Mike Weaver Documentary - 1980s Heavyweight Hercules

A look back at the career of former WBA Heavyweight Champion Mike Weaver.If you wish to donate/support the channel please click here:
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[@shanrika405]

I still get very emotional watching my Dads bouts. As a little girl I was very traumatized, didn’t understand it was “work”. Happy to say my Dad is doing great today. Great documentary, thank you.

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Thanks, Shan'rika. Mike Weaver is your father? A pleasure to hear from you, he is very much admired in the boxing community.

[@johnkeogh8601]

loved from Ireland also.

[@JohnWilliams-sq7cj]

Much love to Mike, you and your family!

[@robertohernandez-os3hm]

Glad your dad is doing great. I used see him every year at the boxing hall of fame in los angeles. Always a nice man, god bless you guys

[@jontyarnold8522]

Always admired Mike Weaver….. all the best from Nottingham, England….🥊

[@johnny5805]

When Ken Norton names you "Hercules" you know you got a great body ! It's terrible that he was forced to work as a postman. Don King.

[@paulg444]

A truly great and genuine man, an American original !.. We love you Mike Weaver!

[@TheCrittercam001]

♥

[@LoganCharlesII]

Weaver had one of the best bodies in the history of boxing.

[@bodijisattva9333]

I always admired Mike Weaver a man of class and integrity

[@bbq878]

I'm just now learning about him! I've been studying all the heavyweights and Mike seems like a real cool guy

[@briandukes462]

Wonderful man and fighter, meet him with my dad at a restaurant in Dallas in 1988, he took the time to talk to me, I was 12, told me to work hard at becoming a better person every day. I hope he’s doing well, a great man .

[@gordonluis2039]

I always like to hear how a fighter is doing after he hangs them up. Great video

[@boomersD9CAT]

Mike Weavers a humble man with an easy going personality, and great sense of humor.IMO one of the most durable heavyweight boxers of 70’s,80’s, and 90,s who still works out, and stays in top condition!🥊💪🥊

[@boomersD9CAT]

I really enjoy your channel Rich! Mike “Hercules” Weaver was an idol to me…I was never an accomplished boxer,but my Father would let me know anytime Mike Weaver had a fight coming up on Wide World of Sports, and I’d watch him fight🥊

[@underwriter100]

His humbleness & easy going nature made him very likable. I always rooted for him.

[@cedricliggins7528]

Weaver/Dokes 2 one of the most action packed heavyweight bouts. Very underrated fight.

[@greggonzalez859]

God bless you Champ. Thank you for your service in the Marines and I enjoyed your fights all those years ago.

[@matthewnikitas2904]

The knockout against Tate and Tommy Hearns knock out Roberto Duran are some of the most brutal one punch kos I’ve ever seen

[@crazykocounters4741]

Yes!! One of the most underrated boxers and punchers of the 80's

[@jamescarr4662]

If one parsed youtube comments sections for the word 'underrated', i bet it would show up almost as often as 'the' and 'a'. It's a weird mass online psychosis, almost like a fetish. Strange.....

[@crazykocounters4741]

@@jamescarr4662 dafuq?

[@boomersD9CAT]

Weaver was definitely underrated, and he never turned away a fight…A Durable fighter who’s career lasted into the late 1990’s

[@darrenstopper1806]

@@jamescarr4662 underrated comment

[@alrivers2297]

@@jamescarr4662 The word underrated is overrated

[@bh1422]

When Mike Weaver fought South Africa's Johnny Du Plooy he walked into a shoe store with his entourage my eldest sister managed at the time. She said she couldn't believe how soft spoken and humble he was.

[@TheCrittercam001]

♥

[@frankzappa951]

Wow!!

[@saypayme]

Much respect champ impressive one punch knockouts but the most impressive quality about this man is how he got knocked down in life or the ring always got back up warrior blood 🦍

[@adamg9173]

Definitely a champion to be proud of. He deserved this video and more like it

[@johnjuarez8005]

Great fighter and more importantly a great man!

