37 years ago

Date: 12th December 1986

Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York

Title: WBA World Heavyweight Title

Promoter: Don King

Tv: HBO World Championship Boxing

James Smith
( 18 - 5 - 0 )
Weight: 228 1/2 lbs

Tim Witherspoon
( 25 - 2 - 0 )
Weight: 233 1/2 lbs

Witherspoon was expected to make a safe defence of the WBA Heavyweight title he had won from Tony Tubbs in January 1986 due to having widely outpointed Smith (all 3 judges scoring 119-109) in June 1985. However, Smith had other ideas and launched an all-out attack on Witherspoon as the first bell rang. Smith it seemed couldn't miss with right hands and after three knockdowns referee, Luis Rivera called a halt to proceedings at 2:12 of the round.

The win led to a unification match with Mike Tyson 3 months later at the Las Vegas Hilton, Outdoor Arena.