View source for Tony Tucker

{{short description|American boxer}}
{{for|the American football player|Tony Jaye Tucker Jr.}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2014}}
{{BLP sources|date=August 2015}}
{{Infobox boxer
| name = Tony Tucker
| image = 
| nickname = TNT
| realname = Tony Craig Tucker
| weight = {{plainlist|
*[[Heavyweight]]
}}
| height = 6 ft 5 in
| reach = 82 in
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1958|12|27}}
| birth_place = [[Grand Rapids, Michigan]], U.S.
| style = [[Orthodox stance|Orthodox]]
| total = 65
| wins = 57
| KO = 47
| losses = 7
| no contests = 1
| medaltemplates = 
{{MedalSport | Men's [[amateur boxing]]}}
{{MedalCountry | {{USA}} }}
{{MedalCompetition | [[Pan American Games]]}}
{{MedalGold | [[1979 Pan American Games|1979 San Juan]] | [[Boxing at the 1979 Pan American Games|Light heavyweight]]}}
{{MedalCompetition | [[Boxing World Cup|World Cup]]}}
{{MedalGold | 1979 New York | Light heavyweight}}
}}

'''Tony Craig Tucker''' (born December 27, 1958) is an American former [[professional boxer]] who competed from 1980 to 1998. He won the [[International Boxing Federation|IBF]] [[heavyweight]] title in 1987, and was the shortest-reigning world heavyweight champion at just 64 days. In an interview with [[Barry Tompkins]], he referred to himself as the "invisible champion," due to the press and general public largely neglecting him.<ref name="HBO-Ultimate" /> He is best known for giving [[Mike Tyson]] in his prime a relatively close fight, in which he, in the words of [[Larry Merchant]], "rocked Tyson" in the first round.<ref name="HBO-Ultimate" /> However, Tyson went on to win a unanimous decision. As an [[amateur boxing|amateur]], he won the 1979 United States national championships, the 1979 [[Boxing World Cup|World Cup]], and a gold medal at the [[1979 Pan American Games]], all in the [[light heavyweight]] division.

==Amateur career==
Tony Tucker became a boxer under influence of his father Bob Tucker, also a former amateur boxer, who became his trainer and manager, put all his wealth into the development of his son's boxing career. Tony fought out of Grand Rapids, Michigan, competing almost his entire amateur career in the [[light heavyweight]] division with his billed weight at the 1979 Pan American Games exactly matching the weight limit of the division (178 lbs).<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1979/10/11/archives/felt-forum-features-cup-boxing-tonight-olympic-rules-to-be-used.html Felt Forum Features Cup Boxing Tonight]. [[New York Times]], October 11, 1979.</ref>

Robert Surkein, the national boxing chairman for the [[Amateur Athletic Union]], said of Tucker: “Believe me, he's better than [[Leon Spinks]]. Spinks couldn't hold this kid's gloves at a comparable stage.”<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1979/07/16/archives/american-boxers-striking-gold-more-money-and-interest.html American Boxers Striking Gold]. [[New York Times]], July 16, 1979.</ref> Rollie Schwartz, past national chairman of the AAU Boxing Commission, said of Tucker prior to the Olympics, "Tucker is a combination boxer and puncher, much akin to Joe Louis. He comes right at you. I'd take him tomorrow over the two so-called light Heavyweight champs."<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/437329257/ Schwartz: Sugar Ray Will Feast on Duran] by Pat Rushton, ''Citizens' Voice'', Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, May 3, 1980, p. 29.</ref>

