Thread: Howard 'Kayo' Smith ~ "Good Fighter - Bad Breaks"

Howard 'Kayo' Smith

A very good Heavyweight out of Los Angeles, California.

Was avoided by many, and 'Kayo' had a difficult time getting fights.



Howard, a solid 6' 2 1/2" and 205 lb. 'boxer/puncher had a very good Amateur career.

He turned Professional on May 8, 1971 {Age; 24 years, 3 months}

Howard was impressive in Professional Debut;

* May 8, 1971 ..... KO 3 ... George Gray - 1-0-0 {1 KO}

But, Howard injured his right-hand, and was laid up for 6-Months.
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He returned;

* November 6, 1971 ... KO 1 .... 'Fiji' Cannibal Nuapia - 3-0-0 {3 KO's}
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Next up was Bakersfield Heavyweight - 29 year-old - Don Koontz, a former prospect
who had a record of 13-4-0 {7 KO's}

* December 8, 1971 ..... KO 2 - Don Koontz

Thursday ~ January 13, 1972

Olympic Auditorium

Howard 3-0-0 {3 KO's} gets to take on another highly regarded
25 year-old Heavyweight like himself.

Henry 'Super Pepper' Culpepper ~ 8-1-0 {4 KO's}.

Henry, who was a top amateur California Heavyweight from 1967 thru 1970
is trained by legendary - Canto 'T-N-T' Robledo.

In a heated and spirited 6-Rounder, Henry Culpepper edges Howard
by a Majority Decision

Scorecards .... 3-2 / 2-2 / 3-2

The loss put Howard at 3-1-0 {3 KO's}, but even worse, is that Howard
damaged his 'right-hand' again, and was out-of-action for 8-Months.

Thursday ~ September 14, 1972

Olympic Auditorium

Howard {Age; 25 years, 8 months} returns to the Ring, after being idle for
8-Months to allow his right-hand to heal.

His opponent will be Mike Weaver, who will be making his Professional Debut.

Mike {Age; 21 years, 3 months} is deciding to turn Pro after a successful amateur
career in the Marines, which included winning several All-Marine Championships and
All-Service Regional Meets.

Note; Howard and Mike had met 'twice' before in All-Service Tournaments. Both
claimed one win, and one loss.

Howard 'Kayo' Smith ~ 3-1-0 {3 KO's} ~ 202 lbs.
vs.
'Hercules' Mike Weaver ~ 0-0-0 {0 KO's} ~ 193 lbs.
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"The Bout"

Both fighters come out boxing, by using left-jabs and slight movement, as each
look for an opening to counter.

The action is steady-paced for the first 2:00 of the Round. But 'All Hell Breaks Loose'
over the last minute, as both fighters slam in heavy right-hands and left-hooks to
the head.

Both fighters are 'staggered' over the last 15-Seconds of Round 1.

In Round 2, the action picks up where it left off, as each fighter takes turns
landing jarring blows. First, Howard has the edge, then Mike rallies.

But just before the Bell, Howard lands a solid 'left-right' to Mike's mid-section,
and Mike looks in pain.

In Round 3, Howard comes out winging, looking to finish a 'stomach woozy'
Weaver.

Howard slams away at Mike with both left-and-right hands for 2-Minutes straight.

Howard keeps punching away, as he keeps Mike pinned along the Ropes.

Suddenly at the {2:05 Mark}, Howard lands a straight right-hand to the jaw, and
a follow up 'left-right' to the mid-section..

Mike is hurt as he bends over. Howard steps in and lands a 'wicked' left-hook to
the head, and a short right-hand to the body, as Mike falls to the canvas.

Mike is counted out @ 2:21 of Round 3.

Originally Posted by Bill Paxtom

Thursday ~ September 14, 1972

Olympic Auditorium

Howard {Age; 25 years, 8 months} returns to the Ring, after being idle for
8-Months to allow his right-hand to heal.

His opponent will be Mike Weaver, who will be making his Professional Debut.

Mike {Age; 21 years, 3 months} is deciding to turn Pro after a successful amateur
career in the Marines, which included winning several All-Marine Championships and
All-Service Regional Meets.

