James Smith

Biography

James "Bonecrusher" Smith's career was filled with dramatic and devastating highs, with several key moments shaping his place in heavyweight boxing history. From his professional debut in 1981 to his battles against some of the most significant fighters of the 1980s, Smith carved out a career based on power, heart, and toughness.

Smith made his professional debut on November 5, 1981, against James Broad, but it was a rough start for the North Carolina native. He suffered a fourth-round knockout loss, but his resilience quickly became evident as he bounced back with a string of victories, showcasing his immense knockout power.
On May 13, 1984, Smith's career took a major step forward when he faced the British contender Frank Bruno at Wembley Arena in London. Bruno was the favourite, dominating much of the fight and building a solid lead on the scorecards. However, Smith's unrelenting power proved decisive in the 10th round. With Bruno ahead, Smith landed a stunning knockout punch that sent Bruno to the canvas and sealed a dramatic win in the final round. The victory put Smith on the map as a dangerous contender in the heavyweight division.

Later that year, Smith received his first shot at the heavyweight crown, challenging Larry Holmes for the IBF World Heavyweight title on November 9, 1984, at the Riviera Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas. The reigning champion and future Hall of Famer, Holmes was too skilled for Smith. Despite Smith's powerful punching, Holmes used his superior technique to outbox him, eventually stopping Smith in the 12th round by TKO to retain his title.

Undeterred by the loss, Smith continued his pursuit of the heavyweight championship. On April 5, 1986, Smith squared off against Mike Weaver in a crucial matchup. A former champion, Weaver was expected to present a stiff challenge, but Smith's power overwhelmed him in the first round. Smith knocked Weaver out in just 1 minute 20 seconds, securing a stunning first-round TKO victory. The win revived Smith's hopes for a title shot and further solidified his place as one of the division's hardest hitters.

Later that year, on December 12, 1986, Smith took on Tim Witherspoon in a rematch for the WBA World Heavyweight title. Witherspoon had previously defeated Smith in 1985, but this time, Smith was determined to make it right. The fight was a different story, as Smith unleashed his powerful punches early in the contest, stopping Witherspoon in the first round by TKO to capture the WBA title. This victory marked the peak of Smith's career, as he finally achieved his dream of becoming a world champion.

However, Smith's reign as champion would be short-lived. On March 7, 1987, he faced the up-and-coming Mike Tyson in a highly anticipated matchup for the WBC and WBA heavyweight titles. Tyson, the ferocious young champion, was at the peak of his powers and quickly demonstrated why he was considered one of the most dangerous fighters in boxing history. Despite Smith's considerable size and power, Tyson's speed and precision proved too much, and he won the fight by unanimous decision. Smith fought valiantly but was outclassed by Tyson's dominance, and his reign as WBA champion ended in defeat.

Though Smith's time at the top was brief, his career continued with several more notable fights. He battled some of the biggest names in the division but never again reached the heights of his 1986 victory over Witherspoon.

James "Bonecrusher" Smith's career was defined by a few key victories, such as his sensational knockout of Frank Bruno and his quick and decisive win over Tim Witherspoon for the WBA title. His losses, however, came at the hands of some of the best in the sport, including Larry Holmes, Mike Tyson, and others. Despite never holding onto the world title for long, Smith's legacy is one of toughness, heart, and a constant desire to fight the best. His raw power and determination made him one of the most memorable heavyweights of the 1980s.