Bonecrusher Smith appreciation thread.

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Pugilist_Spec, Apr 24, 2016.


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  1. Pugilist_Spec

    Pugilist_Spec Hands Of Stone Full Member

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    Because why not.

    In spite of the constant talk of the the great fighters and their top opponents, it's guys like Bonecrusher that make boxing as exciting and interesting as it is, and they never get the proper recognition so here goes.

    Witty, intelligent and classy, Bonecrusher was one of the top fighters of the 1980s heavyweight division. Taking up the sport at the ripe age of 28, he was at an immediate disadvantage like all late starters. Lacking the natural instincts, being ponderous and slow on the trigger - defined his career and lost him so many fights that were basically in the bag.

    Nevertheless, his herculean strength, devastating punch and consistent gameness allowed him to have a fairly successful career and even capture a belt along the way.

    Turning pro in 1981, his career started as rocky as any. Smith was immediately overmatched. Going up against the amateur star James Broad, there was a canyon of experience setting them apart. Smith eventually gassed out, and got stopped. But he didn't let this loss discourage him, and he bounced back with 13 straight wins in a row. Next thing he knew, he was flying over to Britain to fight one of the best prospects in the division at the time - Frank Bruno. A massive underdog, Smith got dominated for most of the fight, but rallied in the last round and destroyed his opponent, receiving an invintation to fight long-time champion Larry Holmes in Las Vegas. Despite an admirable performance against Holmes, Smith was stopped on cuts and lost to Tony Tubbs the same year. Continuing with a tough schedule, he lost to top contender Tim Witherspoon, and suffered the most devastating setback of his career - a loss to the underwhelming Marvis Frazier. It appeared like the book was finished on him, but the sledgehammers in his gloves disagreed. Stopping former champion Mike Weaver in 1 round, Smith was right back up in the top echelons of the division. Beating David Bey and Jesse Ferguson earned him another shot over his previous conqueror, the WBA heavyweight champion Tim Witherspoon. Knowing that a huge payday against Tyson was on the line, Smith jumped straight out of his corner and knocked the everloving **** out of Timmy, dropping him 3 times in one round and fulfilling his dream - becoming a champion. It didn't last long though, as a rampaging Mike Tyson stopped his streak in a shut-out decision a few months later.

    This was basically the end of the road for Bonecrusher. He scored some minor wins, and remained a tough trialhorse involved in awesome slugfests for the rest of his career, but never replicated his former glory. Despite that, he will be remembered by me and many other fans as the type of fighter that boxing always needs - tough, fearless and always ready to knock your head off.
     
    Pugilist_Spec, Apr 24, 2016
    Pugilist_Spec, Apr 24, 2016
    #1
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  2. turnip

    turnip Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Very good post.I remember watching him beat Bruno when I was a lad he was a bit crude but kept coming and stopped Frank it was a big shock at the time especially for me .I followed his career after that a very dangerous bloke could give any heavy weight in history trouble. fighters used to give him wide birth still dangerous even when he was getting on a bit.he used to do that thing with his eyes to the TV cameras at the end of fights when he stopped someone that was funny. has got a web site in the states and a youth foundation seems to be a good guy who is putting something back into the community nice to see a ex pro doing well.
     
    turnip, Apr 24, 2016
    turnip, Apr 24, 2016
    #2
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  3. impacted

    impacted Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Great thread. Bonecrusher was a hell of a tough guy. A hugely determined man, solid man.
     
    impacted, Apr 24, 2016
    impacted, Apr 24, 2016
    #3
    Charles White likes this.
  4. mrkoolkevin

    mrkoolkevin Never wrestle with pigs or argue with fools Full Member

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    Great thread. Salute to Bonecrusher!
     
    mrkoolkevin, Apr 24, 2016
    mrkoolkevin, Apr 24, 2016
    #4
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  5. latineg

    latineg user of dude wipes Full Member

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    yes I always loved Bonecrusher, even when he sucked, lol,,,

    I always remember when he blitzed Witherspoon, he took such a HUGE chance, if Witherspoon survived that Smith would of been dead and he seemed to sense this and just went all out,,,

    I loved watching those huge wide sweeping punching of his, he could really generate a lot of force with those long arms of his :bbb

    and starting at 28 still kinda blows me away :yikes
     
    latineg, Apr 24, 2016
    latineg, Apr 24, 2016
    #5
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  6. Saintpat

    Saintpat Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    First heavyweight titlist with a college degree, IIRC.

    Yeah, I both like and respect the Crusher.
     
    Saintpat, Apr 24, 2016
    Saintpat, Apr 24, 2016
    #6
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  7. On The Money

    On The Money Dangerous Journeyman Full Member

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    All I really remember about him is the Bruno fight when he clipped Bruno late and had him robot dancing, a fight Bruno was going to win if I recall, and the Tyson fight when he just tied up Tyson in clinches for 12 rounds. The last round of that fight he landed a few shots on Mike but all too late.
     
    On The Money, Apr 24, 2016
    On The Money, Apr 24, 2016
    #7
  8. Pugilist_Spec

    Pugilist_Spec Hands Of Stone Full Member

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    His knockout of Witherspoon was pretty brutal. Big upset at the time.

    [YT]plFl_VqLVvc[/YT]
     
    Pugilist_Spec, Apr 25, 2016
    Pugilist_Spec, Apr 25, 2016
    #8
  9. Titan1

    Titan1 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Should've gotten James Broad in a rematch.
     
    Titan1, Apr 26, 2016
    Titan1, Apr 26, 2016
    #9
  10. FrankieinTexas

    FrankieinTexas the Bronx to Texas Full Member

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    Bonecrusher was my man back in the day. Love the guy. He and Pinklon Thomas were fun to watch. They'd be very competitive today against the current giant HW's.
     
    FrankieinTexas, Apr 27, 2016
    FrankieinTexas, Apr 27, 2016
    #10
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  11. Berlenbach

    Berlenbach Boxing Addict Full Member

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    An interesting guy, always thought he seemed too smart to be a boxer. Really overachieved given his late start in boxing, lack of seasoning and mostly did it with raw strength and power.
     
    Berlenbach, Apr 28, 2016
    Berlenbach, Apr 28, 2016
    #11
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  12. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    Apparently he had a college degree and owned an insurance company in North Carolina. Also worked as a prison guard for a while. Very interesting guy with a broad back ground.
     
    mr. magoo, Apr 28, 2016
    mr. magoo, Apr 28, 2016
    #12
  13. Charles White

    Charles White Chucker Full Member

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    I love Bonecrusher, he was a unique fighter for sure. Very classy and a real gentleman, which can be hard to find in boxing.
     
    Charles White, Apr 10, 2022
    Charles White, Apr 10, 2022
    #13
  14. catchwtboxing

    catchwtboxing Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    First college graduate to win heavyweight title. Classy, well-spoken guy who always made things fun.
     
    catchwtboxing, Apr 10, 2022
    catchwtboxing, Apr 10, 2022
    #14
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  15. Bigcheese

    Bigcheese Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Underrated resume with some very high end wins for a fringe contender. I took heat for saying this but I'm pretty sure if you gave him comeback Foremans opponents he would have done just as well as George did.
     
    Last edited: Apr 10, 2022
    Bigcheese, Apr 10, 2022
    Bigcheese, Apr 10, 2022
    #15
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