Dokes Arrested, Allegedly Fled Police

Michael Dokes, former World Boxing Assn. heavyweight champion, was booked for investigation of possession of cocaine, being under the influence of a controlled substance, resisting arrest, destruction of evidence, speeding and failing to register with police as an ex-felon, Las Vegas police said Sunday.

Dokes was released Sunday morning after posting a bond for $9,800. Arraignment was set for Feb. 4 at Las Vegas Justice Court, police said.

Police gave this account:

Dokes was driving a Mercedes-Benz when he was stopped for allegedly speeding at 8:15 p.m. Saturday on U.S. Highway 95. Told he was under arrest, Dokes “said he wasn’t going” and began to run. Dokes then tossed a bag containing a white substance from his pocket.

Dokes was captured in a vacant lot. The contents of the bag were under investigation.

Dokes won the WBA title in December of 1982 with a first-round technical knockout of Mike Weaver, then lost it to Gerrie Coetzee in September of 1983.

Dokes subsequently was convicted on cocaine charges and spent time in rehabilitation therapy. After a 33-month layoff, he began a comeback in December of 1987.

In March of 1990, Dokes was stopped in the 10th round by Evander Holyfield. In April, he was knocked out by Donovan Ruddock in the fourth round, dropping his record to 41-3-2 with 27 knockouts.

At the time, he was ranked fourth by the World Boxing Council and WBA and fifth by the International Boxing Federation.