BoxRec

It was quite interesting watching his career develop here locally in Akron. My father and I frequented not only the annual Golden Gloves tournaments at the old Akron Armory, but also attended other local amateur fight cards and tournaments during a time when amateur boxing was still quite popular.

Dokes was quite a showman even at an early age. Naturally gifted with blazing hand speed he quickly started to dominate the fight scene locally and used to get a lot of media attention. He was quite a flashy dresser and I remember there was talk that he actually made many of his own clothes, although those stories were probably started by his close associates.

I did meet Mike a few times, and the times I met him he was quite courteous and respectful. Of course the main reason for his popularity was his talent. He quickly established himself as not only one of the top amatuer fighters in Ohio, but also garnered national attention as he became the top amateur LH in the country. I still remember watching his fight against Stevenson on TV. While he was knocked out in the fight Mike showed a lot of courage, if not a well devised fight plan. Most don’t remember that Mike was a LH and probably gave up at least 25 pounds to the legendary Cuban.

Despite his great hand speed, Mike never really learned how best to utilize his skills and seemed too confident for his own good. He also lacked discipline and developed substance abuse problems that would eventually lead to unfortunate run-ins with the law. Despite all of his problems, Mike did provide a lot of excitement in the ring, win or lose.

RIP champ.

http://ringsidereport.com/?p=20602

some details....May he R.I.P.

From his hometown paper

Michael Dokes

RIP champion, Ohio fight fans are truly at a loss

Dokes was one of my top five fave heavyweights from the 80s-90s; he could have been an ATG, had he not got into drugs like he did. I put him up there with other Ohio greats: Mancini, Charles, Jeffries, McCarty, Tubbs, Douglas, Pavlik, McCoole etc.

This was sad news; I had not heard about this. Whenever something like this happens to someone like him, I always think of how far he went yet since he wasn't one of the legends he gets more criticism than far lesser fighters.

As mentioned, the drugs did hamper his career and his life. The fight I remember watching both of his fights with Ocasio as well as with and Chaplin on national TV when was coming into prominence. One fight that always stuck out with me was when he took on Holyfield. He was slipping but gave it one last serious try. He gave a great effort and really gave a prime Holyfield all that he could handle; maybe Holyfield's toughest heavyweight fight until he fought Bowe.

Not a legend, but at one time he was one of the best 3 in the world. Not many of us can say that.

The 2nd fight with Mike Weaver, on the same card as Holmes - Witherspoon and Page - Snipes was a war too.

That was a great afternoon of heavyweight boxing.

BarryWashington wrote:

Giancarlo wrote:The 2nd fight with Mike Weaver, on the same card as Holmes - Witherspoon and Page - Snipes was a war too.

That was a great afternoon of heavyweight boxing.

wow that is a great card of hws. never realized it was all on the same card

Yes, I watched it live on TV with some pals who weren't big boxing fans until then.

I'd been a fan of Holmes for a few years but Witherspoon put up a hell of a fight for a guy with only 15 fights going in with a modern great. After that showing I thought Tim would be the successor to Larry but he only showed that sort of form sporadically after that.

I remember him sparring with Ali when he was 17 or something and Ali just let him pound on him for the full distance. I beleive it was one of his fights with Weaver the way he came out that first round his hands were honestly the fastest i have seen for a HW short of the usual suspects like Tyson, Ali, Patterson etc.
When he came back in the late 80s he was already shot when he pushed Holyfield.

RIP

Another talented fighter from the 80's whose lack of discipline stopped him from reaching his potential. But unlike a lot of his contempories, he was rarely in a bad fight. Very interesting career.

RIP

R.I.P champion

The rumble with Holyfield was an amazing spectacle. We've been talking about it for about 23 years now and it'll keep coming up for years to come when best HW fights are discussed. If that's a major part of Dokes' legacy then I'd say that's a pretty fair effort

bollox wrote:The rumble with Holyfield was an amazing spectacle. We've been talking about it for about 23 years now and it'll keep coming up for years to come when best HW fights are discussed. If that's a major part of Dokes' legacy then I'd say that's a pretty fair effort

That fight was epic. One of the most exciting heavyweight bouts of the decade, I'd say. Maybe of all time?

Here's another article from our local paper.

Artist Meets Champ

Mike was a nice fighter, real tough, very strong desire, yet a bit overrated.He probably was the fastest heavy in the early 80's, though 1 or 2 could give strong argument to that.RIP Michael.

he gave holyfield a war but that DOkes was shot. His hands were slow and he didnt have the same workrate and intensity of the dokes of 83...the cocaine and inactivity had taken its toll.

The dokes of the early 80s was a thing of beauty, the look, the robe, the flowers he threw out and than the way he fought lightning quick hands!!! People ask for the next tyson in american HWs .....the next dokes or cooney would do fine!

Dokes and Cooney should've fought.The fight would have been good for the four or five rounds it lasted until Dokes stops Cooney.