===Highlights===
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
[[United States National Boxing Championships|United States National Championships]], [[Biloxi, Mississippi]], April 1978:
* 1/8: Defeated Jerry Bennett by decision
* 1/2: Lost to Charles Singleton by decision
[[U.S. Olympic Festival|U.S. National Sports Festival]], [[Fort Carson, Colorado]], July 1978:
* Finals: Lost to Elmer Martin by decision
{{gold1}} [[United States National Boxing Championships|United States National Championships]], [[Lake Charles, Louisiana]], May 1979:
* 1/2: Defeated Kelvin Anderson by decision
* Finals: Defeated Andre McCoy by decision
Pan Am Trials, [[Toledo, Ohio]], May–June 1979:
* 1/2: Defeated Elliott Chavis by decision
* Finals: Defeated Andre McCoy by decision
{{col-2}}
{{gold1}} [[1979 Pan American Games|Pan American Games]], [[Roberto Clemente Coliseum]], [[San Juan, Puerto Rico]], July 1979:
* 1/4: Defeated [[Sixto Soria]] (Cuba) by majority decision, 4–1 {{small|(Tucker got cut over his left eye at 1:03 of the 3rd round)}}
* 1/2: Defeated Patrick Fennel (Canada) RSC 3
* Finals: Defeated Dennis Jackson (Puerto Rico) by unanimous decision, 5–0 {{small|(Jackson knocked down at 1:46 of the 1st rd)}}
{{gold1}} [[Boxing World Cup|World Cup]], [[Felt Forum]], [[New York City]], October 1979:
* 1/4: Defeated [[Benny Pike]] (Australia) by unanimous decision, 5–0
* 1/2: Defeated Kurt Seiler (West Germany) by unanimous decision, 5–0
* Finals: Defeated Albert Nikolyan (Soviet Union) by unanimous decision, 5–0
{{col-2}}
{{col-end}}
; International Duals
* February 1, 1979, [[Blackham Coliseum]], [[Lafayette, Louisiana]]: Lost to Nikolay Yerofeyev (Soviet Union) by decision
* February 11, 1979, [[Estadio Latinamericano]], [[Havana, Cuba]]: Lost to Hermenegildo Báez (Cuba) by decision
* February 24, 1979, [[Blackham Coliseum]], [[Lafayette, Louisiana]]: Defeated Jacek Kucharczyk (Poland) by split decision, 2–1
* February 10, 1980, [[Charlotte Coliseum]], [[Charlotte, North Carolina]]: Defeated Orestes Pedroso (Cuba)
* February 25, 1980, [[Blaisdell Arena]], [[Honolulu, Hawaii]]: Defeated Ene Saipaia (Hawaii)
* March 1980, [[Schwerin]], [[East Germany]]: Lost to [[Herbert Bauch]] (East Germany) by walkover
* March 1980, [[Schwerin]], [[East Germany]]: Lost to Werner Kohnert (East Germany) by split decision, 1–2
* March 1980, [[Rostock]], [[East Germany]]: Lost to [[Jürgen Fanghänel]] (East Germany) DQ 1

===1980  Olympics===
Since 1979 Tony Tucker anticipated participating in the Moscow Olympics.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1979/08/13/archives/us-athletes-look-to-moscow-optimism-but-apprehension-optimism.html U.S. Athletes Look to Moscow: Optimism but Apprehension]. [[New York Times]], August 13, 1979.</ref><ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/171573371/ Amateur boxing strong enough to survive boycott] by Ed Schuyler (Associated Press), ''The Philadelphia Inquirer'', May 21, 1980, p. 25.</ref> Tucker was an alternate for the United States Olympic Team for the [[1980 Summer Olympics]] (Lee Roy Murphy qualified as the prime.) President [[Jimmy Carter]] ordered to [[1980 Summer Olympics boycott|boycott the Olympics]], which led the U.S. Team to cancel its participation in the Olympics, instead it embarked on a series of [[exhibition fight|exhibitions]] in Europe. On March 14, 1980, en route to [[Poland]], their plane [[LOT Polish Airlines Flight 7|Polish Airlines IL-62 crashed near Warsaw]], with the  U.S. boxing team aboard, consisting of 22 boxers, there were no survivors. Several people, including Tony Tucker, missed the flight and stayed in the United States due to various reasons,  in Tucker's case an injury sustained just prior to the accident. At that point Tucker became religious, believing that God spared his life for a purpose, in order for him to become the heavyweight champion of the world. Shortly thereafter Tucker turned pro.<ref>A Shaken Tony Tucker Thanks God For His Life.</ref><ref name="HBO-Ultimate" /><ref>[https://newspaperarchive.com/elyria-chronicle-telegram-mar-15-1980-p-3/ The Dead Boxers] by Ronnie Shields, ''Elyria Chronicle Telegram'', March 15, 1980, p. 3.</ref>

Tucker finished his amateur career having 121 fights under his belt, with a record of 115–6.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060707231055/http://boxing-records.com/palm/voirpalma.phtml?boxeur=tuckerto.html Tony Tucker Amateur Record] at the BoxingRecords. Last updated : March 1, 2006.</ref><ref>[https://newspaperarchive.com/colorado-springs-gazette-telegraph-jul-31-1987-p-26/ Unbeaten Tucker is 10-1 underdog], ''Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph'', July 31, 1987, p. 26.</ref>

==Professional career==
After turning pro in 1980, Tucker's early fights were often shown on NBC, as part of a collection known as "Tomorrow's Champions".

