Anyone here believe Witherspoon took a dive against Smith ?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Unforgiven, Nov 1, 2008.


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  1. Unforgiven

    Unforgiven VIP Member banned Full Member

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    I think he just came in out-of-shape and unfocussed and got caught with some massive punches. He tried to fight back but Smith just overwhelmed him.

    [YT]nUBepSwHRI8&feature=related[/YT]
     
    Unforgiven, Nov 1, 2008
    Unforgiven, Nov 1, 2008
    #1
  2. tommy the hat

    tommy the hat Active Member Full Member

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    There has been talk of that, how Don King made Witherspoon's life such a living hell that it got to the point that Tim was desperate to do anything to break free from King. That could very well mean losing to Bonecrusher on purpose(whom he beat easily in a previous bout) Yes the loss cost him a unification fight with Tyson, but maybe Tim figured what's the difference, it might be a big purse, but I will probably get only 10% of it anyway.
     
    tommy the hat, Nov 1, 2008
    tommy the hat, Nov 1, 2008
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  3. Russell

    Russell Loyal Member Full Member

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    A poster here says that King told Witherspoon "Throw the fight or you're going to test positive for drugs". I believe him, all things considered.

    Some fighters who take dives do let themselves be hit, obviously. What's a few punches compared to you throwing a fight being noticed and you being banned from life or fined or some such?
     
    Russell, Nov 1, 2008
    Russell, Nov 1, 2008
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  4. ChrisPontius

    ChrisPontius March 8th, 1971 Full Member

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    Maybe, maybe not, but the fight looked legit to me. Smith is limited but hits like a truck and caught Witherspoon cold right at the opening bell. This is heavyweight boxing and sometimes a fighter is out of after one shot. Witherspoon did cover up and threw a few hard punches in return, but to no avail. You can never know with King's fishy business, especially in the 80's, but it looked legit to me.
     
    ChrisPontius, Nov 1, 2008
    ChrisPontius, Nov 1, 2008
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  5. DamonD

    DamonD Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Damn, I'd forgotten how clumsy Bonecrusher looked in this one. Considering this is the biggest moment of his career, it would've been nice to look a little smoother! He always had a good dig on him though.
     
    DamonD, Nov 1, 2008
    DamonD, Nov 1, 2008
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  6. Unforgiven

    Unforgiven VIP Member banned Full Member

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    Looks to me as if Witherspoon came out, threw a jab and Smith countered with an almighty right-hand that he never recovered from.
    Smith was perhaps the hardest hitting heavyweight in the world, caught an out-of-shape and emotionally distracted Witherspoon cold and in the opening seconds.

    Two conflicting versions of the "deliberately lost" tale being offered here -
    1. Witherspoon lost on purpose to escape Don King
    2. Witherspoon lost on purpose because Don King insisted

    I dont believe either story over and above the more likely explanation. Smith's opening seconds counter over the jab (that probably KOs 95% of heavyweights) seems like a punch that Witherspoon didn't necessarily deliberately walk straight into. I give Smith some credit for what seems like a very good counter-punch and an aggressive motivated start, and as good as Witherspoon was I dont credit him with being impossible to hit with such a punch even on his best day. Sometimes fighters get caught, esp. at heavyweight. Better fighters than Witherspoon have been caught cold.
     
    Unforgiven, Nov 1, 2008
    Unforgiven, Nov 1, 2008
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  7. Russell

    Russell Loyal Member Full Member

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    You really think Smith was potentially the hardest hitting heavy in the world? :think
     
    Russell, Nov 1, 2008
    Russell, Nov 1, 2008
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  8. Doppleganger

    Doppleganger Southside Slugger Full Member

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    Watched it again and still very fishy for me. Firstly there isn't a 3 knockdown rule in effect and then there is? The ref waved the fight over when Witherspoon went down for the 3rd time, as if there was a 3 knockdown rule in effect. Look at Tim in the corner after the 3rd knockdown and he doesn't even look dazed.

    IMO Witherspoon threw the fight, for an unknown reason.
     
    Doppleganger, Nov 1, 2008
    Doppleganger, Nov 1, 2008
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  9. Unforgiven

    Unforgiven VIP Member banned Full Member

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    Yeah.
    Smith couldn't do much else but punch.
    He hit like a mule kicks. No one in the business questioned that aspect of his game. He was brute force and not much else.
     
    Unforgiven, Nov 1, 2008
    Unforgiven, Nov 1, 2008
    #9
  10. MRBILL

    MRBILL Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Spoon was soft and unfocused. Plus, he came in ice cold, as well... Smith saw the window of opportunity and jumped on top of Spoon. Spoon got whacked-out by some wicked shots from James Smith.... It was all on the level.... Christ, after the second knockdown, Spoon spat out a tooth during the refs count.... Spoon got dropped a total of 3 X and was iced in rd one.... Peace....:admin

    MR.BILL
     
    MRBILL, Nov 1, 2008
    MRBILL, Nov 1, 2008
    #10
  11. Unforgiven

    Unforgiven VIP Member banned Full Member

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    good post, MR.BILL

    that's exactly how it looks to me. Witherspoon was ambushed. the punches were real, and HARD.

    The guy got up 3 - no, actually 4 ! - times from knockdowns, was spitting out blood and teeth.
     
    Unforgiven, Nov 1, 2008
    Unforgiven, Nov 1, 2008
    #11
  12. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    Looks on the level to my eyes. If not, it was one hell of an acting job by Witherspoon. Smith could not do much, but hit with power was one thing he COULD do.
     
    Seamus, Nov 1, 2008
    Seamus, Nov 1, 2008
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  13. anut

    anut Boxing Addict banned

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    no dive...............he got his teeth knocked out against smith...........he was training for mitch green and then king put him with boecrusher:smoke:smoke:smoke
     
    anut, Nov 1, 2008
    anut, Nov 1, 2008
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  14. MRBILL

    MRBILL Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    WRONG! Spoon was suppose to rematch Tony Blubbs... Er, Uh, TUBBS!:smoke

    MR.BILL
     
    MRBILL, Nov 1, 2008
    MRBILL, Nov 1, 2008
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  15. Bummy Davis

    Bummy Davis Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    he got caught cold, Smith came out fast looking for the KO and Smith was usually a little passive, Spoon never recovered
     
    Bummy Davis, Nov 1, 2008
    Bummy Davis, Nov 1, 2008
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