[@leonsmith539]

This brings back memories. My grandfather loved the fights and I watched Weaver vs Truth Williams with him. I was a fan of The Truth and just knew he was going to win and go whip Holmes in a rematch. I was so mad when Weaver knocked him out lol. Great learning more about Mike and him being a class act.

[@andrewmorris6187]

One tough man. I was a weaver fan as a child.

[@slybear525]

He was one of my favorite fighters of the 80s. He could lay out an elephant with that hook. He also had a good but underutilized jab. He is a good man! I met him once in the late 90s. That Tate knock out of Tate is one of my favorite boxing memories! Thanks again for these amazing videos!

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Thanks. You're right, Weaver did have an underrated jab...

[@robertkline6778]

less than a minute to go in the 15th and final round...then kaboom

[@gaddyify]

I thought Weaver and Norton had the best physics's in boxing during their era.

[@jricciardi99]

Norton gave him the nickname Hercules

[@TimKofiTokunbo]

Jumbo Cummings?

[@oldboygeorge7688]

I used to think so, but as I learnt to box I realised to much muscles had a down side. It used to much energy and didn't add power to your punches.

[@graemechristopher4008]

I would agree with that.

[@southie3177]

@@oldboygeorge7688 musclebound fighters are the exception not the rule for that reason 💪☘️💪

[@kevinwilkins9627]

One huge reason Scott LeDeaux retired and went into being a wrestling referee in AWA,is because the battering he took from Weaver

[@shawnthaicon2586]

I'm bingeing on your content..its amazing and highly educational

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Hey thanks, Shawn.

[@lukebullen705]

One of the best underdog stories is Weaver. To win the heavyweight title after that disastrous start to his career really shows that with self belief and high work ethic you can achieve more than you thought capable.

[@paulbright5081]

Mike Weaver was one of my favorite fighters growing up. Thanks for this review of his roller coaster career.

[@arabionjames9290]

Thank you champ we all appreciate what you gave to boxing.

[@charternicholson9933]

Mike served the country and started to box as a Marine. Ironically, Ken Norton nicknamed him "Hercules" based on his physique...and Ken Norton had posed in "Playgirl"...that is funny to me. Ken Norton and Mike Weaver are my two favorite fighters of all time. Even though I was very young to have both of my heroes retired before high school. His knockout of Big John Tate with .45 seconds left in the 15th round is astounding...Tate was the biggest of all HW out there. His left hook has got to be one of the best of all in the HW lineage. Most all HW's were scared of him and wanted Holmes more then him. He had a decent title reign though it was not active enough in those days. The victory over eventual WBA champ Coetzee and Tillis were solid. Dokes 1 was a terrible stoppage...and I remember the announcers saying it probably would not have made any difference anyway...what a joke Yes, I had Weaver winning the rematch but a draw was not out of the question but I have watched the fight several times over the years and I do believe that Mike won more rounds. There were rounds that Dokes won more handily but that is not how boxing is scored. On a side note how about Coetzee after getting knocked out by Weaver and Tate he takes care of Dokes...he had a heart of a champ as well. Thanks for posting

[@gabe2631]

I love how you put these stories together.

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

Thanks so much for this. On any given night Weaver was as great as anyone. He just wasn’t consistent. But his win over Tate was possibly the single hardest punch in boxing history, and the fact he had the energy to throw that much power behind it after losing about 12 of the previous 14 rounds says something about his durability and determination.

[@charternicholson9933]

Very smart post!...to knock a man out cold 30 lbs heavier then you and by all indications, for the last 44 minutes and 15 seconds, Tate was the better fighter, says something about his power and will. Nice job Phil!

[@jaycompany4886]

That's a knock out...i'll never forget.. in 15th round, weaver became champion, even though it was a short period

[@southie3177]

Exactly. If it was a 12 round , he would’ve lost. Bring back the Championship rounds 13,14,15

[@obama7828]

It was a good punch no doubt, however Tate was out more because of exhaustion. Watch Weaver's fight with Carl Williams. The Left hook that he lands on Williams to knock him down was one of the best left hooks i've seen

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

@@obama7828 True on the Williams fight! I agree Tate was on fumes from 12 on, even though he was way, way ahead. But that last left hook was brutal.

