In the realm of heavyweight boxing, few moments reverberate as loudly as unexpected upsets. While some defeats are so monumental that they become etched in the annals of sports history, others fade into obscurity, remembered only by a few aficionados. Among these lesser-known but equally significant events is the surprising victory of James “Bonecrusher” Smith over Tim Witherspoon on this day in 1986. Although it may not compete with the likes of Buster Douglas’s legendary knockout of Mike Tyson or Muhammad Ali’s defiance against Sonny Liston, Smith’s performance remains a baffling and noteworthy chapter in heavyweight history.
The lead-up to this bout was filled with unpredictability. Smith entered the ring as a late replacement for Tony Tubbs, who had initially been scheduled to fight. The original replacement, Tyrell Biggs, had opted out, leaving an opportunity for Smith—who had previously faced Witherspoon just over a year prior in a bout that did not favor him. The 1985 confrontation saw “Terrible Tim” comfortably outpoint Smith, leading many to assume that a rematch would yield a similar outcome. This judgment, however, underestimated the evolution of Smith’s boxing acumen and physical conditioning.
In preparation for their rematch, Smith was trained by the legendary Emile Griffith, who urged him to come out strong and assertive. This advice would prove pivotal. Witherspoon, who had previously displayed superior skill and athleticism, stepped into the ring less than optimally conditioned, creating a recipe for disaster.
What transpired during the fight itself defied expectations. Smith exploded out of the gate, delivering a flurry of punches that sent Witherspoon crashing to the mat. In a shocking series of knockdowns, Smith showcased not only his remarkable punching power but an unexpected strategic savviness that had been absent in their earlier encounter. Witherspoon, in stark contrast to his superior prior performance, couldn’t find his footing and stumbled repeatedly under Smith’s relentless assault.
By the end of the first round, the fight had concluded abruptly, with Smith securing victory and subsequently becoming the WBA heavyweight champion. This triumph was historic on a personal level as well; at 33 years of age, he became the first college graduate to earn a world heavyweight title. The fight left fans scratching their heads, contemplating the drastic difference in both fighters’ performances.
The immediate aftermath of the bout provided a fascinating narrative. While Witherspoon’s shock defeat left him reeling, it simultaneously freed him from the onerous contract tied to notorious promoter Don King. Although Witherspoon had been a marquee fighter within King’s stable, his legal battles against unfair contract stipulations had been well-publicized—a struggle that departed from his aspirations as a competitor in the ring.
For Smith, the forthcoming battle against Mike Tyson was a moment of both anticipation and dread. Pitted against one of the most fearsome punchers in boxing history, Smith entered the fight against Tyson in March 1987 overly intimidated. The resultant bout, a far cry from the explosive nature of his fight with Witherspoon, culminated in a lackluster display, with Smith resorting to clinching tactics in a futile attempt to survive.
Throughout boxing history, moments of triumph and despair often hinge not solely on skill but also on timing and preparation. The 1986 upset by Smith highlights how a less than stellar physical condition can unravel a fighter’s destiny, as seen in Witherspoon’s case. Despite being heralded as the more naturally gifted fighter, he did not maximize his potential when it counted most.
As for Bonecrusher Smith, the bout raises questions about the trajectory of his career. Once having tasted victory at the peak, the pondering begins: How different would his legacy be had he approached his title defense against Tyson with the same vigor and audacity that characterized his fight with Witherspoon?
The fight between James Smith and Tim Witherspoon remains a striking reminder of the unpredictability that defines heavyweight boxing. While some upsets are celebrated and glorified, others pass with little fanfare. Smith’s triumph may not have altered the course of boxing history profoundly, but it certainly contributed to the tapestry of narrative fabric that encapsulates the sport. In the annals of boxing, this fight serves as a beacon of what can happen when conditioning, strategy, and timing converge in electrifying, unexpected ways.