Was Bonecrusher Smith the most hated opponent of Tyson

[BKM-2010]

Not sure but BKM? as a betting man? If you put BoneCrusher on the rails tomorrow with a fitty, and Mayweather retired tomorrow? I know who I would bet had more money in ten years time....

Hehe. I looked him up and I see this:
https://www.facebook.com/jamesbonecrushersmith2/info
"James "Bonecrusher" Smith was the first college graduate to win the (WBA) World Boxing Heavyweight Title, and the first boxer to take Tyson 12 rounds. He is the founder & CEO of Champion For Kids, Inc., a mentor, and author of "M.A.D.-Make A Decision". "

Indeed he seems to be doing well and seems to be a credit to society. Good for him.

[J-champ]

Smith was a likable person if you look past the Tyson fight.

[MrRolltide91]

There might be some Class consciousness at work that created some bad blood between these two men:

Smith was a college graduate who was articulate, well spoken, stable....as a matter of fact, keeping in mind that this was before the Klitschkos, Smith may have been one of a few college educated fighters at the time.

Tyson, as a very intelligent, predatory (at the time at least) Black man may have percieved Bone crusher as "Uppidy" or some other such feeling reflecting a distrust and hate at a man who conventionally had displayed intellect as opposed to the street smarts Tyson saw in himself and the "proper" way to display such qualities.

There is irony here....Mike was and has always been a scholar of the game. And while Mike crafted his experience on the careful analysis of great fighters in the past....the well educated Bone Crusher...much like the well educated Juan Baby Bull....fought like a dope. I mean Smith was obstinate enough and strong enough and big enough but was hardly the intellgent fighter that Tyson was. Watching Diaz or Bone crusher sort of auto pilot through a fight makes one realize that ability and learnedness can be displayed, or not displayed (as the case may be) in many ways. I just know that if I had to compete on a game show involving fighter history and knowledge, I would definitely want Tyson on my team.

Anyhew....Class consciousness like rascism can be kind of silly.

good post...

[Dynamite76]

Bonecrusher was lucky he didn't have to fight Mitch Green in December of 1986 like scheduled, or he would've lost.

[billeau2]

Bonecrusher was lucky he didn't have to fight Mitch Green in December of 1986 like scheduled, or he would've lost.

Especially if a haberdashery were nearby!

Overheard that night after the Tyson Fiasco: "Mr Green would you like a round steak to go with that Fedora for your eye?"

[Dynamite76]

Especially if a haberdashery were nearby!

Overheard that night after the Tyson Fiasco: "Mr Green would you like a round steak to go with that Fedora for your eye?"

Wow, LOL!!!

[creekrat77]

I believe Mitch Green holds that distinction.

this^^^^^^^

[fightmuseumlv]

Mitch "Blood" Green- that was a street rivalry.

[Cloud]

James Smith is one of my favourite heavyweight's to watch if I'm honest. I love that he lasted twelve with Tyson.

[Dynamite76]

Mitch "Blood" Green- that was a street rivalry.

And Mike was lucky Mitch was an older drugged-up version, a younger Green might have been a nightmare for him.