[@bg365]

Great fighter. Always underrated, always good value for the fans.

[@liteskinnedbobbybrown6256]

When Weaver was focused & in shape ,he was something to deal with!He was a real throwback!Not a lot of dancing,but always looking for an opening.If he found it,he could finish!

[@Autochthonous_Anarchist]

His story reminds me of Grady Brewer, The 2006 Contender Champion. He’s unstoppable when he’s in shape and focused!

[@javierpedrozadiaz4705]

I finally got to meet Hercules today and he's a very nice and considerate person. He will always be one of greatest in my eyes.

[@willyD200]

Never much followed Mike Weavers career, there were so many great heavy weight contenders at the time it was difficult keeping track of who was at the head of the pack, plus iwas personally paying more attention to the middle weight division back then, but this short documentary summed up the era and certainly brought back a lot of cool memories. Weaver was a powerful boxer and it appears was also a very decent guy. I fou d the mention of his other , " hobbies " quite interesting. Hopefully he kept some of his winnings and retired content.

[@oncall21]

A brilliant story and one that doesn't end with the tragedy like so many. Thanks for sharing!

[@smitchix1]

One of the greatest left hooks of all time (ask John Tate or Carl Williams), but he is never in the discussion when people talk about "the greatest left hook ever,"

[@robertquinsey9969]

A fine tribute,the end of the John Tate fight was incredible.

[@fightersroots3531]

@vinny the chin Tyson would most likely win

[@dfygoh3215]

people may disagree with me but the '70s had the most competitive heavyweights

[@threerings1345]

Imagine what could have been had Weaver actually liked boxing.

[@Nighthawk1968]

This was my favorite heavyweight back in the day. Even though Larry Holmes and I have the same first name and initials I was cheering weaver in their fight during the replay! Lol!

[@imgmoney2]

Thank you for this...long overdue!!

[@kevinwilkins9627]

In that epic second fight between Weaver & Dokes,JHERI CURL juice was flying everywhere 😳😉🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@tomelliott565]

Brilliant watch, as always! Keep up the great work. T.

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Many thanks!

[@greygolem]

Love the statement how some champions are made, not born. Yeah, seems fitting and something we can all hope to be.

[@BruteStrength99]

Thank you so much for this. I was always a huge Weaver fan

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

My pleasure, thanks for watching.

[@Daniel_Antonio_Arellano782]

I remember Mike Weaver. He was a favorite of mine. He was one bad man!

[@charternicholson9933]

The premature stoppage when Weaver was in defense of his title has to be one of the most suspicious of all time. I know Don King had to frustrated that Champ Weaver was not as active a champ as Holmes due to several factors. I still wonder to this day did the ref "Curtis" be influenced as Rich brought up on the video by the Mancini and the Kim fight. Weaver won the rematch against Dokes in my eyes. He has two of the most telling left hook knockouts in the heavyweight division ever...His knockout of Big John Tate with .45 seconds left in the 15th round, a guy 30lbs heavier and 3 inches taller was amazing. Carl "The Truth" Williams was also a text book knockdown. Again, getting beat in both fights his equalizer was amazing.

[@marquismorris1548]

Williams koed by Tyson lefthook too.

[@pretorious700]

That Tate punch is still scary to witness. Especially knowing what happened to Tates' life afterward.

[@stevenrozakis5269]

And this is why I subscribed. These vids are so great, makes the last eras seem even more interesting.

[@johannel8104]

Great vid. Thanks so much. Brings back many memories. I never knew much about Weaver's personality. So glad I watched this. He seemed like an all-round gentleman and wonderful human being. If he took the sport more seriously when he was younger, imagine what he could have achieved. But it seems that he just did not want to hurt people. I hope you are happy Champ!

