Thomas Franklin "Tommy" Thomas (June 8, 1954 – October 31, 2021), nicknamed "Franco", was an American professional heavyweight boxer and police officer from Clarksburg, West Virginia. During a professional career from 1977 to 1986, Thomas compiled a 34–8 record with 21 knockouts, reached No. 6 in the world heavyweight rankings, and was recognized as the West Virginia state heavyweight champion.

Early life and amateur career

Thomas grew up in Summit Park, West Virginia, and graduated from Victory High School in 1972. Before turning professional, he compiled a 46–10 amateur record. In 1977, he won the West Virginia and Pittsburgh Golden Gloves championships and reached the national semifinals of the Golden Gloves tournament.

Professional boxing career

Thomas fought his first professional bout in 1977. He was recognized as the West Virginia state heavyweight champion from 1979 through 1986 and reached No. 6 in the World Boxing Association heavyweight rankings.

On November 6, 1981, Thomas faced Jimmy Young at the Civic Arena in Pittsburgh on the card headlined by Larry Holmes and Renaldo Snipes. Thomas was ranked eighth by the World Boxing Council at the time and lost to Young by unanimous decision.

On March 20, 1982, Thomas challenged Michael Dokes for the North American Boxing Federation heavyweight title at the Playboy Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Dokes retained the title by knocking Thomas out in the fifth round.

Thomas later fought former heavyweight champion Leon Spinks on June 29, 1985. His final professional fight was on April 2, 1986, when he traveled to South Africa to face Pierre Coetzer. Thomas finished his professional career with 34 wins and eight losses in 42 fights, including 21 wins by knockout.

Law enforcement career

Thomas worked in law enforcement while he was still active as a professional boxer. By 1986, he was serving with the police department in Shinnston, West Virginia, and he later joined the Clarksburg Police Department. In Clarksburg, Thomas worked as a regular-duty officer and served for about 15 years as the department's D.A.R.E. officer, visiting schools to educate children about drug use. He remained in the position until health problems led to his retirement.

Thomas was named The Exponent Telegram Citizen of the Year in 2001. In 2010, he received the Federal Bureau of Investigation Director's Community Leadership Award.

Boxing club and later life

In 1998, Thomas opened the Tommy Thomas Boxing Club at the Clarksburg Recreation Center on Duff Avenue. The club provided boxing training without an additional fee and was intended to give young people a place to train and spend time off the streets.

Thomas died in 2021 at age 67. In August 2025, the Clarksburg Recreation Center was renamed the Tommy Thomas Recreation Center in his honor.

Professional boxing record

Thomas finished his professional career with 34 wins and eight losses in 42 bouts, including 21 wins by knockout.

