During the 1970’s and 80’s the great State of Ohio produced many a fine heavyweight. Michael Dokes and Tony Tubbs won fragments of the heavyweight crown. Although he never won a piece of the title, Earnie Shavers was probably the state’s most popular big man. There were others like rugged Ted Gullick and the lanky, smooth boxing Mike Koranicki.
It was in 1973 that Koranicki broke into the pro ranks. Boxing mostly out of Miami Beach, Mike won his first eleven fights. Twice during that streak he outscored the highly touted James Summerville. Mike met defeat for the first time in his twelfth bout losing a decision in his New York debut to Rochelle Norris. Mike was halted by John Berry two fights later. Mike bounced back in 1976 with wins over Harold Carter and in Philly against Joe Gholsten. Mike next dropped a decision to spoiler Wendell Bailey and then returned to Philadelphia to draw with Gholsten.
In 1977 Mike reeled off six straight wins among his victims were tough journeyman Tom Prater, former amateur star Nick Wells and fringe contender George Chaplin. Mike finished the year with a draw against Fili Moala. Mike had one fight in 1979 as he was again in Philadelphia to outscore Jerry Thompkins.
The year 1979 started off badly as Mike traveled to London and was halted by John L. Gardner. He returned to the U.S. and lost a return go with Chaplin. Then on December 19th Mike appeared in Cape Town, South Africa as an opponent for Kallie Knoetze. Koranicki was a decided underdog but he put on a boxing clinic and scored a major upset by stopping Knoetze in the tenth round. The win thrust Mike into the world rankings and into a match with Knoetze’s fellow countrymen, Gerrie Coetzee. Gerrie was one of the best heavyweights around and he overwhelmed Mike scoring a first round KO. Four months later Mike would appear in Chicago to take on the talented James “Quick ” Tillis “. James out boxed Mike over ten rounds thus removing Koranicki from contender status.