[@robertwilliams3887]

My new favorite channel I am recommending to everyone

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Hey thanks, Robert.

[@jeffbrown3842]

Just found this channel love boxing love the history of boxing great content

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Thanks and welcome

[@martinireland9248]

Dokes employed perfect tactics in the first fight. Weaver was a notoriously slow starter, so MD jumped on him straight away. Stoppage did look premature, many think a ring fatality shortliy before the bout was behind the referees thinking

[@ZION82able]

SO many great memories..thank you, thank you, THANK YOU Rich, the fight historian, for both another great trip down memory lane, and also telling me things that I didn’t know about this great fighter and great gentleman, Mike “Hercules” Weaver. God bless you Rich, and please, keep these great videos coming.

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Glad you enjoyed it, will do.

[@mokujinsan9946]

Wonderful work, respect from a Londoner now living in Berlin

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Thank you very much!

[@ronaldandrews283]

9.8 is a great time.In particular for that time. Sounds like a great man of GOD.

[@kevinwilkins9627]

I love those outside arena fights

[@brad5999]

Thank you Rich! Always look forward to these! Great footage.

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

My pleasure!

[@jimblomqvist3055]

Thanks for this! Excellent!!!🙏🏻

[@falcon6415]

Great video nice job MIKE WEAVER was a great champion he had highs and lows but his highs were some of the greatest fights in boxing history HERCULES was a great name the great KENNY NORTON gave him because it somes MIKE WEAVER up a true warrior 👍

[@bigjohn3928]

Yeah, He stopped that fight way too early..Weaver was letting Dokes punch himself out...

[@gregorybarton2067]

I recall that fight. I admired Dokes, but knew his win over Weaver was a fluke.

[@Autochthonous_Anarchist]

@vinny the chin too risky for Tyson.

[@darrenstopper1806]

Just earned a subscriber.first I’ve seen your comtent and tho I’ve heard of weaver I never really looked into his career.enjoyed the video keep up the good wrk👍

[@massimilianodamiani5593]

I really enjoyed this video, great tribute and very informative. Don't stop!

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Thanks, will do!

[@delpage1]

A true sleeper of a heavyweight. Just when you underestimated him.... whack! He's one of those fighters who came up the hard way and was far better than his record would indicate. He lost to Duane Bobick early on but I am 100% certain he would have painted the canvas with Bobick later in his career.

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Exactly. No one could have predicted that someone who lost to BOTH Bobick brothers could have ascended the way he did.

[@kevinwilkins9627]

Weaver easily had one of the best physiques ever in Boxing 🥊

[@fardanfarrakhan7472]

You are amazing man! Impeccable storytelling. Keep them coming, Rich!

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Thanks! Will do!

[@boxingmaster2663]

Thank you for the video Rich

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

My pleasure!!

[@shanebolender851]

One of my favorite boxers.

[@tomstathis8653]

Never got hit solid once against Dokes after the knockdown…I remember being really pissed off then watching it live, and it still pisses me off just as much today.

[@javierpedrozadiaz4705]

I met him at The Seventh Day Adventist Church in Long Beach Ca and I'm grateful for the chance to have met him.

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Very cool.

[@muratsahan3144]

1st the documentary on John Tate and now on Mike Weaver WOW good work!

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Thanks, Murat.

[@whip57]

Great story...love learning about these fighters

[@BoxOfficeVegasLLC]

I liked Weaver in the 80s. Always an exciting fight win or lose

[@lasheemrichardson9283]

I love these docs keep them coming

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Will do, Lasheem. Thank you.

[@lasheemrichardson9283]

@@RichtheFightHistorian much respect blessings to you my man

[@abudujana13]

Thanks for the video, RICH THE FIGHT HISTORIAN

[@positiveenergybaby]

I hope these vids keep on coming, and not stop at 10. Great job, keep it up 👍🏾

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Thanks! Will do!

[@KidA712]

As a avid boxing fan since I was 7-8 years old watching Marco Antonio Barrera and the great Lennox Lewis. I absolutely am obsessed with this channel. Great boxing knowledge and history and forgotten gladiators of the greatest sport ever.

