Michael “Dynamite” Dokes turned professional in 1976. He received national exposure in a televised exhibition with Muhammad Ali in 1977.

By JUDITH LYNN LEE
Contributing Writer

AKRON-- “I stand here with those who say that Michael was more than what was said in the newspaper, he was more than a few lines on the internet.”

Those were the words of Pastor Dennis K. Butts as he gave the eulogy during the funeral services of the man who earned the name “Dynamite.”

Michael Marshall “Dynamite” Dokes, former World Heavy Weight Boxing Champ, passed away August 11, a day after his 54th birthday. He battled Liver Cancer.

It’s no news to those who knew Dokes that he had faults, but many agree that those faults should not define their Akron sports hero.

Butts made it clear Dokes had a relationship with the Lord and, despite his short comings; he was no different than anybody else. “We all are like lost sheep that are prone the stray and we have all done things that we are not proud of.”

The House of the Lord Pastor of Special Ministries said he had often met with Dokes and told the Champ that everything is going to be okay. “God has the kind of love that forgives… God has a way of lifting you up and restoring your wounded soul.”

George “Future Shock” Dowdell described him and Dokes as “BFF,” Best Friends Forever.

The two were almost inseparable from elementary on. Using different characters from the Bible, Dowdell compared them to his friend. “Michael was like Solomon because just as Solomon was David’s son, Mike was Sopora and Gordon’s son. Both Solomon and Mike were smart. They were raised with a lot of wisdom.”

Alisa Dokes-Williams described her brother as caring and intelligent. The 46-year old who cared for Dokes during his two-year cancer battle, said her brother was far greater than a big brother. “Michael was selfless and a leader that his family looked up to.”

Those who attended school with Dokes described their alumni as “a sharp dresser.”

“He always came to school fashionably dressed. He had this talent of making his own clothes and he was very good at it,” said South High Graduate Glen Herbert.

“Mike to me was an icon. I remember meeting Mike for the first time when we were thirteen-years old. My dad helped train Michael,” Fate Richard Davis stated. Richard is the son of Former Golden Glove Welterweight Boxing Champ, the late Fate Davis Jr.

Michael “Dynamite” Dokes turned professional in 1976. He received national exposure in a televised exhibition with Muhammad Ali in 1977. He came to real prominence in 1979 by defeating veteran contender Jimmy Young.

The Akronite became WBA Heavyweight Champion in 1982 by knocking out Mike Weaver in the first round but his reign was short lived. He lost his title by a tenth round knockout to Gerrie Coetzee.