Tucker's progress in the professional ranks was slow. He was injury-prone, missing more than a year with a knee injury suffered in a bout against Danny Sutton. Tucker also changed managers and trainers several times; his father, Bob Tucker, eventually performed both roles. After enjoying a high profile upon his professional debut, Tucker boxed in non-televised bouts for the majority of the 1980s.

In June 1984, he scored a win by knocking out [[Eddie "The Animal" Lopez]] in nine rounds on the undercard of the [[Tommy Hearns]]&ndash;[[Roberto Durán]] fight. It was the first time Lopez had ever been knocked down. Tucker followed it up in September by outpointing [[Jimmy Young (boxer)|Jimmy Young]] .

In September 1986, Tucker finally landed a big fight, against 242&nbsp;lb [[James "Broad-Axe" Broad]], for the [[United States Boxing Association|USBA]] belt and a world title eliminator. Tucker won by unanimous decision.

===IBF heavyweight champion===

==== Tucker vs Douglas ====
Home Box Office and [[Don King (boxing promoter)|Don King]] Productions orchestrated a [[heavyweight unification series]] for 1987, planning among its bouts a match between Tucker and reigning [[International Boxing Federation|IBF]] champion [[Michael Spinks]]. Spinks refused to face Tucker, opting instead for a more lucrative bout with [[Gerry Cooney]]. The IBF stripped Spinks of the championship on February 19, mandating that Tucker (as its #1-ranked contender) face its number-two contender, [[Buster Douglas]], the very man who would eventually dethrone Tyson. As the [[Mike Tyson vs. Pinklon Thomas|co-feature of reining unified champion Mike Tyson and ex-champ Pinklon Thomas]], Tucker won the bout and the vacant IBF crown via tenth-round technical knockout.

==== Tucker vs. Tyson ====
{{Main article|Mike Tyson vs. Tony Tucker}}
Tucker, as the winner of the IBF title, was obliged to immediately defend his title in a unification bout with [[World Boxing Association|WBA]] and [[World Boxing Council|WBC]] champion [[Mike Tyson]] 64 days after winning the title, in what would be the tournament final, where Tucker was a 10-to-1 underdog.<ref name="HBO-Ultimate" /> Before Tucker was managed by [[Emmanuel Steward]], who received a negotiated percent of each payday. By that time for that same purpose a [[joint venture]] named Tucker Inc. was formed by his promoters [[Cedric Kushner]] (18% of total share), and [[Josephine Abercrombie]] with Jeff Levine (also 18%), partnering with Dennis Rappaport and Alan Kornberg (13%,) and lastly Emmanuel Steward (6%). His father Bob Tucker also secured a share in Tucker Inc. (12%)<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=X8qxDgAAQBAJ&pg=PT110 A Ringside Affair: Boxing’s Last Golden Age], p. 110.</ref>

Before the fight versus Tyson, Tucker had been on an eight-year-long [[winning streak (sports)|winning streak]], his last defeat was in 1979, while competing in amateurs.

Despite having a broken right hand, Tucker faced Tyson on August 1, 1987.<ref>Gustkey, Earl (January 5, 1990). [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-01-05-sp-256-story.html "For One Moment, Tucker Had It All : Boxing: He came closest to beating Tyson in 1987 and now yearns for another shot at title."]. ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''. [[tronc]]. Retrieved December 29, 2016.</ref> [[Mike Tyson vs. Tony Tucker|Tyson defeated Tucker by unanimous decision]] to unify the three championship titles, leaving Tucker with the shortest world championship reign in the history of the heavyweight division (64 days). According to the HBO Punch Statistics, Tucker landed 174 of 452 punches thrown, while Tyson landed 216 of 412, and in fact outjabbed Tucker, who had more than a 10-inch reach advantage (81{{frac|1|2}}" to 71").<ref name="HBO-Ultimate" />

HBO host and boxing great [[Sugar Ray Leonard]] said: "What Tucker displayed tonight was the fact that he is a non-conformist. He did what a lot of us thought he couldn't do, and that's why I respect him so much, because he boxed, he clinched, he was very strategic, very tactical, very intelligent fighter."<ref name="HBO-Ultimate">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01sOXFk-ZBs&t=794 Mike Tyson vs Tony Tucker 31st of 58 - Aug. 1987 "The Ultimate"]</ref>

Coincidentally, this exact scenario would unfold again eight years later to give Tucker another title shot.

