James Smith (boxer)

James Smith
Data
Birth Name	James Smith
Fight name	Bonecrusher
Weight class	Heavyweight
nationality	US-american
birthday	April 3, 1953
place of birth	Magnolia
style	Left delivery
size	1.93 m
Range	2.08 cm
Combat Statistics
Struggles	62
Victories	44
Knockout victories	32
Defeats	17th
draw	1

James "Bonecrusher" Smith (born April 3, 1953 in Magnolia , North Carolina ) is a former American heavyweight boxer and WBA world champion.

career

Smith made a College Accounts at Shaw University and was only 29 years professional, but lost like his first fight in 1981 against James Broad by technical knockout .

After a series of thirteen victories, he was invited to England in 1984 as an opponent of Frank Bruno, who was undefeated at the time . He was clearly behind on points until the last round, but was able to decide the fight in his favor with a knockout. That brought him a title fight against Larry Holmes , in which he had no chance and lost prematurely in the eleventh round.

In 1985 he was defeated by Tony Tubbs , was able to beat Jose Ribalta and then lost to Tim Witherspoon on points. Marvis Frazier , the son of Joe Frazier , beat him in 1986, but Smith found his way back to success with a first-round knockout against ex- WBA world champion Mike Weaver and a points win over David Bey .

On December 12, 1986 he boxed a second time against Witherspoon, this time for the WBA title. Witherspoon was involved in a lawsuit with Don King , probably underestimated Smith because of his clear victory before. The "Bonecrusher" took advantage of this, knocked him out with his hitting hand in the first round and thus secured the world title.

In his first title defense, however, he lost the belt in a union battle with the young, aspiring WBC title holder Mike Tyson .

His career lasted another twelve years, but he never achieved another significant victory. He lost to Donovan Ruddock , Greg Page , Michael Moorer , Axel Schulz , Joe Bugner and in his last fight in 1999 again to Larry Holmes .

Web links

• James Smith in the BoxRec database

predecessor	Office	successor
Tim Witherspoon	Heavyweight Boxing Champion ( WBA ) December 12, 1986 - March 7, 1987	Mike Tyson