Akron, OH – Former heavyweight champion Michael Dokes passed away on Saturday. He was 54.
The World Boxing Association announced Dokes, known as "Dynamite," died from liver cancer.
He captured the WBA crown on Dec. 10, 1982 when he grabbed a controversial first-round technical knockout of Mike Weaver. Dokes won that fight after what many boxing pundits believed was a quick stoppage by referee Joey Curtis. Dokes retained his belt with a majority draw in a rematch five months later.
Dokes, who had a career record of 53-6-2 with 34 knockouts, lost his belt after being KOed in the 10th round by Gerrie Coetzee in Sept. 1983. He later fought and lost to Evander Holyfield in 1989 and also was throttled in a first-round TKO by Riddick Bowe in his last chance for a title in 1993.
Dokes also was hampered late in his career and after retirement by cocaine and alcohol abuse. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison after being convicted of attacking his fiancee. Dokes was released on parole in 2008.
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