Henry TILLMAN

Henry Tillman won a silver medal in heavyweight at the 1983 Pan American Games, and twice defeated Mike Tyson as an amateur. After winning a gold medal in the heavyweight class at the 1984 Olympics, Tillman turned professional but never managed to win a major title. In 1987 he fought Evander Holyfield for the WBA cruiserweight title, but lost by 7th round TKO. In 1990 Tillman fought Tyson as a pro, with Tyson winning in a first round knockout. Tillman retired in 1996 with a professional record of 25 wins (16 by KO) and 6 losses.

At the 1984 Olympics, Tillman met Gina Hemphill, Jesse Owens’ granddaughter, who carried the Olympic Torch into the Los Angeles Coliseum at the Opening Ceremony. They married in 1987, but divorced in the 1990s. Tillman had a difficult life, having served time in prison twice before the 1984 Olympics. In 2004 he was sentenced to 37 months in prison after pleading guilty to federal identity theft charges.