Mike Weaver - 1970s Heavyweights

Mike Weaver had a stellar career winning several different championships despite losing 18 times against 41 victories. But at one point in his career he held the NBA heavyweight title belt, International Boxing Authority championship, the WBA Americas title, the WBA belt, USBA title, USBA title, and the Nevada heavyweight championship. But when he won the WBA heavyweight championship it is a fight that I watched and is one of my all-time favorite finishes. “Big” John Tate was the champion and Weaver was the challenger. Tate had dominated Weaver for 14 rounds, but at the 2:15 mark of the 15th round, Weaver scored a terrific knockout blow that finished Tate and unbelievably gave Weaver the title. Mike Weaver took on all comers of that time including Pinklon Thomas, Bonecrusher Smith, James “Quick” Tillis, Michael Dokes, Gerrie Coetzee, Scott LeDoux, Larry Holmes, Duane Bobick, Carl “The Truth” Williams, and Donovan “Razor” Ruddock. Of his 41 wins, 28 were by KO or TKO.