How good was Bonecrusher Smith?

Bonecrusher Smith was a heck of a puncher.
He wasn't a great boxer, and when he was getting outboxed he lacked the real die-hard desire of a champion, he kind of coasted. And he downright choked against Tyson.
But he was a hell of a puncher, and when he was at his peak he was a fine physical specimen in impeccable shape.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4eT8YAkpAg[/ame]

 

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFb13F5K8Pw&feature=related[/ame]

4:45 - awesome power.

Smith was already past his best, and a bit heavy for the Ruddock fight.

 

Ruddock always went down in a heap, but he always got up. Crusher was just so slow and such a horrible finisher. At least Bruno froze against the ropes so he could hit him. Funny how some guys are gifted with certain talents.

 

he was robbed in Brazil against Maguila....
I never watched the fight (I was a kid at the time), just heard a lot of people had Smith winning....

anyone remember that?

 

Rodrigues winning a dodgy decision in Brazil? LOL, you surprise me!

Johnny Nelson was robbed blind too, me thinks these two were not alone.

 

"Old Bones" Smith had good coaching and training early on in his career, but he was just too stocky / buffed and it killed his speed and reflexes... Had he owned speed and some reflexes, Smith would've won many of the fights he lost by decision...

MR.BILLhat

 

Bone Crusher was mediocre but I loved his first round demolition of Witherspoon AND shocking KO of Weaver

 

Just did a quick review of a few fights. Vs Ribalta, Witherspoon, Bruno, Ruddock.

Smith was your classic heavyweight. Big, strong as a bull, hits like a truck, but very slow and lacks finesse. As wide open as a barn door during a tornado. But he made up for it with his chin. In the 2nd Witherspoon fight for example, after scoring a knockdown Smith tries to follow up to finish Witherspoon off. Smith walks right into a vicious right hand counter that landed flush, and he doesn't even blink and continues to batter poor Witherspoon.

Smith was also an underrated body puncher. Against Ruddock he landed some left uppercuts up close showing he had decent inside fighting skills (possibly due to Frazier's tutelage...?). The guy was quite the crowd pleaser throwing wild, sizzling power shots that could turn things around in an instant (as seen with his dramatic come from behind KO against Bruno after trailing on the cards). It's unfortunate that people only remember his lackluster effort against Tyson where he earned the local forum nick name "bone clutcher". Tyson seemed very excited about the fight hoping to have an entertaining slug fest with a fellow puncher but it was less entertaining than your average sparring match.

That wasn't the only time Smith just didn't deliver. He somehow managed to lose to guys like Marvis or Rodrigues. He somehow managed to beat guys like Weaver, Witherspoon, etc. Sometimes he does better in rematches, other times he does worse. Sometimes he showed tremendous heart and put it all on the line, other times he just goes through the motions with minimal effort. In other words, a real hot/cold inconsistent fighter. He managed to beat a few contenders and champs and did grab one of the 80's belts despite starting late and having limited boxing ability and no speed so you have to give him props for that.

Overall, nowhere near my favorite boxer, and he could have done more with more discipline and dedication. His career gets a C- for me. But he was very entertaining to watch at his best. I wish we could have seen him scrap with guys like Tex Cobb, Hoylfield, and Mercer. Those would have been sensational slug fests depending on when in their careers they happened.