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

[Bill Paxtom]

60,000 is beans

Howard Smith

"You've got to be a masochist to be in boxing. It's a never ending death."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Saturday ~ January 15, 1977

The Aladdin ~ Las Vegas, Nevada

CBS Television

Howard 'Kayo' Smith ~ 23-1-0 {17 KO's}
vs.
Howard 'Gunslinger' Clark ~ 33-10-4 {10 KO's}

~ Howard Smith and 'veteran' Henry Clark To Get It On At The Aladdin ~

San Francisco 'veteran' Heavyweight -Henry Clark {Age; 31 years, 10 Months} will test
'little-known' but talented Los Angeles Heavyweight - Howard Smith.

Clark a 13-Year veteran who has been competing as a Professional since May 1964, has
only been stopped '3-times' in 47-Bouts. But, Henry has 'never' been floored.

Clark, who is a 'multiple' California State Heavyweight Champion, is also the chief
sparring-partner for former World Champion - George Foreman.

Only 10-months ago, Henry was ranked as the #5 Heavyweight {March 1976}, and was one
win away from challenging Muhammad Ali for the World Title.

But an 'uspet loss' {L Dec 10} to Earnie Shavers in Paris, France on March 28, 1976 ended
Henrys' {3+ year} unbeaten streak at '9'.

After that loss, Henry took 6-Months off, and contemplated retiring after 12-Years in the Ring.

Henry decided to come back, and stepped into the Ring again with Earnie Shavers on
September 28, 1976 on the undercard of the Muhammad Ali - Ken Norton bout at Yankee Stadium.

In that bout, Henry got caught 'napping' in Round 2, and Earnie bombarded him with punches
while he was trapped in the Corner. The Referee stopped the bout with Henry 'dazed', but
still on his feet.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Henry 'Gunslinger' Clark >

"I am ready for this bout. I have nothing to lose, and will come out bombing instead of boxing,
which is my normal style. I can punch hard if I want to."

'I am much bigger than Howard {236 lbs. to 205 lbs.}, so I will put pressure on him early and make
him use up his strength. I'll just wear him down, and deliver hard-punches."

"He's good, but he's unsure of himself and lacks confidence. That is where I have the advantage.
He knows that he can't hurt me, and he knows that I know it."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------