Status: Former WBA Heavyweight champion. Turned pro in 1981 at age 28. Retired in 1999. Final pro record is 44-17-1 (32 KO’s). Is the first Heavyweight champion with a college degree (Business Admin. from Shaw University in Raleigh, NC).
DOB: April 3, 1953 In: Magnolia, NC
Childhood Hero: “Muhammad Ali.”
Hobbies/Interests: “Play golf, and I speak to young kids at the high schools.”
Favorite Movie: “I like Shawshank Redemption.”
Musical Tastes: “Classical.”
Early Boxing Memory: “I guess losing my first pro fight. In Atlantic City (1981). Fought James Broad in my first fight on ESPN. Got stopped (in four rounds). That was a very memorable experience. It was an accumulation of punches Kinda wore down.”
Greatest Sports Moment: “Taking the (WBA) Heavyweight title on seven days notice. Flying up and knocking Tim Witherspoon out in the first round to become Heavyweight champion of the world (1986 at Madison Square Garden). I was up for the fight. I had fought Tim before and I knew if the fight went a long time that he’d be tough later on in the fight. And so I just jumped right on him. The very first punch I hit him with (right hand), he was in trouble. I guess you could say he went back and I knocked him down three times in the first round. I’m the champ [smiles].”
Most Painful Moment: “12 rounds with Tyson. It was a brutal fight. I got cut early in the first round. But I hit him with a very sharp right hand in the 12th round, staggered him. I think I fought too defensive of a fight that fight. And looking back, I probably could have beat Tyson in that fight.”
Favorite Meal: “Chili [laughs].”
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Vanilla.”
Pre-Fight Feeling: “Well, you have nervous energy. You want to go in and try to avoid getting hurt. But you want to win the fight as quick as possible.”
Funny Memory: “One of my fights I split my shorts [laughs]. I just fought through it. Early in my career. Most of my fights were on TV but I don’t think that one was.”
Favorite Boxer To Watch: “Roy Jones. I think he was a very exciting fighter. He showed he can fight in different weight classes. I like to see Bernard Hopkins too. To me, he’s a great fighter.”
Toughest Opponent: “I would say Tyson was the toughest fight I had. Because the media had built him up so great. And he was very difficult for me to hit. When I was throwing my right hand, he would duck underneath it. Larry Holmes was tough. But I could hit Larry Holmes. If I could hit a guy I could get him in trouble.”
Residence: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Topics: 12 Rounds, Bonecrusher, Champion Of The World, Childhood Hero, Espn, Greatest Sports, Heavyweight Champion Of The World, Hobbies Interests, James Bonecrusher Smith, Madison Square Garden, Magnolia Nc, Muhammad Ali, Musical Tastes, Nervous Energy, Painful Moment, Shaw University, Sports Moment, Tim Witherspoon, Wba Heavyweight Champion, Wba Heavyweight Title
Biofile with James "Bonecrusher" Smith | 