James Smith (boxer)
| James Smith | |
|---|---|
| Statistics | |
| Nickname(s) | Bonecrusher |
| Rated at | Heavyweight |
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) |
| Reach | 82 in (208 cm) |
| Nationality | American |
| Born |
April 3, 1953 Magnolia, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 62 |
| Wins | 44 |
| Wins by KO | 32 |
| Losses | 17 |
| Draws | 1 |
James "Bonecrusher" Smith (born April 3, 1953) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1981 to 1999, and held the WBA heavyweight title from 1986 to 1987. He was the first heavyweight champion with a college degree.
Smith was born in Magnolia, North Carolina. After graduating from high school in, he attended James Sprunt Community College in Kenansville, North Carolina, earning an associate's degree in Business Administration in 1973. Two years later, he earned a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina.
After serving in the US military and working as a prison guard, Smith competed as an amateur compiling a record of 35-4, before turning professional in November 1981, at the late age of 28.
He lost his first fight against James "Broad-Axe" Broad, a world class amateur and qualifier for the 1980 Olympics who was 2–0 as a pro. The fight was broadcast on ESPN, and Smith had come in at short notice and was not in great shape, looking out of depth against the skilled Broad. Smith was dropped in 4 rounds with body shots, and counted out.
The following year Smith upset future cruiserweight world champion and southpaw Ricky Parkey, then 2–0 as a pro, by winning a 6 round points decision. After scoring two knockouts, Smith followed up the Parkey win with another upset, an 8 round points decision over Chris McDonald, who was 8–0–1 as a pro and had been a top amateur. He went on to score nine straight knockouts, before traveling to the UK in 1984 to fight a world title eliminator against the hard hitting undefeated British prospect Frank Bruno, who was 21–0 (21 KO). Once again Bonecrusher would throw a spanner in the works. Having been outboxed with relative ease by Bruno for the first nine rounds, he unleashed a salvo of power punches to KO Bruno in the tenth and final round, and qualified for a world title shot. The fight showed all his strengths and weaknesses — he couldn't box with the best, but had a great chin and world class power in both hands.
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