Note; Howard and Mike had met 'twice' before in All-Service Tournaments. Both
claimed one win, and one loss.

Howard 'Kayo' Smith ~ 3-1-0 {3 KO's} ~ 202 lbs.
vs.
'Hercules' Mike Weaver ~ 0-0-0 {0 KO's} ~ 193 lbs.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"The Bout"

Both fighters come out boxing, by using left-jabs and slight movement, as each
look for an opening to counter.

The action is steady-paced for the first 2:00 of the Round. But 'All Hell Breaks Loose'
over the last minute, as both fighters slam in heavy right-hands and left-hooks to
the head.

Both fighters are 'staggered' over the last 15-Seconds of Round 1.

In Round 2, the action picks up where it left off, as each fighter takes turns
landing jarring blows. First, Howard has the edge, then Mike rallies.

But just before the Bell, Howard lands a solid 'left-right' to Mike's mid-section,
and Mike looks in pain.

In Round 3, Howard comes out winging, looking to finish a 'stomach woozy'
Weaver.

Howard slams away at Mike with both left-and-right hands for 2-Minutes straight.

Howard keeps punching away, as he keeps Mike pinned along the Ropes.

Suddenly at the {2:05 Mark}, Howard lands a straight right-hand to the jaw, and
a follow up 'left-right' to the mid-section..

Mike is hurt as he bends over. Howard steps in and lands a 'wicked' left-hook to
the head, and a short right-hand to the body, as Mike falls to the canvas.

Mike is counted out @ 2:21 of Round 3.

damn so this cat KOed Mike Weaver. Impressive.

Rematch

{7-Weeks later}

Tuesday ~ October 31, 1972

Civic Auditorium ~ Bakersfield, California

Howard Smith ~ 5-1-0 {4 KO's} ~ 203 lbs.
vs.
Mike Weaver ~ 0-1-0 {0 KO's} ~ 195 lbs.

This bout was scheduled for 5-Rounds.

Howard Smith was supposed to face another Heavyweight, but he pulled out.

Mike Weaver was willing to jump back in the Ring with Howard, and filled-in
on 4-Days notice.
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"The Bout"

This time, the fighters fought at a slower-pace, and opened up by mixing in
left-jabs and pawing counters.

Thru 3-Rounds, the bout was 'all square', as neither fighter was able to take
advantage.

In Round 4, the best action occurred, as Howard was able to 'shake' Mike with
several accurate right-hand leads to the chin over the first-half of the session.

But Mike did put up a fight, and rallied later in the Round when he landed his own
solid left-hooks to rattle Howard.

In Round 5, Howard was a little busier over Mike who started to tire. Over the
last minute, it was Howard who was the effective puncher, as Mike did little
while leaning on the Ropes.

Scorecards
* Referee - Eddie Fierro ....... 3-1 {Howard Smith}
* Judge .............................. 3-2 {Howard Smith}
* Judge .............................. 2-1 {Howard Smith}

damn he beat the boy twice

Originally Posted by brocktonblockbust

damn he beat the boy twice

And, Howard Smith flattened {KO 2} Mike Weaver in the Amateurs, in an
All-Service Military {1969} bout between the Army and the Marines.

Mike won '1-Bout' also, by a {Dec 3}.

Thursday ~ November 16, 1972

Olympic Auditorium ~ Los Angeles, California

Howard 'Kayo' Smith ~ 5-1-0 {4 KO's} ~ 203 lbs. ~ 6' 1/2"
vs.
Dan 'Ronnell' Johnson ~ 10-1-0 {10 KO's} ~ 202 lbs. ~ 6' 1"

This was a 10-Round 'Co-Main Event'

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Dan 'Ronnell' Johnson was labeled a 'sleeper'. Because he had no 'fan fare',
but he could whack hard.

23 year-old - Dan Johnson {Deland, Florida} was coming off a bout which was up
for 'Fight of the Year' in California.

5-Months earlier {June 15, 1972}, Dan took on 'highly-touted' and unbeaten Argentinian
- Pedro Lovell at the Olympic Auditorium.

