Contenders Boxing

08/12/2025

Charlotte's own Quinton Rankin!!!!
You did us proud Champ

Saturday 2, August 2025University of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois, USAcommission Illinois State Athletic Commission promoter Oscar De La Hoyamatchmaker Eric G...

09/27/2024

James "Bonecrusher" Smith: The Heavyweight Who Defied the Odds.

Born on April 3, 1955, in Magnolia, North Carolina, James "Bonecrusher" Smith's journey to boxing greatness is a tale of perseverance and triumph. Unlike many boxing champions who start their careers at a young age, Smith’s path was unconventional. At 23, while serving as a sergeant in the U.S. Army, Smith first laced up a pair of gloves, embarking on a remarkable journey that would lead him to the pinnacle of the heavyweight division.

Late Start, Early Success
Smith's late entry into the sport didn't stop him from making a name for himself. His combination of power, determination, and intelligence helped him rise through the ranks quickly. A graduate with a Master’s degree in Business Administration, Smith’s success in the ring was as surprising as it was inspiring.

The Dramatic Rise to Heavyweight Champion
On December 12, 1986, Smith seized the opportunity of a lifetime. Originally, Tony Tubbs was scheduled to face Timothy "Terrible" Witherspoon for the WBA Heavyweight title, but Tubbs was injured during training, forcing him to pull out. Smith stepped in as a late-minute substitute. What followed was one of the most dramatic upsets in boxing history.

In scintillating fashion, Smith demolished Witherspoon in the first round, stunning the boxing world. With that emphatic victory, Smith became the new WBA Heavyweight Champion, securing his place in the history books. What made this achievement even more extraordinary was that Smith became the first American-born fighter with a Master’s degree to win a world boxing title.

Facing Iron Mike Tyson
Smith’s reign as WBA champion set the stage for one of the biggest fights of his career: a heavyweight unification bout against the undefeated and ferocious WBC Champion, Mike Tyson. On March 7, 1987, Smith stepped into the ring with the prime version of "Iron" Mike Tyson. While Smith ultimately lost a lopsided decision to Tyson, he earned a unique distinction — he became the first fighter to last the full 12 rounds against Tyson in a championship fight. Though he lost the decision and his WBA title, Smith’s resilience and ability to survive Tyson's onslaught solidified his reputation as a tough and courageous competitor.

Legacy
James "Bonecrusher" Smith's career is a testament to the power of perseverance. His ability to achieve such significant success despite starting later in life, and his intelligence both in and out of the ring, sets him apart in the world of boxing. From his dramatic knockout of Witherspoon to his unforgettable clash with Tyson, Smith’s legacy remains one of grit, determination, and unshakable resolve.

Smith will forever be remembered as the man who, against all odds, became a heavyweight champion and held his own against one of the most feared fighters in history. His career not only highlights his boxing prowess but also serves as an inspiration for anyone who dares to dream, regardless of the obstacles in their path.

What are your thoughts about his boxing career?

Thank you Monkey Video

04/01/2024

BOXING NEWS***
JOE MAYER TO COME OUT OF RETIREMENT
Former People's Champion of the World Joe Mayer has announced his intention to come out of retirement for another round of boxing.
Called the “Brett Favre of boxing” by TMZ, Mayer has announced once again that he is “unretiring” from boxing at the age of 57. These new reports may cause some concern among his fans who question whether or not he is too old for the ring and should follow through with his announced decision to retire weeks ago. Of his recently announced retirement, Mayer says that he was just confused, and that he still has a few rounds left in him.
Announcing his intentions as he was leaving Jack's in Cornelius, NC this weekend, Mayer reassured boxing fans that he isn’t coming out of retirement to be a punching bag for younger talent, or to simply take on easy opponents. He’s eye-balling top honors, desiring to be crowned Light-Heavyweight Champion of the World. He is currently eying a fight with Jake Paul in July for a tune up before he gets in the ring with Artur Beterbiev.
Mayer says that he’s “still a serious contender for the title,” reports the Lake Norman Citizen.
Naturally, reporters asked Mayer how much fight he thinks he has left in him. “I don’t know. One day at a time.” he replied.
If Mayer does manage to nab a Light-Heavyweight Champion title, he’d be the oldest boxer on record to ever do so. The current record is held by Bernard Hopkins, who claimed the Light-Heavyweight title at the age of 46. Still, Mayer has had an impressive career.
Do you think that Joe Mayer has a shot at the Light-Heavyweight Champion of the World title or should he stay in retirement?

