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

[Bill Paxtom]

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.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

He returned;

* November 6, 1971 ... KO 1 .... 'Fiji' Cannibal Nuapia - 3-0-0 {3 KO's}
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

[Bill Paxtom]

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.

[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.

[brocktonblockbust]

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.

[Bill Paxtom]

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.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"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}

[brocktonblockbust]

damn he beat the boy twice