In that bout, Dan floored Pedro 'twice' in the 1st-Round and nearly scored a 'shocking'
Knockout.

It was a wild bout that was telecast on KCOP-TV.

But Pedro came back, and 'broke' Dan's jaw in the 3rd-Round, and the bout was
quickly stopped by a TKO 3.
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"The Bout"

Howard fought a smart and tactical fight over the big-swinging Floridian.

Round-after-Round, Howard sent out snappy left-jabs into the face of Johnson, who
was attempting to get in close, to sling in his wide-hooks.

By Round 8, Johnson was arm-weary and near exhausted, as well as receiving a
boxing-lesson from Howard.

In Round 10 {Final Round} > Howard opened up on a 'weary' Johnson, and battered
him into the Ropes. There, Howard unleashed a barrage, and dropped Johnson with a
a '7-Punch' combination to the head.

Referee - Rudy Jordan counted out Dan Johnson at 1:13 of Round 10.

where do you get your store house of info? Amazing facts and details. Takes me back in time.

Originally Posted by brocktonblockbust

where do you get your store house of info? Amazing facts and details. Takes me back in time.

Thanks for the compliment 'Triple B'

My Database is loaded with 'tid-bits'.

Saturday ~ May 5, 1973

Phoenix Union's Montgomery Stadium ~ Phoenix, Arizona

Attendance....... { 1890 }

Main Event ....... Jimmy Ellis vs. Rico Brooks

-----------------------------------------------------------

Semi-Main Event

Howard 'Kayo' Smith - 6-1-0 {5 KO's} ~ 204 lbs.
vs.
Allen 'Evil' Evans ~ 13-6-0 {9 KO's} ~ 199 lbs.

Howard Smith has been 'idle' for 5 1/2 months. But in late-April 1973, he
gets a call to be a sparring-partner for former WBA Heavyweight Champion
- Jimmy Ellis who is training for an upcoming bout in Phoenix.

Howard takes the sparring-partner job, and also gets put on the Fight Card as
a 'Semi-Main Event' 8-Rounder.

Allen Evans, a 27 year-old Milwaukee Heavyweight who has several monikers >
of 'Evil', 'Big Al' and 'The Black Destroyer' is his opponent.

Evans was no easy fighter to handle. In his last bout {March 26, 1973}, he gave
World-Rated {#17} - 'Irish' Pat Duncan fits for 10-Rounds, only to lose a Split-Decision
in Duncan's backyard in Eugene, Oregon.
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"The Bout"

Rounds 1 and 2 were 'non-action' sessions, as both fighters pawed and
lightly jabbed.

But in Round 3, Howard came out jabbing faster, and scored fairly easy on
the now even 'less-active' Milwaukee Heavyweight.

By Round 4, Allen Evans realized that he didn't have the skills to box with
Howard, so he turned the bout into a 'comical show', and went to the Ropes
and let Howard hit him.

During the Round, every time that Howard landed a punch, Allen would turn
to the crowd and 'blow kisses' and 'wink' to the females at Ringside.

Then, starting in Round 5, each time that Allen got hit, he would yell to
Howard > "Come on big fellow".

This pattern stayed the course in Rounds 5 and 6.

By Round 7, Howard was pitching a near shut-out, as Allen Evans offered
up little other than a 'shove' or looping right-hand over Howard's left shoulder.

Round 8, was a more of the same.

Howard Smith was awarded the 'one-sided' Unanimous 8-Round Decision.

Scorecards ......... 80-73 / 80-74 / 80-74

May 23, 1973

Howard 'Kayo' Smith was now a 'Heavyweight Boxer on the Rise'.

Fight Promoter - Mickey Davies then signed up California State Heavyweight
Champion - 'Giant' Jack O'Halloran to defend his Title on June 8, 1973
in San Diego.

Howard Smith {Age; 26 years, 5 months} and with a record of 7-1-0 {5 KO's}
was excited about the opportunity.
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Howard Smith >

"I've finally got a chance to prove myself. This is my opportunity."

