Duane Thomas (February 1, 1961 – June 2000) was an American professional boxer in the super welterweight (154 lb) division. He was born in Detroit, Michigan.
Professional career Thomas turned pro in 1979 and won the Vacant USBA Light middleweight title in 1983 against Nino Gonzalez. He would go on to win the WBC Light Middleweight Title with a 3rd-round TKO over John Mugabi in 1986 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Thomas would lose the title eight months later, in Merignac, France, in his first defense to Lupe Aquino by decision. In 1988 he challenged WBC Light Middleweight Title holder Gianfranco Rosi, but was dominated and TKO'd in the 7th. He was an elite fighter during his era.
Professional boxing record
ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes34Win31–3Abraham Bruno33Win30–3Thomas Covington32Loss29–3Gianfranco Rosi31Loss29–2Lupe Aquino30Win29–1John Mugabi29Win28–1Bobby McCorvey28Win27–1Tony Ojo27Win26–1Lopez McGee26Win25–1Mark McPherson25Win24–1Sumbu Kalambay24Win23–1Lloyd Richardson23Win22–1Tony Harrison22Win21–1Clayton Hires21Win20–1Donald King20Win19–1Nino Gonzalez19Win18–1Jesse Abrams18Win17–1Willie Ray Taylor17Loss16–1Buster Drayton16Win16–0Tony McMinn15Win15–0Fred Reed14Win14–0Carl Crowley13Win13–0Jose Luis Santana12Win12–0David Braxton11Win11–0Jerry Hall10Win10–0Allen Avery9Win9–0Randall Jackson8Win8–0James Leftwick7Win7–0Lamont Hopkins6Win6–0Lenny Villers5Win5–0Rodney Cummings4Win4–0Harvey Wilson3Win3–0Dave Myrick2Win2–0Ron Tillman1Win1–0Ken Rocky Fusco
Death Duane Thomas had just made a comeback after 11 years out of the ring, when he was murdered in Detroit over a drug dispute, in 2000.
See also List of world light-middleweight boxing champions List of homicides in Michigan
References
External links