José Ribalta


José Manuel Ribalta is a Cuban former professional boxer who competed in the heavyweight division from 1982 to 1999. He is best known for his fight against Mike Tyson in 1986.

Early years

Ribalta's family fled Cuba in the 1970s and settled in Miami, the city with the largest Cuban diaspora outside of Cuba. Both of his older brothers were boxers. The oldest brother competed in the welterweight division and had three professional fights in the US. The middle of the three brothers was a boxer in Cuba, where he faced Teófilo Stevenson three times in the amateur ring and lost to him three times, and also fought Aziz Salihu. The younger José started boxing in the United States in the mid-1970s. He did not go through the Cuban school, but became the best known of the Ribalta brothers.

Professional career

Ribalta made his professional debut in 1982. He had 10 straight wins. In 1983, he lost to Ricardo Richardson by TKO in the 7th round. Then Ribalta won another 7 fights. Advancing on the list of professional boxing rankings, Ribalta made his living as a sparring partner for WBC champion Trevor Berbick and title contender Gerry Cooney.
In July 1985, his first nationally televised bout took place against James "Bonecrusher" Smith. Ribalta lost by a split decision. The audience was loudly outraged by the decision of the judges, and Ribalta considered that he was "robbed". In September 1985, Ribalta faced Marvis Frazier. After a close battle, Frazier won the fight by a majority decision. In May 1986, he was knocked down by David Jaco, but managed to turn the tide of the fight and won by knockout in the fifth round.
On 17 August 1986, Ribalta faced Mike Tyson in a fight broadcast on HBO prepaid. At the time of the fight, Ribalta was ranked #10 in the WBC ranking. In the fight, Ribalta was knocked down three times and eventually lost by TKO in the 10th round, when the fight was stopped after Tyson's next series of strikes landed on Ribalta, who was pressed against the ropes. In 2014, Tyson claimed Ribalta was the toughest opponent he has faced.
In 1987, Ribalta defeated Leon Spinks, knocking him down three times in the first round. Then he defeated Mark Young and Steve Zouski.
In 1990, Ribalta faced Tim Witherspoon and lost by majority decision.
In 1991, he lost to Bruce Seldon and Pierre Coetzer.
In April 1992, he was knocked out by Frank Bruno in the 2nd round. In October 1992, Ribalta faced Michael Dokes and lost by unanimous decision.
In September 1993, he lost against Larry Holmes by unanimous decision. In December 1993, Ribalta lost a unanimous decision in a 3-round bout against Tony Tubbs in a national heavyweight tournament in the Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi.
In 1994, Ribalta lost against Joe Hipp by knockout in the 2nd round. Then he won five fights, which were followed by losses against Axel Schulz, Larry Donald, Vitali Klitschko, and Chris Byrd.
In 1999, Ribalta lost by knockout in the 1st round against Donovan Ruddock, after which he retired from professional boxing.
He was inducted into the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame in 2014.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
56Loss38–17–1 Donovan RuddockTKO1, 1:40Oct 8, 1999 Turning Stone Resort Casino, Verona, New York, U.S.
55Loss38–16–1 Chris ByrdRTD3, 3:00Jun 3, 1999 Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, U.S.-
54Loss38–15–1 Vitali KlitschkoTKO2, 2:13Jun 5, 1998 Sporthalle Wandsbek, Hamburg, Germany
53Loss38–14–1 Larry DonaldTKO6 Jul 15, 1997 Riverside Convention Center, Rochester, New York
52Loss38–13–1 Axel SchulzUD10Dec 7, 1996 Vienna, Austria-
51Win38–12–1 James HolleyTKO1 Apr 6, 1996 Peel's Palace, Erlanger, Kentucky, U.S.
50Win37–12–1 Bruce JohnsonKO1 Dec 9, 1995 MARK of the Quad Cities, Moline, Illinois, U.S.
49Win36–12–1 Carlton WestTKO1 Oct 11, 1995 International Ballroom, Washington, D.C., U.S.
48Win35–12–1 George HarrisTKO2 Sep 22, 1995 Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort, Chester, West Virginia, U.S.
47Win34–12–1 John Basil JacksonPTS8 Mar 15, 1995 Harmarville, Pennsylvania, U.S.
46Loss33–12–1 Joe HippKO2, 1:53May 10, 1994 Mashantucket, Connecticut, U.S.For NABF heavyweight title
