BOXING'S HALL OF FAN FAVORITES

  Larry Holmes vs Michael Spinks #1 Post-fight Press Conference   Sept. 21, 1985 Las Vegas, Nevada      Just hours after one of boxing’s most unexpected upsets, dethroned heavyweight king Larry Holmes stepped up to the microphone and expressed his thoughts. He had just lost the precious IBF heavyweight title which he held with an iron grip for over 7 years. It was his first loss as a professional, leaving him just 1 win short of tying the 49-0 record compiled by the great Rocky Marciano.    As great as he was, few boxing experts really thought that undisputed Light Heavyweight champion Michael Spinks would be the man to dethrone the heavyweight king. It was a razor thin, but unanimous decision on scores of 145-142, 143-142, and 143-142 in favor of the new IBF heavyweight champion – Spinks.    At the post-fight press conference, Holmes stepped up to the microphone and unleashed a calm and controlled, but obviously angry monol...

 Nickname: Pee Wee    After a very successful run as an amateur boxer, Houston's Ed "Pee Wee" Parker turned pro on Sept. 11, 1985. Parker scored a 3rd round technical knockout over fellow Texan David Gonzalez.  Few knew it at the time, but it was a very tough way to start out his career, Gonzalez would go on to win the California State Lightweight title, the NABF Welterweight title, and would fight for the WBC Jr. Middleweight world title!  Parker's management must have believed in his skills because he was put in with some pretty high level opposition from the start.     Parker went 6-0 with 3 ko's before taking the rematch with David Gonzalez. It was another great matchup, but this time it was Gonzalez winning via 8 round decision.  Parker took his first loss in a very tough fight.    2 fights later, Parker found his self fighting for his first title belt. Just a little over 1 year from his pro debut, the 7-1 Parker faced another ...

   Nickname: The Torch    Phoenix Arizona's Johnny Vasquez turned professional May 1, 1989.  He was a successful amateur, and began his pro career with a 2nd round tko over Albuquerque's Chino Sanchez.      He ran his record to 7-0, winning 5 by knockoout before being put in with another hot prospect, Las Vegas Nevada's Les "Fabulous" Fabri (11-1-2) on the undercard of Michael Carbajal/Tony DeLuca.  It was a close fight that went the full 8 rounds, but it was the light hitting/slick boxing Fabri that got the split decision win in the battle of promising southpaws.      Johnny's first loss didn't slow him down at all.  It was a good showing against a respected and crafty boxer, and less than a month later, Vasquez returned with a unanimous decision win against another young hot-shot - El Salvador's Frank Avelar (6-1).  Johnny "The Torch" was back on track.      After 5 more wins against re...

Nickname: Desert Storm    Akron Ohio's Robert C. Davis Jr. was successful in the amateur ranks and turned professional at what is considered a "late age" - in 1997.  He was 26 years old when he made his professional Debut - a first round knockout of fellow Ohioan Don Davis at a place called "The Trap Nightclub" in Nashville, TN.    The U.S. Military Veteran known as "Desert Storm" ran his record up to 14-0, with 8 knockouts and got his first big test in highly regarded Sherman "The Tank" Williams (13-2) at the Grand Casino in Tunica, MS. Davis passed his test with flying colors as he stopped "The Tank" in round 5 of a bout scheduled for 8 rounds.  It was a big win that opened the door onto the stage of heavyweight Prospect-to-Contenders for Robert Davis. From this point on, the level of competition was raised.    Less than 2 months later, Davis was put in with 46 fight respected journeyman - Reggie Miller (27-15-1) and it was no pr...

 Nickname: THE BOSS    Joe Hipp opened his career against Steve Cortez on August 29, 1987 at the County Fairgrounds in Eugene, Oregon. His pro debut bout was on the undercard of Leon Spinks vs Jim Ashard.  Hipp dropped Cortez in the first round, and cruised on to a 4 round unanimoous win.  He would lose his next bout against Veti Katoa, after suffering a fractured jaw and having the bout stopped by the rinside physician. The Southpaw heavyweight Hipp started at 1-1, and that is when he went on a 16-fight winning streak that included two wins over the man who handed Joe his only loss - Veti Katoa - winning a 5 round decision in their 2nd meeting, and then sealing it with a 3rd round tko stoppage in the 3rd and final fight of the trilogy.    That winning streak included wins over Cleveland Woods, Sean McClain, and fellow Montana Native, and former IBF World Cruiserweight champion Marvin Camel. Joe Hipp fought for his first title belt on Jan. 14. 1991. He...

 Nickname: "Council of War"    Washington D.C.'s Andrew Council opened his pro boxing career on Nov. 14, 1990 and started with a 1st round knockout win over fellow DC'er Michael Duncan.    He won his next fight and at 2-0, he was put in a battle of young east coast unbeatens against Brooklyn, NY's Lonnie Davis (3-0) on the undercard of Frank Tate vs Uriah Grant.  Council took his first loss by a unanimous decision over 4 rounds.    Andrew was now 2-1, and he came back with a unanimous 6-round decision win over 26-fight veteran Robert Sawyer. Next was a 2nd round knockout win over Mark Simmons who also came into that fight with amark of 3-1, and then a surprising draw against South Africa's Mpush Makambi, followed by a mild upset loss to tough and well respected Ricky "Time Bomb" Thomas by decision.  Council's place in the landscape of possible title contenders looked a little unclear as he now stood at 4-2-1.    Council's record may...