In Episode 17 of “In The Front Row with Mike Vaccaro” we go a few rounds with former heavyweight boxing champ James “Bonecrusher” Smith. Smith grew up in rural North Carolina where he learned the lesson of working hard and being tough. He was the first family member to earn a college degree and would be the only heavyweight champ with a college degree. It was in the Army that Smith started boxing. Following a successful amateur career, he turned pro at the age of 28. Despite losing his first fight, Smith made a name for himself with a big fight in England against undefeated British boxer Frank Bruno. After losses to Larry Holmes and Tim Witherspoon, Smith would get a second chance versus Witherspoon and took advantage of that opportunity to become WBC heavyweight champ. From there Smith went 12 rounds with Mike Tyson and fought 61 times in all including his final bout against Larry Holmes in 1999 back in his home state. Smith shares stories of his fights, the influence Muhammad Ali had on him, who he thinks is the greatest heavyweight of all time, plus his post-fighting career that includes the creation of the Legends of Boxing Hall of Fame in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. We also learn how he got the nickname “Bonecrusher”.