45Loss33–11–1 Tony TubbsUD3Dec 3, 1993 Casino Magic, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, U.S.
44Win33–10–1 Derek WilliamsSD3Dec 3, 1993 Casino Magic, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, U.S.
43Loss32–10–1 Larry HolmesUD10Sep 28, 1993 Casino Magic, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, U.S.
42Win32–9–1 Wes TurnerTKO4Jul 10, 1993 Fernwood Resort, Bushkill, Pennsylvania, U.S.
41Loss31-9–1 Michael DokesUD10Oct 6, 1992 Mahi Shrine Temple, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
40Loss31–8–1 Frank BrunoKO2, 1:44Apr 22, 1992 Wembley Arena, London, England
39Loss31–7–1 Pierre CoetzerPTS10May 11, 1991 Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S.
38Loss31–6–1 Bruce Seldon3, 3:00Jan 11, 1991 Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
37Loss31–5–1 Tim WitherspoonMD10Jul 19, 1990 Kingdome, Seattle, Washington, U.S.
36Win31–4–1 Michael JohnsonKO2Feb 9, 1990 Palacio de los Deportes, Zaragoza, Spain
35Win30–4–1 Jose AllencastroKO2Oct 6, 1989 Zaragoza, Spain
34Win29–4–1 Jeff SimsUD10Jul 21, 1989 Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
33Win28–4–1 Jerry HairstonKO1Jun 2, 1989 Holiday Inn, Parkersburg, West Virginia, U.S.
32Win27–4–1 Jose GarciaKO1Jun 3, 1988 Raleigh County Armory, Beckley, West Virginia, U.S.
31Win26-4-1 Steve ZouskiUD10Sep 12, 1987 James L. Knight Center, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
30Win25–4–1 Mark YoungUD10May 16, 1987 Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
29Win24–4–1 Leon SpinksTKO1, 2:10Jan 17, 1987 Coconut Grove Convention Center, Miami, Florida, U.S.
28Win23–4–1 John WilliamsTKO2, 0:50Sep 26, 1986 Abel Holtz Stadium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
27Loss22–4–1 Mike TysonTKO10, 1:37Aug 17, 1986 Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
26Win22–3–1 Rick KellarKO1 Jun 20, 1986 Milander Auditorium, Hialeah, Florida, U.S.
25Win21–3–1 David JacoKO5 May 13, 1986 Bloomington, Minnesota, U.S.
24Win20–3–1 Jeff FreeneyKO1 Apr 4, 1986 Convention Center, Coconut Grove, Florida, U.S.
23Win19–3–1 Al HouckKO3 Mar 4, 1986 Auditorium, Coconut Grove, Florida, U.S.
22Loss18–3–1 Marvis Frazier10Sep 11, 1985 Trump Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
21Win18–2–1 Ernie BarrUD10Jul 23, 1985 Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
20Loss17–2–1 James Smith10Apr 29, 1985 Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
19Draw17–1–1 Cecil CoffeePTS10Oct 18, 1984 Atlantis Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
18Win17–1 Nate RobinsonTKO2 Jul 26, 1984 Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
17Win16–1 Jimmy JonesPTS8Mar 8, 1984 James Knight Convention Center, Miami, Florida, U.S.
16Win15–1 Juan Antonio Figueroa7 Dec 15, 1983 Resorts International, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
15Win14–1 Ishaq HusseinTKO6 Oct 25, 1983 Playboy Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
14Win13–1 Robert EvansUD8Sep 1, 1983 Resorts International, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
13Win12–1 Tom PraterUD8Jun 3, 1983 Milander Auditorium, Hialeah, Florida, U.S.
12Win11–1 Ron HarryTKO6 Apr 29, 1983 Ventura Skating Center, Hialeah, Florida, U.S.
11Loss10–1 Ricardo RichardsonTKO7 Jun 1, 1982 Milander Auditorium, Hialeah, Florida, U.S.
10Win10–0 Miles PrinceTKO2Jan 14, 1983 Milander Auditorium, Hialeah, Florida, U.S.
9Win9–0 Nate RobinsonTKO5Nov 6, 1982 War Memorial Auditorium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S.
8Win8–0 John L JohnsonKO1Oct 21, 1982 Ventura Skating Center, Hialeah, Florida, U.S.
7Win7–0 Al LetickyKO1 Sep 30, 1982 Ventura Skating Center, Hialeah, Florida, U.S.
6Win6–0 Curtis GaskinsTKO2 Jul 20, 1982 War Memorial Auditorium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S.
5Win5–0 Gabriel SaenzKO2 Jul 9, 1982 Milander Auditorium, Hialeah, Florida, U.S.
4Win4–0 Kenneth WringKO3 Jun 18, 1982 Milander Auditorium, Hialeah, Florida, U.S.
3Win3–0 Ken Davis4May 21, 1982 Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
2Win2–0 Douglas Fowler2 Feb 5, 1982 North Miami Beach Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
1Win1–0 J C Richardson1 Jan 20, 1982 War Memorial Auditorium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S.