PINKLON THOMAS
Date / site: May 30, 1987/ Las Vegas Hilton
Division: Heavyweight
Records: Tyson 29-0, Thomas 29-1-1
At stake: Tyson’s WBA and WBC titles
Result: Tyson TKO 6
Background: Thomas had lost his title to Trevor Berbick by a close decision in a significant upset the previous year but he was a good, experienced boxer-puncher and arguably a stiffer test than that posed by Berbick. Thomas used what Phil Berger of the New York Times called “jab-and-grab tactics,” which frustrated Tyson to some degree. Until Round 6, that is. A left hook staggered Thomas and Tyson, sensing the end was near, followed with a horrific flurry of hard, accurate lefts and rights that put Thomas on his back. Referee Carlos Padilla had started his count when Thomas’ trainer, Angelo Dundee, entered the ring to save his fighter from further punishment and the fight was stopped. Tyson had demonstrated once again how he could change a fight with one punch and the killer instinct to make sure the job was finished. “I knew it was not going to last,” Tyson said. “He didn’t have anything for me.”