===Comeback===
{{Main article|Lennox Lewis vs. Tony Tucker}}

Tucker returned to boxing in 1989 and was back in Don King's stable by 1992. He won the NABF belt with a 12-round split decision over highly-ranked [[Orlin Norris]] and successfully defended it against future world champion [[Oliver McCall]], winning another 12-round split decision. He finished 1992 with a sixth-round TKO of Frankie Swindell and set himself up for another world title shot.

Tucker had run his record up to 48–1 and challenged [[Lennox Lewis]] for the WBC world heavyweight title in May 1993. [[Lennox Lewis vs. Tony Tucker|Lewis won a 12-round unanimous decision]], knocking the challenger down twice in the process. The 34-year-old Tucker had never been off his feet in his pro career until this bout.

{{quote box|width=33%|align=right|quote="They tried to force me to fight Tony Tucker. And I remember looking at Tony Tucker, and saying, 'Mama didn't raise no fools. I'm not fighting him.' And they took the titles. Some people I'm not gonna fight. That's the good reason. I didn't want to fight him. Too tough."|source=—[[George Foreman]], on his refusal to fight Tucker.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzWCHbZRzR4&t=3162 George Foreman | Full Address and Q&A] (13 July 2016), [[Oxford Union]].</ref>}}
After beating [[Michael Moorer]] in November 1994 to become the oldest world heavyweight champion in history, [[George Foreman]] began negotiations in early 1995 to make the first defense of his WBA and IBF titles against German mid-level prospect [[Axel Schulz]].<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1995/01/04/sports/sports-people-boxing-schulz-of-germany-looks-to-foreman.html "Schulz of Germany Looks to Foreman", ''The New York Times'', 1995-01-04, Retrieved 2013-10-15.]</ref> As Schulz was not ranked by either organization, Foreman could not defend their championships against Schulz without their permission.

The IBF granted Foreman permission to face Schulz, which Foreman ultimately did. However, the WBA refused, insisting that Foreman instead face Tucker, their organization's #1-ranked contender.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1995/01/28/sports/sports-people-boxing-wba-says-no-to-foreman.html "W.B.A. Says No to Foreman", ''The New York Times'', 1995-01-28, Retrieved on 2013-10-15.]</ref>

The situation in which Tucker had found himself in 1987 now played out again: the WBA vacated the title due to Foreman's non-compliance, setting up an April 1995 title bout between Tucker and number-two contender [[Bruce Seldon]]. Seldon won by TKO after seven rounds when doctors stopped the fight due to Tucker's eye closing shut.

Tucker lost his chance at a rematch later that year when he lost a ten-round decision to a newly-signed Don King heavyweight, British-Nigerian boxer [[Henry Akinwande]].

In 1996 he was outpointed by old rival [[Orlin Norris]]. He scored two low-key wins in California, and in 1997 traveled to the U.K. to challenge [[Herbie Hide]] for the vacant WBO title. Tucker was dropped three times en route to a second-round knockout.

In 1998 Tucker challenged [[John Ruiz]] for his NABF belt. Despite a big sixth round in which he had Ruiz in trouble, Tucker was eventually stopped in the 11th round.

He came back in May to knock out journeyman [[Billy Wright (boxer)|Billy Wright]] in one round, but later had his license revoked due to medical concerns about Tucker's vision.

