprisingly strong performance elevated his profile significantly, earning him widespread recognition. Later in 1979, he successfully defended his USBA belt against Scott LeDoux on November 24. In this 12-round decision victory, Weaver showcased his boxing skills by outboxing LeDoux rather than engaging in a slugfest, utilizing his jab effectively and earning complimentary reviews for his technical approach.

3.5. WBA Heavyweight Champion

On March 31, 1980, Mike Weaver faced John Tate for the WBA heavyweight title in Tate's hometown of Knoxville, Tennessee. Tate, an amateur star from the 1976 Olympic team, had compiled a 20-0 professional record and won the vacant WBA title by defeating South African Gerrie Coetzee over fifteen rounds in front of 86,000 hostile fans in Pretoria, South Africa. The Weaver vs. Tate bout produced one of the most memorable knockouts in the division's history. The taller Tate dominated Weaver for the first ten rounds, but a battered yet determined Weaver began to turn the tide in the later rounds, pushing Tate backward. Commentators believed it was too late for Weaver to win on points, with only five rounds remaining. However, with just 40 seconds left in the 15th and final round, Weaver caught Tate, who was bouncing off the ropes, with a devastating left hook. Tate was knocked out cold, remaining on the canvas for over a minute. Iconic press photographs captured Weaver doing a handstand in celebration as Tate lay unconscious.

3.6. WBA Title Defenses

After his historic victory, Weaver embarked on his first WBA title defense on October 25, 1980, traveling to Sun City, South Africa, to face Gerrie Coetzee in a rematch. Weaver was hurt and nearly knocked down in the eighth round but rallied in the later stages of the fight, ultimately knocking out Coetzee in the 13th round. This was a significant achievement, as Coetzee, a skilled boxer-puncher, had never been knocked down in either his amateur or professional career prior to this bout. In 1981, after a year of inactivity, Weaver successfully retained his title by outpointing James "Quick" Tillis over 15 rounds in Chicago.

3.7. Loss of WBA Title and Controversy

Following another year of inactivity, Weaver defended his title against the highly regarded Michael Dokes in Las Vegas on December 10, 1982. Dokes started the fight aggressively, dropping Weaver within the opening minute. As Weaver covered up against the ropes and Dokes threw a flurry of punches, referee Joey Curtis controversially stopped the fight after only 1 minute and 3 seconds, awarding Dokes the victory by technical knockout. The timing of the stoppage immediately sparked accusations of a fixed fight from many in the arena.

This controversy occurred just four weeks after the tragic fight between Ray Mancini and Duk Koo Kim at Caesars Palace, where Kim suffered a fatal brain injury. On the morning of the Weaver-Dokes fight, officials from the Nevada State Athletic Commission had explicitly warned all participating officials to prioritize boxer safety to prevent another potential fatality. Referee Curtis later acknowledged, "Everybody has Duk Koo Kim in the back of his mind," referring to the November 13 fight, and confirmed that Dr. Lonnie Hammargren, a neurosurgeon who had attempted to save Kim, was present at the meeting. This context highlights the immense pressure on officials to ensure fighter safety, even if it led to a premature stoppage in the eyes of some. ESPN later ranked this decision as the seventh worst bad call by a referee in a fight in 2008, underscoring the enduring debate surrounding the stoppage.

Weaver was granted a rematch with Dokes on May 20, 1983, for the WBA heavyweight title. The fight went the full 15 rounds and concluded in a majority draw. Judge Jerry Roth scored the fight four points in favor of Dokes, while judges Harold Lederman and Larry Hazzard scored it as an even contest.

3.8. Later Career and Title Challenges

After the Dokes rematch, Weaver continued his career, seeking to regain a world title. In June 1985, he challenged Pinklon Thomas, who held the WBC title at the time, but lost by an eighth-round knockout. Although this marked Weaver's last world title challenge, he continued to demonstrate his power and skill, notably securing a second-round knockout victory over the highly skilled boxer Carl Williams in February 1986. Weaver continued to fight professionally for another 15 years, showcasing remarkable longevity in the sport. His career concluded at the age of 49 on November 17, 2000, with a sixth-round knockout loss in a rematch against his former opponent, Larry Holmes. Weaver stood at 73 in ^{(185 cm)} tall with a reach of 78 in ^{(198 cm)}.

4.1. Career Statistics

Mike Weaver's professional boxing record consists of 60 fights. He secured 41 wins, 28 of which were by knockout, indicating his significant punching power. He suffered 18 losses, with 12 of those being by knockout. Additionally, he recorded 1 draw and 1 win by disqualification.

4.2. Fight Record

5.1. World Championship

Mike Weaver achieved the pinnacle of his career on March 31, 1980, when he won the WBA heavyweight title by knocking out John Tate in the 15th round. He successfully defended this prestigious title twice. His first defense was against Gerrie Coetzee on October 25, 1980, whom he defeated by TKO in the 13th round in South Africa. His second defense came on October 3, 1981, against James Tillis, a fight he won by unanimous decision over 15 rounds. Weaver held the WBA heavyweight title until December 10, 1982, when he controversially lost it to Michael Dokes via a first-round technical knockout.

5.2. Regional and Other Titles

In addition to his world title, Mike Weaver held several regional and other recognized heavyweight championships:

• Nevada Heavyweight Champion**: He won this title on October 22, 1978, by defeating Bernardo Mercado and later vacated it in 1981.
• USBA Heavyweight Champion**: Weaver secured the inaugural USBA heavyweight title on January 18, 1979, by defeating Stan Ward. He held this title until March 1980, when he vacated it to challenge for the WBA world title.
• International Boxing Authority (IBA) Heavyweight Title**: He won the vacant IBA heavyweight title on June 6, 1994, by knocking out Ladislao Mijangos.
• National Boxing Association (NBA) Heavyweight Title**: Weaver won the vacant NBA heavyweight title on September 17, 1994, by defeating Bill Corrigan. He successfully retained this title on June 21, 1995, against George O'Mara.
• WBA Americas Heavyweight Title**: He claimed the vacant WBA Americas heavyweight title on May 1, 1989, by TKOing Lionel Washington. He successfully defended it against Philipp Brown on July 27, 1989, before losing it to James Smith on April 4, 1990.

6.1. Reputation and Nickname

Mike Weaver is widely recognized as one of the best heavyweight boxers of the 1980s, a testament to his ability to compete at the highest level against formidable opponents. His tenacity and physical strength earned him the enduring nickname "Hercules," a moniker famously given to him by boxing legends Muhammad Ali and Ken Norton during his time as a sparring partner. This nickname highlighted his exceptionally developed muscle definition and served as a symbol of his powerful physique and fighting spirit.

6.2. Boxing Style and Influence

Weaver's boxing style was characterized by his toughness, determination, and formidable punching power. While initially known for his slugging, he demonstrated versatility by developing a strong jab and improved boxing skills later in his career, as evidenced by his strategic outboxing of opponents like Scott LeDoux. His resilience was a hallmark, often allowing him to absorb significant punishment before turning the tide of a fight, as dramatically seen in his knockout victory over John Tate. Weaver's career, marked by his underdog story and ability to overcome adversity, serves as an inspiration, reflecting the potential for hard work and perseverance to lead to success in the demanding world of professional boxing.