Result Opponent Method Date Location Notes Loss Pierre Coetzer KO/TKO, 2 April 2, 1986 West Ridge Park Tennis Stadium, Durban, South Africa Sources differ on whether the stoppage was recorded as a KO or TKO. Loss Leon Spinks Unanimous decision, 10 June 29, 1985 Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Santa Rosa, California Win Wesley Smith KO, 4 May 1985 Charleston, West Virginia The club record gives May 15, while BoxerList gives May 24; BoxRec lists the bout only as May 1985. Loss Kip Kane Split decision, 10 March 30, 1985 Veterans Memorial Auditorium, Columbus, Ohio Win Wesley Smith Unanimous decision, 12 October 1984 Clarksburg, West Virginia The club record gives October 3 and identifies the bout as being for the Tri-State heavyweight title. BoxerList gives October 4, while BoxRec lists the bout in October and identifies the title as the West Virginia state heavyweight title. Loss James Broad KO/TKO, 3 May 3, 1984 Resorts International, Atlantic City, New Jersey Sources differ on whether the stoppage was recorded as a KO or TKO. The bout was for the ESPN heavyweight title. Win Mike Cohen KO/TKO, 7 August 22, 1983 Beckley, West Virginia Sources differ on whether the stoppage was recorded as a KO or TKO. Win Larry Givens KO, 8 July 1983 Logan, West Virginia The club record gives July 29, while BoxerList gives July 31; BoxRec lists the bout only as July 1983. Win Butch Chambers KO, 2 July 11, 1983 Beckley, West Virginia Win Claman Parker Unanimous decision, 10 June 6, 1983 Beckley, West Virginia Win Eddie Smith KO, 2 April 1983 West Virginia The club record gives April 15 in Beckley. BoxerList gives April 19 in Shinnston, while BoxRec lists the bout in April in Shinnston. Win Melvin Hosey KO, 2 February 12, 1983 Wheeling, West Virginia Win Grady Daniels Points, 10 October 2, 1982 Charleston, West Virginia Win Claman Parker Points, 10 May or June 1982 Beckley, West Virginia BoxerList gives May 15 and BoxRec lists the bout in May, while the club record gives June 15. Loss Michael Dokes KO, 5 March 20, 1982 Playboy Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey For the NABF heavyweight title. Loss Jimmy Young Unanimous decision, 10 November 6, 1981 Civic Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Win Jerry Hunter KO, 2 October 3, 1981 Elkins, West Virginia Win Baker Tinsley KO, 4 September 26, 1981 Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada Win Billy Ratliff KO, 7 January 9, 1981 West Virginia The club record lists Fairmont, West Virginia, while BoxRec and BoxerList list Fremont, West Virginia. Win Jim Ingram KO, 5 December 5, 1980 Clarksburg, West Virginia Win [Henry Patterson KO, 7 August 2, 1980 Nathan Goff Armory, Clarksburg, West Virginia Win Harvey Steichen Unanimous decision, 10 June 21, 1980 Caesars Palace Sports Pavilion, Las Vegas, Nevada Win Jerry Thompkins KO, 7 May 10, 1980 Nathan Goff Armory, Clarksburg, West Virginia Win Harvey Steichen Unanimous decision, 10 February 9, 1980 Nathan Goff Armory, Clarksburg, West Virginia Win Bobby Jordan Points, 10 November 3, 1979 Fairmont, West Virginia Win Lou Rogan KO, 4 August 3, 1979 Nathan Goff Armory, Clarksburg, West Virginia Thomas was recognized as West Virginia heavyweight champion following the bout. Win Al Byrd Unanimous decision, 10 May 16, 1979 Armory, Clarksburg, West Virginia Win Len Lawson Unanimous decision, 10 April 26, 1979 Seattle Center Arena, Seattle, Washington Win Macka Foley KO, 6 March 1, 1979 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California Win Elliott Bryant Unanimous decision, 10 January 8, 1979 Seattle Center Arena, Seattle, Washington Loss Jim Ingram Unanimous decision, 10 October 22, 1978 Sahara Hotel, Reno, Nevada Win Elliott Bryant Unanimous decision, 10 September 17, 1978 Sahara Hotel, Reno, Nevada Loss Oliver Philipps Majority decision, 10 August 19, 1978 Sahara Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada Win Al Neumann KO, 9 May 10, 1978 Anchorage Sports Arena, Anchorage, Alaska The club record identifies the bout as Thomas's victory for the Alaska heavyweight title. Win Vic Van Fleet KO/TKO, 5 April 12, 1978 Anchorage Sports Arena, Anchorage, Alaska The club record lists a KO, while BoxerList lists a TKO. Win Al Neumann Unanimous decision, 10 March 15, 1978 Anchorage Sports Arena, Anchorage, Alaska Win Bruce Hannan KO, 3 February 22, 1978 Anchorage Sports Arena, Anchorage, Alaska Thomas fought twice on the same card. The club record spells the opponent's surname "Hannon"; BoxRec lists "Hannan". BoxerList omits this bout from its displayed fight table despite listing Thomas with 42 professional bouts. Win Travis Pickering KO/TKO, 3 February 22, 1978 Anchorage Sports Arena, Anchorage, Alaska Thomas fought twice on the same card. The club record lists a KO, while BoxerList lists a TKO. Win Baker Tinsley KO/TKO, 3 January 8, 1978 Hyatt Regency Ballroom, Knoxville, Tennessee The club record lists a KO, while BoxerList lists a TKO. Win Amos Haynes KO/TKO, 3 December 29, 1977 Civic Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania The club record lists a KO, while BoxerList lists a TKO. Win Dave Mounts KO, 3 December 18, 1977 Fairmont, West Virginia Win Leonard Langley Points, 4 September 18, 1977 Fairmont, West Virginia

References