==Professional boxing record==
{{BoxingRecordSummary
|nc=1
|ko-wins=47
|ko-losses=3
|dec-wins=10
|dec-losses=4
}}
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center
|-
!{{abbr|No.|Number}}
!Result
!Record
!Opponent
!Type
!Round, time
!Date
!Location
!Notes
|-
|65
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{nowrap|57–7 {{small|(1)}}}}
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Billy Wright (boxer)|Billy Wright]]
|KO
|1 (10), {{small|2:08}}
|May 7, 1998
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Sam's Town Hotel & Casino, [[Tunica, Mississippi]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|64
|{{no2}}Loss
|56–7 {{small|(1)}}
|style="text-align:left;"|[[John Ruiz]]
|TKO
|11 (12), {{small|0:58}}
|Jan 31, 1998
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Ice Palace (Tampa)|Ice Palace]], [[Tampa, Florida]], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|For NABF heavyweight title}}
|-
|63
|{{yes2}}Win
|56–6 {{small|(1)}}
|style="text-align:left;"|Jerry Haynes
|TKO
|3 (10)
|Dec 16, 1997
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Music City Mix Factory, Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.}}
|
|-
|62
|{{yes2}}Win
|55–6 {{small|(1)}}
|style="text-align:left;"|Abdul Muhaymin
|UD
|10
|Nov 18, 1997
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Music City Mix Factory, Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.}}
|
|-
|61
|{{no2}}Loss
|54–6 {{small|(1)}}
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Herbie Hide]]
|TKO
|2 (12), {{small|2:45}}
|Jun 28, 1997
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Sports Village, [[Norwich]], England}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|For vacant [[list of WBO world champions#Heavyweight|WBO heavyweight title]]}}
|-
|60
|{{yes2}}Win
|54–5 {{small|(1)}}
|style="text-align:left;"|Tyrone Campbell
|KO
|3 (10), {{small|2:16}}
|Dec 16, 1996
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S.}}
|
|-
|59
|{{yes2}}Win
|53–5 {{small|(1)}}
|style="text-align:left;"|David Dixon
|KO
|1 (12), {{small|2:24}}
|Jun 29, 1996
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Fantasy Springs Resort Casino]], [[Indio, California]], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won vacant NABF heavyweight title}}
|-
|58
|{{no2}}Loss
|52–5 {{small|(1)}}
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Orlin Norris]]
|{{abbr|MD|Majority decision}}
|10
|Feb 24, 1996
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Richmond Coliseum|Coliseum]], [[Richmond, Virginia]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|57
|{{no2}}Loss
|52–4 {{small|(1)}}
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Henry Akinwande]]
|UD
|10
|[[Mike Tyson vs. Buster Mathis Jr.|Dec 16, 1995]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[CoreStates Spectrum]], [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|56
|{{no2}}Loss
|52–3 {{small|(1)}}
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Bruce Seldon]]
|RTD
|7 (12), {{small|3:00}}
|[[Tony Tucker vs. Bruce Seldon|Apr 8, 1995]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|For vacant WBA heavyweight title}}
|-
|55
|{{yes2}}Win
|52–2 {{small|(1)}}
|style="text-align:left;"|Dan Murphy
|TKO
|3
|[[Julio César Chávez vs. Tony Lopez|Dec 10, 1994]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Estadio de Béisbol Monterrey|Estadio de Béisbol]], [[Monterrey]], Mexico}}
|
|-
|54
|{{yes2}}Win
|51–2 {{small|(1)}}
|style="text-align:left;"|Cecil Coffee
|TKO
|2 (10)
|Jul 2, 1994
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|The Mirage, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.}}
|
|-
|53
|{{yes2}}Win
|50–2 {{small|(1)}}
|style="text-align:left;"|George Stephens
|TKO
|1 (10)
|Feb 19, 1994
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Charlotte Coliseum|Coliseum]], [[Charlotte, North Carolina]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|52
|{{yes2}}Win
|49–2 {{small|(1)}}
|style="text-align:left;"|David Graves
|TKO
|2
|Dec 18, 1993
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Estadio Cuauhtémoc]], [[Puebla City]], Mexico}}
|
|-
|51
|{{no2}}Loss
|48–2 {{small|(1)}}
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Lennox Lewis]]
|UD
|12
|[[Lennox Lewis vs. Tony Tucker|May 8, 1993]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|For WBC heavyweight title}}
|-
|50
|{{yes2}}Win
|48–1 {{small|(1)}}
|style="text-align:left;"|Frankie Swindell
|{{abbr|RTD|Corner retirement}}
|6 (10), {{small|3:00}}
|Dec 13, 1992
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|The Mirage, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.}}
|
|-
|49
|{{yes2}}Win
|47–1 {{small|(1)}}
|style="text-align:left;"|Paul Poirier
|TKO
|4 (10)
|Nov 7, 1992
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Caesars Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada, U.S.}}
|
|-
|48
|{{yes2}}Win
|46–1 {{small|(1)}}
|style="text-align:left;"|Everett Martin
|PTS
|10
