Second Title Reign
In 1985 Witherspoon regained his NABF belt by impressively destroying James Broad in two rounds, and retaining it with a twelve round decision over James "Bonecrusher" Smith, earning a match against reigning WBA (World Boxing Association) champion Tony Tubbs on January 17, 1986. In a fairly enjoyable bout, Witherspoon would win a majority decision over 15 rounds (144–143, 143–143, 144–141) over an overweight Tubbs to take the title.
Witherspoon's second reign as a Heavyweight champion saw him travel to London, England and defend his title against hard hitting local Frank Bruno in front of 60,000 fans. After a tough, bruising fight, Witherspoon came from behind to stop Bruno in the 11th, retaining his title. After the fight, Bruno would receive a million sterling from his promoters. Witherspoon, due the same amount, devastatingly received less than $100,000 after Don King's creative accounting and deductions.
Witherspoon was supposed to fight a rematch against Tubbs next, but due to Tubbs pulling out of the fight he ended up facing Bonecrusher Smith in a rematch of their 1985 fight. Witherspoon came into the fight as a favorite but Smith came out aggressively against the champion. Witherspoon was felled three times in the span of 2:16 and the fight was stopped with Smith winning by TKO in what was considered by some (including HBO's Larry Merchant at ringside) as a monumental upset.
Read more about this topic: Tim Witherspoon
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