Tim Witherspoon

Tim Witherspoon
Witherspoon in 2008
Statistics
Nickname(s)	Terrible
Rated at	Heavyweight
Height	6 ft 3 1⁄2 in (192 cm)
Reach	78 in (198 cm)
Nationality	American
Born	(1957-12-27) December 27, 1957 (age 59) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	69
Wins	55
Wins by KO	38
Losses	13
Draws	1

Tim Witherspoon (born December 27, 1957) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1979 to 2003. He is a two-time world heavyweight champion, having held the WBC title in 1984, and the WBA title in 1986. Upon winning his second world title, Witherspoon joined Floyd Patterson and Muhammad Ali as the only boxers to win multiple world heavyweight championships.

Witherspoon also worked as a regular sparring partner for Muhammad Ali. Witherspoon's style was that of a pressure fighter, using an unusual cross-arm guard similar to Ken Norton, with a strong and fast overhand right.

Witherspoon had eight and a half amateur bouts, losing one 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 an impressed 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.

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.

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, then a relative unknown, utilized his awkward cross-arm style, Ali sparring experience, and natural physical strength to fight valiantly. Whilst he lost by a split decision, many thought he'd done enough to win. The result was hotly disputed.