Mike Tyson vs James "Bonecrusher" Smith - Full Fight - 3-7-1987
Bout Summary:
Instead of bombing away, Smith held to the point of drawing two one-point penalties from referee Mills Lane in the heavyweight title unification bout. . . . Tyson became so frustrated with his opponent's tactics that he engaged in several shoving matches with Smith between rounds. The intensity Tyson displayed during those skirmishes, however, was rarely seen during the actual fight. . . . With everyone from Muhammad Ali to Vanna White looking on and temperatures dipping into the lower 50s, Tyson came out at the opening bell with two lefts that missed. Smith's first punch, also a left, also missed. The whiffs were omens of what was to come. The best action in the first round came midway through the round on a three-punch combination by Tyson. However, with Smith tying Tyson up instead of punching, the expected first-round fireworks never arrived. There were some sparks, though, at the closing bell as Smith starred at Tyson, drawing a Tyson left well after the bell. Tyson's opened a cut above Smith's left eye at the start of Round 2 with a head butt. The trouble continued for Smith one minute later when Lane penalized Smith one point for continual holding. The lack of action drew boos at the close of the round. And once again the two taunted each after the bell had sounded. Again in Round 3 there was more holding from Smith and more frustration from Tyson, who was unable to land a combination. And yes, more taunting after the bell. Smith began retreating in Round 4, with a Tyson right to the head the only punch of consequence. After the search for pillows began during Rounds 5 and 6, the crowd finally had a chance to cheer in Round 7 when Tyson went down. On a slip. In Round 8, Lane took away a second point from Smith for holding. . . . Tyson continued to look for the big shot -- something Smith wasn't willing to offer. . . . The booing continued. As did the boredom. Smith landed one solid blow, in the final round, but he had little left to follow up with. The misery ended with the bell after Round 12. It could have been worse. It could have been scheduled for 15.
Match Date: March 7, 1987
Mike Tyson's Amateur and Pro Record: http://www.sportenote.com/vedi_dettagli.asp?id=29408