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Thanks, Adrian.

[@KidA712]

@@RichtheFightHistorian you won my heart when I saw you did one on John Frigging Mugabi ! The fight with the hardest man to walk this earth, Marvin Hagler, is in my top 5 all time favorite wars.

[@TENGU127]

Another Home Run Rich!🤜🏾🤛🏻

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Thank you.

[@frankzappa951]

The right hand that dropped Gerry travel in such a short space. Like the right hand that Tyson hit The White Buffalo with back in the 90s. True power and technique. Thanks again Rich. Man am I glad I found your channel. Peace be upon you brother.

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Likewise, glad you're enjoying the old fights.

[@ronaldneal387]

Great channel you have and great documentary too

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Thanks, Ronald.

[@jasoncarle5432]

I like the narrator..knows his stuff

[@thompsonrobert6615]

great video

[@fucu41]

I LOVE UR CONTENT.LOVE IT

[@johnjuarez8005]

Rich your work is incredible.

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Hey thanks, John.

[@petarvurdelja7667]

He reminds me on carl weathers as apollo creed with his build, look, moves

[@oj-2258]

Great video 🙏🙏

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Thank you 🙌

[@LooseNewf]

Great vid - bravo! Weaver was not the greatest but he was one of the best - underrated. This clears up a few questions people may have had. Glad to hear he has a big family to enjoy. Good name for a roller coaster, too - The Weaver. (is a Don K bio in the works?)

[@domenickparris1898]

Mike Weaver was a BAD man. No quit in him. An overlooked heavyweight who was much more talented than his W-L record . Nice profile on him.

[@jamesowens3486]

Much love and Respect champ.

[@satanspit4101]

He was a gentle giant.

[@1rixo]

great docs bru ....respect from a true boxing fan

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

I appreciate that, Adolfo.

[@maxv6837]

The Dokes fight was obviously fixed! Weaver was one of the toughest heavyweights I've ever seen. Wasn't a big heavyweight but could go toe to toe with anyone.

[@C-rations2394]

Nice work. Weaver was a durable fighter, notoriously slow starter, but had power and stamina to finish. That Dokes fight was total robbery. Hercules - fits him, in my book.

[@marcoslaureano5562]

Mike Weaver. Had he been born under the same messed up circumstances as a Mike Tyson would have been an absolute BEAST. As it was, he was a HELL of a fighter.

[@trakfund]

Thanks for this documentary. I was a fan of Mike. I recall that for years after the first Dokes bout, referee Joey Curtis would often be booed when announced before a bout. I disagree strongly with the stoppage but always felt sorry for what Curtis had to deal with.

[@humanbeing2420]

I can't feel much sympathy for him - it was a brazenly stupid, incompetent stoppage. Even though he'd been knocked down, Weaver wasn't anywhere close to being defenseless or in danger of serious injury. It was under a minute into the fight and he clearly had his wits about him. He was blocking all of Dokes's punches and looking for opportunities to strike back. It's not like it was late rounds with an exhausted fighter. I get the context in the aftermath if Du Koo Kim, but that doesn't warrant the ref taking full leave of his senses. To take away a heavyweight title like that was just silly. He's lucky he ever worked again.

[@mranderson3564]

A true heavyweight legand.

[@luisantoniopalominogonzale6918]

Gracias por tan buenos documentales de boxeadores.

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Sure thing, Luis.

[@christophermclean3921]

You could never count Weaver out. That left hook was something

[@Lexthebarbarian]

A sub and like from me! one of my favorite fighters with a body like Marvel superhero!

[@valegendre]

Wow the stoppage !?

[@sproutsisters5398]

I am amazed how far we've come in terms of fidelity of footage. I can barely see people's faces in this footage

[@pkell7315]

Do you have a Videos on Carlos Zarate ? I use to watch him box in the 70s and 80s he was one of the toughest fighters I have ever seen

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Yes, he's on the list.