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.

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.

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.