37 years ago

Date: 12th December 1986

Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York, USA

Title: WBA World Heavyweight Title

Promoter: Don King Productions

Tv: HBO World Championship Boxing

Tim Witherspoon
( 25 - 2 - 0 )
Weight: 233½ lbs

James Smith
( 18 - 5 - 0 )
Weight: 228½ lbs

Tim Witherspoon was initially scheduled to defend his WBA Heavyweight Title against Tony Tubbs in a rematch, but Tubbs withdrew, citing a shoulder injury. Promoter Don King substituted James "Bonecrusher" Smith, who had lost to Witherspoon in a previous bout, as the challenger, despite Witherspoon's objections. The fight was part of HBO's heavyweight title unification tournament.

James Smith came out aggressively from the opening bell, landing heavy right hands on Witherspoon's head. The champion was hurt early, and a big right hand appeared to cause his knee to touch the mat, although the referee did not rule it a knockdown. Moments later, a solid left hook sent Witherspoon down for the first time in his career. He rose at the count of four but was on unsteady legs.

Smith continued his assault, dropping Witherspoon with another right hand. The champion got up at the count of five, spitting out a tooth. As Witherspoon stumbled forward, Smith connected with another right hand, sending him to the canvas for the third time. Referee Luis Rivera immediately invoked the WBA's three-knockdown rule and waved the fight over at 2:12 of the opening round.

The stunning upset victory earned James Smith the WBA Heavyweight Title and a $230,000 payday, a significant increase from the $35,000 he was set to earn for a planned bout against Mitch Green. The win also set up a unification match with WBC champion Mike Tyson, which Smith would lose by unanimous decision on March 7, 1987.

For Tim Witherspoon, the loss marked the end of his second reign as WBA champion and proved to be his last world title fight. He would continue boxing until 2003 but never received another shot at a major world championship.

Interesting Facts:

• The attendance for the bout was only 5,042, leaving approximately 17,000 empty seats at Madison Square Garden.
• Shortly before the fight, it was announced that Smith had signed over 50% of his promotional contract to Carl King, Don King's son.
• Mike Tyson, who was in attendance, referred to the fight as a "wonderful punching performance" after witnessing Smith's dominant victory.
• Witherspoon had one of his front teeth knocked out during the bout.
• The fight was part of the Heavyweight World Series, a tournament designed to crown an undisputed heavyweight champion, as the division had been fragmented since 1978.