A fighter i've not read much about on here. Remarkable record for the sheer number of top fighters he shared a ring with. Shot to prominence with a win over Bruno then got a shot at Holmes after around only 15 pro fights. Suffered a run of loses before a run of good wins (Weaver / Ferguson / Bey ) before beating Witherspoon for a version of the title, then fighting Tyson. His resume is a who's who of 80' s boxing at HW. Your thoughts on him and his career ?
Smith was tough and hard-hitting HW, but he wasn't quick or very skilled. I think he was the man who hurt Tyson the most before Douglas (more than Bruno or Tucker). Yet people forget about it as Tyson won nearly every round in an unspectacular fight. Smith also hurt Larry Holmes in a losing effort, and his win over iron-chinned Witherspoon once again proved how hard did he hit. But he was relatively easy to outbox, as was proven by Witherspoon 1, Tubbs or even not so skilled opponents.
One dimensional fighter. Unbelievably slow, and hampered greatly by not starting his career until a later than normal age (he'd graduated college, served in the military, and done various other things before ever going into boxing). But definitely one of the hardest punchers of his era. He came off as a likable, intelligent guy in interviews (unlike many of his contemporaries) so I usually liked seeing him win, even though his fights were often boring.
Was a dangerous bloke .when on form would give any HW in history a tough night. I used to like that thing he did with His eyes when he won a fight.
First time I saw him was the Bruno fight. The papers had Bruno winning this one easily before hand so when Smith ko d Frank was a big upset. When he took on tyson was really expecting fire work s.. But he did crack tyson at the end. Just wish he'd got a few more in in the fight. Big strong guy who on the right nite could do some damage. Last I read about him hes still got his health which is good.
Smith was a big athlete. A real one. And he was an intelligent guy who knew his limits but also knew he was strong enough to take anyone out. He had a tough apprenticeship after starting late but stuck it through an made the grade. You have to respect that. About the best thing I can recomend about him is for folks to watch the two Witherspoon fights back to back. What courage it must have took! The first fight was an absolute beating, Witherspoon really put in an ATG worthy performance against Smith, a mismatch. Second time, Smith bit down on his gum shield and came out swinging. And he didn't stop until they waved it off. That guy had some belief in himself!
Choklab, I'm going to watch the smith_withersooon fight first fight later. I've never seen the first but the second half a dozen times at least. I never realised Tim beat Smith that much. So you've inspired me to watch it later.
Jim Smith worked as a prison guard for a while until his boxing career took off. along the way he acquired a college degree and later purchased an insurance company in Magnolia NC. He had a boxing career which ranged from moderate to very good success. Today he seems to be doing ok.
Bonecrusher was my man back in the day. Was a real smart and funny guy. His post fight interview after beating Bruno was classic "he kept throwing that job and lord bless him he finally stopped so could hit him". He and Pinklon were fun guys.
Unbelievably slow, hehe this comment made me laugh ... he really was slow, but man did he looked big vs tyson.... tyson looked like a child in there, and mike was a big, thick guy