MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Heavyweight boxing champion and Clarksburg native Tommy “Franco” Thomas has died. He was 67 years old.
In a professional boxing career that spanned 42 bouts from 1977-1986, Thomas posted a 34-8 record with 21 knockouts. He climbed to No. 6 in the world rankings. Thomas was also recognized as the West Virginia state heavyweight champion from 1979-1986. Prior to turning professional, Thomas went 46-10 as an amateur. He won West Virginia and Pittsburgh Golden Gloves championships in 1977 and was a national semifinalist in Golden Gloves.
Following the end of his professional boxing career, Thomas opened the Tommy Thomas Boxing Club in downtown Clarksburg, providing free boxing lessons to young people. He also served as a Clarksburg police officer and was a DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) officer for fifteen years.