In yesterday's news paper (Sun, by pat sheenan) it states Tim has sensationally admitted being a drugged up cheat and throwing the Bonecrusher fight, blowing a fight with Mike Tyson, in his new book. Tim Says he took Cocaine four days before the fight and believed Don was ripping him off. "his eyes were only for Mike Tyson". "I was told to fight Smith a second time or I would get hurt." "I made sure the three knockdown rule was in place, and took full advantage and admit to throwing the fight" "I just needed to get away from Don and make a fresh start" "my mental health was at risk if I did not get away from Don King" "commentators were calling it a massive loss for me.but in truth, I was now free because I knew Don would tear up my contract" "I sometimes wonder what would have happened if I had fought Mike. I know I had the power to stop him but I would have needed to be in the best condition of my life" Anyone see this? Thoughts?
I think it's nonsense; life imitating the rumor mill. During that time period Don King had a stronghold on the Heavyweight division and if you wanted to fight Mike Tyson it required that you give Don options on your next 2-3 fights. So losing that fight to get out of a contract meant nothing if you're hoping to get a Tyson fight because it meant dealing with Don King. I think he's rewriting his own history to drive book sales.
I've always believed Witherspoon entered the Smith fight entirely unprepared and without ambition ,he was also regularly using cannabis at that time, he was basically disenchanted with the fight game. Whether he intended to lay down before hand or not is a moot point ,Im inclined to think he took a shot and just thought **** it! Prime Witherspoon would have given Tyson a good fight, but he was slow ,and not in shape by the time Tyson was the man. Jack Newfield's," The Life & Crimes Of Don King" says it all!
Yes,I read that article too. Would n't surprise me at all. Like most people,I thought that fight had an odour about it. When you look at the way that Tim soaked up Frank Bruno's best shots in his previous fight,his capitulation looked unreal and Frank could belt as hard as Smith could. The ease in which Witherspoon beat the Bonecrusher in their first fight just one year beforehand gives Tim's revelations even more credibilty
Yes, from what I remember Tim trained for Tubbs. It was on it was off, then Smith came in as a replacement. I don't think Tim thought it was going to go ahead. Certainly lacked focus. He did not look ready to fight, even if he was lighter and had been in camp. There was certainly nothing wrong with the way Smith was hitting him. I think iron champ is onto something too and like Stevie G says the first Smith fight does give more impression of what a motivated Witherspoon was capable of. That was a beat down!
If memory serves me well,Tim was ordered to give Tubbs a rematch of their January '86 fight because traces of pot were found in a urine test. I always found that odd when you consider that,for boxing,it was hardly a performance enhancing drug.
I have suspected Witherpsoon vs Smith was not on the level for years. The night of the fight Witherpsoon's house was robbed.
Agreed, he lost to Smith because , Bonecrusher was the better fighter that night period, and Tyson would have beat him to a pulp.. I take what Witherspooon says with a grain of salt, it was his own fault for signing with King in the first place...
It is plausible that he threw that fight. Bear in mind that he wasnt stopped again for another 13 years! All I am saying is, it never hurts to keep an open mind.
The Brian Neilson fight was very strange. To be honest, When I read the headline I thought that was the fight it was going to be about...
I think he's trying to sell books .. Tim thrashed Bonecrusher in their first bout .. beating him terribly .. Bonecrusher knew he had one shot in a rematch and that was to catch Tim early and fast .. Tim was not very focused those days and not terribly well conditioned .. a very talented guy but a notorious under achiever .. Tim got hit hard with the first punch Bonecrusher threw and seemed never to recover his balance .. he did not seem that hurt but Tim hd a terrific chin ... it could have been a dive or a half dive .. that being said he was hit ..
Tim's head was not right for fighting that night. No focus. Smith took his chance, jumped on him and he did not miss. The kitchen sink, everything, was thrown at Witherspoon who had no time to recover. I think Tim was disillusioned with boxing and just not ready to fight on that night. I think the Bruno fight gave him something to be proud of but there were money disputes and when Tubbs pulled out I don't think Tim had any intention of fighting, but as made to. On the night Tim looked like he didn't want to be there. He knew Smith of course, had nothing to fear but I'm not sure Tim thought he would be fighting that morning. Credit to Smith he was man enough for the job. He was sharp and any fighter would need to be switched on to fight him when he was throwing like that.