Earnie Shavers vs. Howard Smith ~ 'Championship Qualifier' - Winner Gets Muhammad Ali

[Bill Paxtom]

This bout was broadcast on CBS-TV Sports Spectacular

Howard 'KO' Smith

Was a very good boxer, who had excellent hand-speed and nifty footwork.

Howard had height at a 'shade' under {6' 3"}, and a long reach at {77"}
which complimented his accuurate left-jab.

And he was solidly built at 203 lbs., but with a 'lean' Cheetah-like frame.

His power-punch was a quick right-cross, that he liked to unload during
the Middle-Rounds of a bout, as he lured his opponent in close.

Howard was the California State Heavyweight Champion, which he won on
March 13, 1974 - but later relinquished the Belt in 1975.

Howard had some quality wins;

* June 8, 1973 ......... W Dec 10 ............. Jack O'Halloran
* November 9, 1973 . W Dec 10 ............. Steve 'Iceman' Carter
* March 13, 1974 ..... KO 6 ..................... 'Irish' Tony Doyle
* August 14, 1974 ... KO 6 ...................... Jack O'Halloran
* May 8, 1975 ......... KO 5 ...................... Larry Middleton
* June 15, 1976 ...... W Split-Decision ...... Johnny Boudreaux
* January 15, 1977 .. W Unan. Dec 10 ..... Henry Clark

But, Howard had 'continous' problems with his right-hand, which he broke
'8' separate times during his career, which kept him idle for spells of;

* {6 Months}
* {8 months}
* {6 months}
* {5 months}
* {5 months}
* {6 months}
* {11 months}
* {7 months}

The continuing 'problems' with the right-hand, kept Howard Smith out of many
'decent' money bouts.

In Howard's 6-Year career {starting on May 8, 1971}, the 'California KO Kid' only
had '19-Bouts'.

__________________________________________________ _______________

Howard only had 1-Bout in 10-Months, and that was a recent 10-Round Decision
over Henry Clark on January 15, 1977.

Before that win, he was 'idle' for 7-Months.