01/07/2023

“Ali said he really liked the way Elvis dressed,” explained Presley’s friend, George Klein. “He said they were both originals. So Elvis contacted his designer and ordered a robe made for Ali and presented it to him. It said ‘The People’s Choice.’ It was supposed to say ‘The People’s Champ.’ But Ali wore it anyway. Howard Cosell asked Ali, ‘Where did you get that beautiful robe? Ali told him, ‘Elvis gave it to me.’”
Presley and Ali remained friends until Elvis’ death in 1977. Ali recalled that when they met in Las Vegas in 1973, Elvis was closing his February concert run there and had invited Ali to drive back to Los Angeles with him in his gold-plated Cadillac station wagon. Ali wanted to, but had plans to return to Louisville instead. Years later, he regretted that decision.
“Maaan, that would have been historic,” Ali said. “I always wanted Elvis to drive me down Beale Street in a convertible, so his hometown could see that Muhammad Ali and Elvis Presley were good friends. Then I’d bring him to Louisville and do the same thing.”

09/22/2022

'I'm sorry Joe Frazier is mad at me. I'm sorry I hurt him. Joe Frazier is a good man, and I couldn't have done what I did without him, and he couldn't have done what he did without me. And if God ever calls me to a holy war, I want Joe Frazier fighting beside me.' - Muhammad Ali

'The Butterfly and me have been through some ups and downs and there have been lots of emotions, many of them bad. But I have forgiven him. I had to. You cannot hold out for ever. There were bruises in my heart because of the words he used. I spent years dreaming about him and wanting to hurt him. But you have got to throw that stick out of the window. Do not forget that we needed each other, to produce some of the greatest fights of all time.' - Joe Frazier

09/02/2022

RIP Earnie Shavers

04/01/2022

BOXING NEWS***

JOE MAYER TO COME OUT OF RETIREMENT

Former People's Champion of the World Joe Mayer has announced his intention to come out of retirement for another round of boxing.

Called the “Brett Favre of boxing” by TMZ, Mayer has announced once again that he is “unretiring” from boxing at the age of 55. These new reports may cause some concern among his fans who question whether or not he is too old for the ring and should follow through with his announced decision to retire weeks ago. Of his recently announced retirement, Mayer says that he was just confused, and that he still has a few rounds left in him.

Announcing his intentions as he was leaving Jack's in Cornelius, NC this weekend, Mayer reassured boxing fans that he isn’t coming out of retirement to be a punching bag for younger talent, or to simply take on easy opponents. He’s eye-balling top honors, desiring to be crowned Light-Heavyweight Champion of the World. He is currently eying a fight with the winner of Canelo vs Bivol in July for the title.

Mayer says that he’s “still a serious contender for the title,” reports the Lake Norman Citizen.

Naturally, reporters asked Mayer how much fight he thinks he has left in him. “I don’t know. One day at a time.” he replied.

If Mayer does manage to nab a Light-Heavyweight Champion title, he’d be the oldest boxer on record to ever do so. The current record is held by Bernard Hopkins, who claimed the Light-Heavyweight title at the age of 46. Still, Mayer has had an impressive career.

Do you think that Joe Mayer has a shot at the Light-Heavyweight Champion of the World title or should he stay in retirement?

08/17/2019

06/08/2019