|[[Julio César Chávez vs. Héctor Camacho|Sep 12, 1992]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Thomas & Mack Center]], Paradise, Nevada, U.S.}}
|
|-
|47
|{{yes2}}Win
|45–1 {{small|(1)}}
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Oliver McCall]]
|SD
|10
|Jun 26, 1992
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[CSU Convocation Center]], [[Cleveland, Ohio]], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained NABF heavyweight title}}
|-
|46
|{{yes2}}Win
|44–1 {{small|(1)}}
|style="text-align:left;"|Jesus Contreras
|TKO
|6 (10), {{small|1:27}}
|Apr 22, 1992
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Brendan Byrne Arena]], [[East Rutherford, New Jersey]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|45
|{{yes2}}Win
|43–1 {{small|(1)}}
|style="text-align:left;"|Mike Faulkner
|KO
|2
|Apr 10, 1992
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Toreo de Cuatro Caminos, [[Mexico City]], Mexico}}
|
|-
|44
|{{yes2}}Win
|42–1 {{small|(1)}}
|style="text-align:left;"|Kimmuel Odum
|TKO
|2 (10), {{small|1:40}}
|Feb 15, 1992
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[The Mirage]], Paradise, Nevada, U.S.}}
|
|-
|43
|{{yes2}}Win
|41–1 {{small|(1)}}
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Orlin Norris]]
|{{abbr|SD|Split decision}}
|12
|[[Virgil Hill vs. Thomas Hearns|Jun 3, 1991]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won [[list of NABF champions#Heavyweight|NABF heavyweight title]]}}
|-
|42
|{{yes2}}Win
|40–1 {{small|(1)}}
|style="text-align:left;"|James Ray Thomas
|KO
|1 (10), {{small|1:43}}
|Apr 29, 1991
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.}}
|
|-
|41
|{{yes2}}Win
|39–1 {{small|(1)}}
|style="text-align:left;"|Lionel Washington
|KO
|1 (12), {{small|1:11}}
|Jan 28, 1991
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won California State heavyweight title}}
|-
|40
|{{yes2}}Win
|38–1 {{small|(1)}}
|style="text-align:left;"|Mike Rouse
|TKO
|5 (10), {{small|2:27}}
|Jul 19, 1990
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Kingdome]], [[Seattle, Washington]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|39
|{{yes2}}Win
|37–1 {{small|(1)}}
|style="text-align:left;"|Mike Evans
|UD
|10
|Mar 8, 1990
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.}}
|
|-
|38
|{{yes2}}Win
|36–1 {{small|(1)}}
|style="text-align:left;"|Calvin Jones
|KO
|5 (10), {{small|2:09}}
|Jan 8, 1990
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Great Western Forum]], [[Inglewood, California]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|37
|{{yes2}}Win
|35–1 {{small|(1)}}
|style="text-align:left;"|Dino Homsey
|KO
|3 (10), {{small|1:37}}
|Dec 12, 1989
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena|Memorial Sports Arena]], [[Los Angeles, California]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|36
|{{no2}}Loss
|34–1 {{small|(1)}}
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Mike Tyson]]
|UD
|12
|[[Mike Tyson vs. Tony Tucker|Aug 1, 1987]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Lost IBF heavyweight title;<br>For [[list of WBA world champions#Heavyweight|WBA]] and [[list of WBC world champions#Heavyweight|WBC heavyweight titles]]}}
|-
|35
|{{yes2}}Win
|34–0 {{small|(1)}}
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Buster Douglas]]
|TKO
|10 (15), {{small|1:36}}
|[[Tony Tucker vs. Buster Douglas|May 30, 1987]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Las Vegas Hilton]], [[Winchester, Nevada]], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won vacant [[list of IBF world champions#Heavyweight|IBF heavyweight title]]}}
|-
|34
|{{yes2}}Win
|33–0 {{small|(1)}}
|style="text-align:left;"|[[James Broad]]
|UD
|12
|Sep 26, 1986
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won vacant [[International Boxing Federation|USBA]] [[heavyweight]] title}}
|-
|33
|{{yes2}}Win
|32–0 {{small|(1)}}
|style="text-align:left;"|Otis Bates
|KO
|2
|Aug 7, 1986
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Houston, Texas, U.S.}}
|
|-
|32
|{{yes2}}Win
|31–0 {{small|(1)}}
|style="text-align:left;"|Eddie Richardson
|KO
|4 (10)
|Jul 10, 1986
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Houston, Texas]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|31
|{{yes2}}Win
|30–0 {{small|(1)}}
|style="text-align:left;"|Eddie Richardson
|UD
|10
|Feb 27, 1986
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Cobo Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.}}
|
|-
|30
|{{yes2}}Win
|29–0 {{small|(1)}}
|style="text-align:left;"|[[David Jaco]]
|TKO
|3
|Oct 19, 1985
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Stade Louis II]], [[Monte Carlo]], Monaco}}
|
|-
|29
|{{yes2}}Win
|28–0 {{small|(1)}}
|style="text-align:left;"|Bobby Crabtree
|TKO
|4 (10)
|Jun 28, 1985
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Hammond, Indiana]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|28
|{{yes2}}Win
|27–0 {{small|(1)}}
|style="text-align:left;"|Danny Sutton
|UD
|10
|Nov 2, 1984
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Congress Plaza Hotel, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|
