About

About Pinklon Thomas

Former World WBC & IBO Heavyweight Champion, Pinklon Thomas who fought orthodox, has been a warrior, fighter, and role model for disadvantaged and troubled youth. Because of his earlier choices as a young teen, he established his own non-profit organization, Project P.I.N.K. | Pride in Neighborhood Kids. Pinklon fought and defeated the very best heavyweight fighters in the world. Though, his toughest fight has always been against the tribulations that plague our society through drugs and alcohol.

“Pink” as he is affectionately known, travels to various events, company functions and any gathering, where he can convey the dangers and traps of drug and alcohol addiction, as he himself was stricken with the disease at the early age of 8. Surprisingly, he was a phenomenal athlete in football, basketball, and track. He inevitably chose a career path in boxing where the odds were better in a one-man sport. He is also an advocate for non-violence, anti-crime, as he knows this lifestyle as a youth that could have very easily taken him in the wrong direction. Only by the grace of God, he lived to warn others if they take this path, there are only two potential endings, penitentiary, or the cemetery.

“We have to keep our children away from getting started into drugs and alcohol, as well as provide the support, guidance and love they need,” said Pink.

Thanks to Pinklon, young athletes can hear first-hand from the former champ that drugs and alcohol can take a vice-like grip on anyone, and it may be the edge that they need to save their life. Pinklon competed from 1978-1993 and turned professional after just three amateur fights. He fought the number one contender, Gerrie Coetzee to a draw in January 1983.

By 1984, with a record of 24-0-1, he would be afforded the opportunity for his first world title shot against reigning WBC “Terrible Tim” Witherspoon, winning a 12-round majority decision. Pinklon’s distinguishing characteristics were his signature pink boxing trunks and a powerful left jab. The legendary trainer Angelo Dundee, said “Pinklon’s jab was comparable to Sony Liston.” He would later meet his idol Muhammad Ali at the 5 th St. Gym, in Miami, Florida.

Pinklon held the WBC Heavyweight Title from 1984-1986. June 15, 1985, he successfully defended his WBC Title by a KO over former WBA World Heavyweight Champion Mike Weaver. On March 22, 1986, he suffered his first career loss as well as losing his WBC World Title to Trevor Berbick by unanimous decision. Pinklon went in and out of retirement over the following years, taking fights against top contenders.

He enjoyed success out-jabbing WBC/WBA World Champion Mike Tyson. After a long break for a torn glove, action resumed in the 6 th round where Tyson knocked him out with a brutal 15 punch salvo, knocking the extremely durable Thomas down for the first and last time in his lengthy career. Although he quickly got up inside the count, the fight was waved off by his trainer Angelo Dundee.

In December 1988 he returned from a 19-month layoff to fight the number one heavyweight contender Evander “Real Deal” Holyfield. Pinklon lost the fight but returned in yet another comeback in 1990 to outpoint Curtis Isaac over 10 rounds at the Silver Dôme in his hometown of Pontiac, Michigan.

Spring of 1991, after delivering an impactful motivational speech at a residential treatment program, Pink would be approached by Antonio Tarver. Ultimately, they learned they had so much in common, the two would form a lifelong friendship. Pink began to mentor, provide guidance, train and work with former WBA, WBC, and IBF Heavyweight World Champion and IBO Light Heavyweight and Cruiserweight Antonio Tarver prior to Tarver’s professional career. Pink is very proud of Tarver’s accomplishments, winning multiple titles, and achieving his goal by competing in the US Olympics earning him a Bronze Medal. Tarver now is a boxing commentator, who also promotes, and trains his son Antonio Tarver Jr. professionally. A few years later, Pinklon defeated Craig Payne in November of 1992 in a split decision and was awarded the IBO Heavyweight Championship. The event took place shortly after the birth of his youngest daughter Pierra, who inspired him to make his final comeback. He held the title from 1992-1993, ironically Payne beat Mike Tyson several times in the amateurs and because of this Tyson refused to fight him as a pro. In January 1993 he had his last professional fight of his career, losing to Lawrence Carter to what appeared to be a 7 th round KO, and it was later determined he suffered a pre-existing subdural hematoma unbeknownst to anyone. His wife gave him only one option and he humbly accepted.

In 1997 Pinklon was diagnosed with Hepatitis C due to his previous drug use as a teen. Unbeknownst to anyone it had remained dormant for over twenty years, resulting in a new liver diagnosis giving him only 6 months to live. After two years of unsuccessful medical treatments, he was later cured in three weeks by taking Harvoni. Furthermore, after conquering cancer, suffering a broken neck, having fifteen major surgeries, including the most recent life-threatening procedure on his thoracic spine on April of 2021. He spent 31 days in the hospital, 5 in ICU and several months of rehabilitation. It is only by the grace of God; he is still with us today.

Today, Pinklon resides in Orlando, Florida and was inducted in the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame, in 2009 and in 2019 he was inducted into the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame in Melbourne, Florida. Most recently on April 24, 2022, he was inducted into the National Boxing Hall of Fame in Montebello, California. The World Sports Alumni Organization (WSA) was influential in his 2022 induction, where he is a proud member and oversees their boxing chapter.

Pink along with John Greenberg published an autobiography, “Back from the Edge of Hell”. He is an avid motivational speaker and solely believes in giving back and helping others as the youth are the future of tomorrow. As a spinoff from his book, he is in the process of filming segments of his first documentary and working with a scriptwriter/producer for his upcoming television mini-series, in conjunction with Digital One Media Services and Dreamtime Entertainment. He has been influential in areas such as providing feedback for startup rehabilitation facilities and how to handle the addict in general. He enjoys traveling, spending time with his beautiful wife DJ, and their three daughters PaQuana, Peyton and Pierra, one son Pinklon Thomas lll & bonus daughter in love Patrice Thomas. He has six grandchildren and two great granddaughters. Pink believes rehabilitating young lives by mentoring youth and adults who can value his experience, and guidance is invaluable. He continues to train as a pro and remains active in developing young amateur talent, as well as working with professional fighters and have a few prospects! February 10th Pinklon celebrated not only his birthday but 35 years of sobriety.