First Heavyweight Boxing Title Bout on a College Campus

On March 31, 1980, some twelve thousand fans in Stokely Athletics Center cheered for Knoxville’s “Big John” Tate as he defended his World Boxing Association Heavyweight Championship against Mike Weaver. Weaver won by a knockout in the final moments of the 15th and final round. Tate was the heavy favorite and had led until the knockout blow. UT cheerleaders kept the round cards, and the band played Rocky Top as Tate entered the arena. The event was nationally televised but was blacked-out in the Knoxville area because it was not a sellout (approximately four thousand tickets were unsold). The fight was promoted and executed by Top Rank. Tickets were $20, $40, $60, and $100, with $200 for ringside seats.