Friday ~ June 3, 1973

Coliseum ~ San Diego, California

Promoter .... Mickey Davies
Attendance... { 2630 }

'California State Heavyweight Championship'

Jack O'Halloran ~ 32-16-2 {16 KO's} ~ 6' 6" ~ 247 lbs. ~ {Age; 30 years, 2 months}
vs.
Howard Smith ~ 7-1-0- {5 KO's} ~ 6' 2 1/2" ~ 202 lbs. ~ {Age; 26 years, 5 months}
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Jack 'The Giant' O'Halloran is coming into this bout on a good streak,
where he has won 8-of-9 since July 1972.

The California State Heavyweight Champion is the #24 World-ranked
Heavyweight, and has been mentioned as a possible opponent for several
of the Top 10 Heavyweights.

"The Bout"

Howard Smith, giving up 4" in height and 45 lbs. in weight, stays on the
outside during the early Rounds, and O'Halloran presses during the first
4-Rounds.

But Howard changes the flow, and carries the fight to 'The Giant' in Rounds
5, 6 and 7, and out-speeds him with lefts-and-rights to the mid-section.

The action slows in Round 8, as both fighters maul-and-grab.

Howard who has slight-lead after 8-Rounds, tries to step up the pace in
Round 9 over the slow-footed O'Halloran.

But, Howard gets caught by a big right-hand, and suffers a bad {1" cut} on
the right eye-brow.

Jack sensing an opportunity, slams away at Howard, causing the cut to ooze
blood.

Jack keeps up the pressure on Howard in Round 10, and has his best Round
as he scores with clubbing right-hands, but he tires himself out in the process.

But Howard re-groups in Round 11, and presses the fight over the last 2-Rounds
by snapping off several 'left-right combinations to edge out a 12-Round Split-Decision.

Scorecards
* Referee - Frank Rustich ..... 6-5 {Howard Smith}
* Judge - Hal Rickards ......... 5-4 {Jack O'Halloran}
* Judge - Fred Hayes ........... 6-4 {Howard Smith}

Friday ~ November 9, 1973

Coliseum ~ San Diego, California

Howard 'Kayo' Smith ~ 8-1-0 {5 KO's} ~ 200 lbs.
vs.
Steve 'Iceman' Carter ~ 21-6-0 {10 KO's} ~ 203 lbs.

Howard Smith {missing in action for 5-Months} fills in as a 1-Week
replacement for #4 World-Ranked Jerry Quarry.

Note; Jerry Quarry had signed to face Steve 'Iceman' Carter for this bout
on September 23, 1973. But Jerry pulled out claiming an 'alleged' cut on
the jaw that he suffered in Training Camp 1-week before this bout.

Howard {Age; 26 years, 10 months} will engage in a 10-Rounder, but his
California State Heavyweight Championship will 'not' be on the line.

Steve Carter {Age; 24 years, 6 months} has said that he had been looking
to fight Howard Smith for the past year, and that he would accept Howard
as a replacement opponent.

'The Iceman' who is from Oakland and is Managed by Alan Moore, predicts
a victory by stating .... "I'll outbox the boxer."
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"The Bout"

Easy pickings here for Howard Smith, as he piled up the points by scoring with
light but continuous 'lefts-and-rights' on the surprisingly 'sluggish' Steve Carter.

Howard won '8' of the Rounds handily, other than Rounds 4 and 7, which were
fought competitively.

January 1974

"Nobody Wants to Fight Howard Smith'

Howard 'Kayo' Smith, is the California Heavyweight Champion.
But nobody knows him, and nobody wants to fight him either.

The now 27 year-old is waiting for an opportunity to fight anybody
in the Top 15, but he continues to wait.

Though Howard sits with an 'undistinguished' record of 9-1-0 {5 KO's},
he is a very capable > 6' 2 1/2" @ 205 lb. boxer-puncher.

Howard Smith >

"I have sparred with Earnie Shavers, Ken Norton, Jerry Quarry and Jimmy Ellis.
Those fellows know what I can do in the Ring. That's why they won't fight me
in a real bout."