Frank Tate (boxer)

Frank Tate (born August 27, 1964 in Detroit, MI) was an American boxer.

Tate was the 1983 National Golden Gloves light middleweight champion. He also won the Light Middleweight Gold medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics even though he had standing eight-counts administered to him twice in the second round of the gold medal bout against Canadian fighter Shawn O'Sullivan. When Tate received his gold medal, he was booed by the American audience due to the controversial decision.

Olympic results

• 1st round bye
• Defeated Lofti Ayed (Sweden) 5-0
• Defeated Romolo Casamonica (Italy) 5-0
• Defeated Christopher Kapopo (Zambia) RSC 1
• Defeated Manfred Zielonka (West Germany) walk-over
• Defeated Shawn O'Sullivan (Canada) 5-0

Middleweight

Tate began his professional career in December 1984. At 20-0, Tate won the vacant IBF middleweight title by beating Michael Olajide over fifteen rounds at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas in October 1987. Tate successfully defended his title against Tony Sibson with a tenth round stoppage in Staffordshire, England, before losing his belt to undefeated phenom Michael Nunn in nine rounds at Caesars Palace in July 1988.

Super-middleweight

In January 1990 at Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans, Louisiana, Tate boxed Lindell Holmes for the vacant IBF super-middleweight title, losing a close majority decision.

Light-heavyweight

Following the defeat, Tate moved up to light-heavyweight and defeated Uriah Grant and Andrew Maynard on a six fight win streak to set up a fight for the vacant WBA title against Virgil Hill in 1992. Tate lost a unanimous decision. After four more wins, Tate was granted a rematch with Hill in 1994 but again lost a convincing decision. This was Tate's last major fight, and after several victories over limited competition he was stopped in four rounds against David Telesco in his final pro bout.