I’ve heard him say this a few times over the past few decades. I’ve also heard people for years and even to this day argue hammer and tong that he didn’t. But here it is on film. Enjoy ! This content is protected
He admitted it but I don't think it's entirely true. He had a tooth knocked out...not exactly how you "throw" a fight. I think rather he came in completely untrained and unmotivated because of how he was getting screwed, and got blitzed by an opponent that he didn't respect, but who could punch! It's a good way to save face by saying he "threw" it. The truth is often in between.
I believe Tim, when you're supposed to make I believe $500,000 for his previous fight beating frank Bruno and you end up getting $90,000 and change, less than 20 percent of what you were supposed to be paid that can cause a great loss in motivation.
Except winning the fight gives you or helps you keep a belt that Mike Tyson needs and therefore you’re going to get a much bigger payday if you win. It makes no economic sense to throw away a potential additional title and payday and bigger money fight. I think he just got caught by a big man who could punch. If you notice, Smith came out with guns blazing, with a do or die attitude. Tim covered and tried to counterpunch. I actually think Witherspoon scored a knockdown that wasn’t counted. So to me, it looks like he’s trying to nail an aggressor.
when you let a 6’5” 230 lb puncher go balls out on you, naturally you’re going to get hurt. He didn’t INTEND to have his tooth knocked out. But he DID intend to lose.
Jack Johnson also said he threw the fight with Jess Willard. Like this story the film evidence says otherwise.