James Smith (Boxer)

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

Career

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

After a series of thirteen victories, he was invited in 1984 as the opponent of undefeated at this time Frank Bruno to England. He was to the last lap on points significantly, but could the fight by a knockout to decide yet in his favor. This earned him a title shot against Larry Holmes, in which he was, however, no chance and lost early in the eleventh round.

In 1985, he defeated Tony Tubbs, Jose Ribalta beat briefly and then defeated Tim Witherspoon each on points. Even Marvis Frazier, the moderately successful son of Joe Frazier, beat him in 1986, but Smith was back with a first-round knockout against former WBA heavyweight champion Mike Weaver and the points victory over David Bey on track.

On December 12, 1986, he punched a second time against Witherspoon, this time it went to WBA title. Witherspoon was involved in a process with Don King, Smith underestimated probably because of his clear victory before. The " Bonecrusher " used the freezing of, hit him with his batting in the very first round knockout and thus secured the world title.

However, early in his first title defense, he lost the belt in a unification fight with the young, aspiring WBC titlist Mike Tyson.

His career took another twelve years but he never again managed a significant victory. He defeated among others, Donovan Ruddock, Greg Page, Michael Moorer, Axel Schulz, Joe Bugner and in his last fight in 1999, however Larry Holmes.