Michael Dokes passes away

Former WBA heavyweight champion Michael Dokes sadly passed away at his home in Akron, Ohio this morning.

Dokes, who took the title by defeating Mike Weaver in late 1982, had been battling liver cancer for some time and was aged 54.

The American finished his career in 1997 with an impressive 53-6-2 (34 KOs) record but he will largely be remembered as an underachiever.

Blessed with skills that many heavyweights can only dream of, Dokes rose through the ranks in the last 1970s and early 1980s but his failed to really live up to his full potential because of an addiction to cocaine.

His crowing moment came at Caesers Palace, Las Vegas in December 1982 when he scored a controversial stoppage over Weaver in just 63 seconds.

They engaged in a rematch six months later but after 15 tough rounds the bout was scored a draw.

However, Dokes' title reign came to a juddering halt in his next defence when South African puncher Gerrie Coetzee knocked him out in the tenth round. It was a result which Ring Magazine named as 'Upset of the Year' for 1983.

Dokes would remain a heavyweight contender for the best part of the next decade but his personal problems prevented him from ever reaching the lofty heights of the sport again.

In 1989 he gave a then undefeated Evander Holyfield a tough fight before being stopped in the tenth.

His last shot at major honours came in 1993 when undisputed world heavyweight champion Riddick Bowe wiped him out in just one round.

Dokes' life hit an all-time low in 1999 when he was jailed for beating and sexually assaulting his girlfriend. He was released in 2008.