Boxing Only


39 years ago

Greg Page vs Tony Tubbs

Date: 29th April 1985

Venue: Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York

Title: WBA World Heavyweight Title

Promoter: Don King Productions

Tv: HBO World Championship Boxing

Greg Page
( 24 - 3 - 0 )
Weight: 239½ lbs

Tony Tubbs
( 20 - 0 - 0 )
Weight: 229 lbs


On April 29, 1985, the boxing world witnessed a surprising upset as Tony "TNT" Tubbs dethroned WBA Heavyweight Champion Greg Page via unanimous decision at the Memorial Auditorium in Buffalo, New York. The challenger, who entered the ring as a 7th-ranked contender by the WBA, executed a disciplined game plan to capitalise on the champion's mistakes and secure the victory.

The two fighters, who had a long history dating back to their amateur days, put on a closely contested bout in front of a crowd of 6,579. Tubbs, fighting in his first 15-round match, showcased his speed and precision, consistently beating Page to the punch with crisp lefts, rights, and sharp combinations. Whenever Page attempted to employ tactics reminiscent of Muhammad Ali or Jersey Joe Walcott, Tubbs was quick to counter and land his own shots.

Despite Page's reputation as a skilled counterpuncher, he struggled to find his rhythm throughout the fight. Although he managed to connect with some powerful blows, he failed to follow up with effective combinations. Page's sporadic offence was further hindered by an injured right hand, which he later revealed had occurred in the second round.

The judges' scorecards reflected Tubbs' dominance, with Al Tremari scoring the bout 145-142, Joe Santarpia 145-140, and Al Wolinski 147-140, all favouring the new champion. Page, who had previously lost two consecutive fights before winning the title against Gerrie Coetzee, saw his record fall to 24-4.

In a post-fight interview, Tubbs attributed his victory to determination and careful pacing. "I knew it was a close fight, so I was just trying to pace myself for 15 rounds," he said. He also acknowledged Page's power and the need to strike first to avoid getting hurt.

The event was not without controversy, as Page's WBA title belt, along with other items valued at $30,000, was reported stolen from his Buffalo hotel room the night before the fight. Additionally, the undercard featured two notable bouts, with Tim Witherspoon scoring a devastating second-round knockout to capture the NABF Heavyweight Title from James Broad, and Hector "Macho" Camacho winning a 12-round decision against Roque Montoya to claim the vacant NABF Lightweight Championship.

As Tony Tubbs celebrated his hard-fought victory and ascended to the top of the heavyweight division, Greg Page was left to regroup and plot his path back to the championship. The defeat served as a harsh reminder that comparisons to the legendary Muhammad Ali were unwarranted and that each fighter must forge their own unique style and identity in the ring.


Greg Page vs Tony Tubbs on YouTube


Greg Page vs Tony Tubbs



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