|-
|27
|{{yes2}}Win
|26–0 {{small|(1)}}
|style="text-align:left;"|O. T. Davis
|KO
|1 (10), {{small|1:58}}
|Nov 2, 1984
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Cobo Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.}}
|
|-
|26
|{{yes2}}Win
|25–0 {{small|(1)}}
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Jimmy Young (boxer)|Jimmy Young]]
|{{abbr|UD|Unanimous decision}}
|10
|Sep 22, 1984
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Gerald R. Ford Fieldhouse]], [[Grand Rapids, Michigan]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|25
|{{yes2}}Win
|24–0 {{small|(1)}}
|style="text-align:left;"|Eddie Lopez
|KO
|9 (10), {{small|1:26}}
|[[Thomas Hearns vs. Roberto Durán|Jun 15, 1984]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.}}
|
|-
|24
|{{yes2}}Win
|23–0 {{small|(1)}}
|style="text-align:left;"|Dave Johnson
|TKO
|2 (10), {{small|1:16}}
|May 9, 1984
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Bismarck Hotel]], Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|
|-
|23
|{{yes2}}Win
|22–0 {{small|(1)}}
|style="text-align:left;"|Walter Santemore
|TKO
|1, {{small|2:29}}
|Apr 19, 1984
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Cobo Hall, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.}}
|
|-
|22
|{{yes2}}Win
|21–0 {{small|(1)}}
|style="text-align:left;"|Sam Jeter
|KO
|1 (10), {{small|1:29}}
|Mar 15, 1984
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Congress Plaza Hotel, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|
|-
|21
|{{yes2}}Win
|20–0 {{small|(1)}}
|style="text-align:left;"|Larry Givens
|KO
|4 (10), {{small|2:30}}
|Feb 24, 1984
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Congress Plaza Hotel, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|
|-
|20
|{{yes2}}Win
|19–0 {{small|(1)}}
|style="text-align:left;"|James Dixon
|TKO
|6 (10), {{small|2:58}}
|Dec 20, 1983
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Congress Plaza Hotel]], Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|
|-
|19
|{{yes2}}Win
|18–0 {{small|(1)}}
|style="text-align:left;"|Lynwood Jones
|KO
|5 (10), {{small|2:12}}
|Dec 1, 1983
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Da Vinci Manor, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|
|-
|18
|{{yes2}}Win
|17–0 {{small|(1)}}
|style="text-align:left;"|James Holly
|TKO
|1 (4)
|Nov 7, 1983
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Da Vinci Manor, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|
|-
|17
|style="background:#DDD"|{{abbr|NC|No contest}}
|16–0 {{small|(1)}}
|style="text-align:left;"|Danny Sutton
|TKO
|3 (10)
|Aug 12, 1982
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Hyatt Regency, [[Nashville, Tennessee]], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Originally TKO win for Sutton after Tucker was unable to continue from an accidental clash of knees, later ruled NC}}
|-
|16
|{{yes2}}Win
|16–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Richard Cade
|TKO
|7
|Jul 8, 1982
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Sands Atlantic City|Sands]], Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.}}
|
|-
|15
|{{yes2}}Win
|15–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Lupe Guerra
|TKO
|2, {{small|1:36}}
|Jun 30, 1982
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|War Memorial Arena, Syracuse, New York, U.S.}}
|
|-
|14
|{{yes2}}Win
|14–0
|style="text-align:left;"|James Dixon
|{{abbr|PTS|Points decision}}
|8
|Jun 15, 1982
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Tropicana, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.}}
|
|-
|13
|{{yes2}}Win
|13–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Charles Atlas
|TKO
|1 (10), {{small|2:05}}
|Jun 5, 1982
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[War Memorial Arena (Syracuse)|War Memorial Arena]], [[Syracuse, New York]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|12
|{{yes2}}Win
|12–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Grady Daniels
|TKO
|5
|May 18, 1982
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Tropicana Atlantic City|Tropicana]], Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.}}
|
|-
|11
|{{yes2}}Win
|11–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Frank Farmer
|KO
|1
|Oct 17, 1981
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Traverse City, Michigan, U.S.}}
|
|-
|10
|{{yes2}}Win
|10–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Harvey Steichen
|TKO
|3 (8), {{small|0:50}}
|Sep 16, 1981
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Caesars Palace]], Paradise, Nevada, U.S.}}
|
|-
|9
|{{yes2}}Win
|9–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Jerry Hunter
|KO
|1
|Aug 22, 1981
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Glacier Arena, [[Traverse City, Michigan]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|8
|{{yes2}}Win
|8–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Chip Tyler
|TKO
|7 (8)
|Apr 30, 1981
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Hacienda (Las Vegas)|Hacienda Resort Hotel and Casino]], [[Paradise, Nevada]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|7
|{{yes2}}Win
|7–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Al Jones
|TKO
|1 (10)
|Apr 9, 1981
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Cobo Hall, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.}}
|
|-
|6
|{{yes2}}Win
|6–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Robert Evans
|TKO
|6 (6)
|Feb 23, 1981
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Boardwalk Hall|Convention Hall]], [[Atlantic City, New Jersey]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|5
|{{yes2}}Win
|5–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Willie Kents
|KO
|1 (6)
|Jan 29, 1981
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Cobo Hall]], [[Detroit|Detroit, Michigan]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|4
|{{yes2}}Win
|4–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Victor Rodriguez
|{{abbr|TKO|Technical knockout}}
|2 (6), {{small|2:17}}
|Jan 16, 1981
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[HemisFair Arena]], [[San Antonio, Texas]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|3
|{{yes2}}Win
|3–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Max Smith
|KO
|5 (6)
|Dec 11, 1980
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[International Amphitheatre]], [[Chicago, Illinois]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|2
|{{yes2}}Win
|2–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Jesse Clark
|KO
|1 (6), {{small|2:04}}
|Dec 2, 1980
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Toledo Sports Arena|Sports Arena]], [[Toledo, Ohio]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|1
|{{yes2}}Win
|1–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Chuck Gardner
|{{abbr|KO|Knockout}}
|3 (6), {{small|2:58}}
|Nov 1, 1980
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Caesars Tahoe]], [[Stateline, Nevada]], U.S.}}
|
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Boxrec|id=000495}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-sports}}
{{s-text|style=background:#C1D8FF; font-weight: bold;|text=Amateur boxing titles}}
{{s-before|before=Elmer Martin}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[United States national amateur boxing light heavyweight champions|U.S. light heavyweight champion]]
|years=1979}}
{{s-after|after=[[Jeff Lampkin]]}}
{{s-text|style=background:#C1D8FF; font-weight: bold;|text=Regional boxing titles}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-vac|last=[[Trevor Berbick]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[International Boxing Federation|USBA]] [[heavyweight]] champion
|years=September 26, 1986 – [[Mike Tyson vs. Pinklon Thomas|May 30, 1987]]<br>Won IBF title}}
{{s-vac|next=[[Carl Williams (boxer)|Carl Williams]]}}
{{s-bef|before=Lionel Washington}}
{{s-ttl|title=California State heavyweight champion
|years=January 28, 1991 – February 1993<br>Vacated}}
{{s-vac|next=[[Lionel Butler]]}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Orlin Norris]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of NABF champions#Heavyweight|NABF heavyweight champion]]
|years=June 3, 1991 – December 1992<br>Vacated}}
{{s-vac|next=[[Alex García (boxer)|Alex García]]}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-vac|last=Alexander Zolkin}}
{{s-ttl|title=NABF heavyweight champion
|years=June 29, 1996 – December 1996<br>Vacated}}
{{s-vac|next=[[John Ruiz]]}}
{{s-text|style=background:#C1D8FF; font-weight: bold;|text=World boxing titles}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-vac|last=[[Michael Spinks]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of IBF world champions#Heavyweight|IBF heavyweight champion]]
|years=May 30, 1987 – [[Mike Tyson vs. Tony Tucker|August 1, 1987]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Mike Tyson]]}}
{{s-ach|rec}}
{{s-bef|before=[[James Smith (boxer)|James Smith]]<br>86 days}}
{{s-ttl|title={{nowrap|Shortest world heavyweight title reign}}<br>64 days
|years=May 30, 1987 – August 1, 1987}}
{{s-inc}}
{{s-end}}

{{Footer Pan American Champions Light Heavyweight}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tucker, Tony}}
[[Category:1958 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Heavyweight boxers]]
[[Category:African-American boxers]]
[[Category:American male boxers]]
[[Category:Winners of the United States Championship for amateur boxers]]
[[Category:Boxers from Michigan]]
[[Category:Martial artists from Grand Rapids, Michigan]]
[[Category:International Boxing Federation champions]]
[[Category:World heavyweight boxing champions]]
[[Category:Boxers at the 1979 Pan American Games]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 1979 Pan American Games]]
[[Category:Pan American Games gold medalists for the United States in boxing]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American sportsmen]]
[[Category:21st-century American sportsmen]]
[[Category:20th-century American sportsmen]]