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

[brocktonblockbust]

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."

GUYS LIKE sMITH were the unsung heroes of the 70s. The 2nd stringers, some would say. But those 70s "2nd stringers" would blow away the current crop of heavyweight morons @Max Power

[Bill Paxtom]

Howard 'Kayo' Smith

Much like a 1967/1968 version of Jimmy Ellis.

A fast-handed and quick-moving 'boxer/puncher'.

[p4pking]

Howard Smith - Boxer

And look who finally managed to topple the great Howard Smith again, in only the 2nd round. Whoever it was must have been A) THe hardest puncher of all time, and B) Someone who hasn't been the subject of enough threads around here recently.

Jesus christ

[Bill Paxtom]

Tuesday ~ March 12, 1974

Metropolitan Gym ~ Tokyo, Japan

'California State Heavyweight Championship'

Howard 'Kayo' Smith ~ 9-1-0 {5 KO's} ~ 206 lb. ~ 6' 2 1/2"
vs.
'Irish' Tony Doyle ~ 40-13-1 {20 KO's} ~ 210 lbs. ~ 6' 4"
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The California Athletic Commission 'approves' and sanctions this bout in
Tokyo, Japan for the State Heavyweight Championship.

The Japanese Promoters offer Howard Smith a {$3000 Fight Purse}, which
is the highest in his Professional career.

'Irish' Tony Doyle {Age; 29 years, 9 months} is from Salt Lake City, Utah
and will attempt to wrest the crown from Howard Smith {Age; 27 years, 2 months}.

This bout will be broadcast on Japanese Television.

Howard had been unable to secure a decent pay-day in California, and had to
to accept the bout, as he had been idle for 4-Months.

'Irish' Tony Doyle, a one-time Top 15 Contender and experienced veteran needs
a win to salvage his 'now' fading career.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

'The Bout'

Howard Smith take the initiative early, and scores with solid left-jabs mixed in
with quick 'left-right' combinations over the first 3-Rounds.

Tony Doyle makes it a fight in Round 4, and is able to land several long-range
left-jabs on Howard. Tony also lands a few good grazing right-hands, as he
takes advantage of his height and reach.

In Round 5, the action heats up at Center-Ring, and Howard Smith starts landing
heavy-blows to the body the have Doyle backing away.

Howard keeps the pressure on Doyle, and drives him into the Ropes where he
keeps pounding Tony's body.

In Round 6, Tony Doyle comes out looking worn. Howard goes back to the body,
and works over Tony as he backs him up into the Ropes and keeps him there.

At the {1:40 Mark}, Howard lands a solid 'left-right' to the body and then catches
Tony with a looping right-hand to the head. Tony slowly goes down to his right-knee
and takes a '7-Count'.

Tony rises and wants to continue. Howard moves in, and is all over Tony with a
barrage of punches. Howard sends in another hard-flurry, and Tony falls down on
his left-side, and is counted out at {2:12} of Round 6.

[Bill Paxtom]

Friday ~ August 16, 1974

Coliseum ~ San Diego, California

Howard Smith ~ 16-1-0 {10 KO's} ~ 203 lbs. ~ {Age; 27 years, 7 months}
vs.
Jack O'Halloran ~ 34-20-4 {17 KO's} ~ 240 lbs. ~ {Age; 31 years, 4 months}
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This bout is 'not' for the California State Heavyweight Championship.

Howard Smith is now managed by Harry Kabakoff.

Harry now lists Howard Smith's record at 16-1-0 with {10 KO's}, and not
10-1-0 with {6 KO's}.

Somewhere over the past 5-Months, '6' more wins and '4' additional
Knockouts have been 'padded' to Smith's record.

[Bill Paxtom]

Friday ~ August 16, 1974

The Coliseum ~ San Diego, California

~ Howard Smith Blasts Out 'Giant' Jack O'Halloran in Six ~

Howard Smith {203 lbs.} slammed 'The Giant' 6' 6" Jack O'Halloran {240 lbs.} around the Ring
for 5 Rounds, before putting him away in Round 6.

Smith took control from the Opening Bell, and used a variety of left-jabs and '3-Punch'
combinations to pummel the big slugger.

Smith took it to O'Halloran in Round 2, and banged the bigger fighter with several hard smashes
to the mouth, causing blood to flow.

Smith kept the pressure on O'Halloran in Rounds 3, 4 and 5 > and repeatedly backed him into
the Ropes where he tagged O'Halloran with hard-blows to both the head and body.

In Round 6, Smith staggered a 'battered' O'Halloran with a volley to the head, and then dropped
him with a hard right-hand to the body, and a follow up 'looping' overhand right to the jaw.

After O'Halloran rose, Smith drove the hurt fighter backwards and into the Ropes. Then Smith
unleashed another hard 'looping' overhand right to the head.

Jack fell flat on his back near the Ropes, and was counted out by Referee - Frank Rustich
at 2:20 of Round 6.

Howard Smith now claims a record of > 17-1-0 {11 KO's}.

Jack O'Halloran, who is now based out of Boston, Massachusetts stated that he would retire,
after taking such a bad beating.

[Bill Paxtom]

November 6, 1974

~ California Champion Can't Get Anyone To Fight Him ~

Howard Smith, the 27 year-old California State Heavyweight Champion is still waiting
for anyone decent to fight him.

The smooth boxer/puncher who is now managed by - Harry Kabakoff claims a record
of 18-1-0 {11 KO's}.

Howard is scheduled to fight at 'The Olympic' on November 14th, as Fight Promoter
Don Chargin has promised Howard a slot on the fight card.

Howard Smith >

My biggest fight purse was $3000, and I had to go to Tokyo, Japan to get it. Nobody
here in California wants to fight me.

I challenged #5 Ranked - Henry Clark, but he won't come near me.

I challenged that big Argentinian - Pedro Lovell who's been campaigning here in California,
but his Manager wants to protect his 'once-beaten' record {18-1-0 with 14 KO's}.

I am willing to take on Ken Norton. That would make for a good Television Bout for sure.
But, he knows that I would be a nightmare for him.

Or #3 Ranked - Ron Lyle.

I fought Ron Lyle 'twice' in the Amateurs in 1970 at the Denver Prison. I went their with
the U.S. Army Boxing Team. Ron won a decision over me in our 1st-Bout. But I
flattened him {KO 2} in our 2nd bout.

I have already quit boxing '5-Times', because I couldn't get any fights, or I injured my
right-hand by breaking a bone. This is a rough business to make money in.

[Bill Paxtom]

November 6, 1974

~ Seventh-Ranked Heavyweight Has Never Made More than $3000 ~

WBC Ratings

*** Muhammad Ali
#1 . George Foreman
#2 . Joe Frazier
#3 . Ron Lyle
#4 . Ken Norton
#5 . Henry Clark
#6 . Oscar Bonavena
#7 . Howard Smith
#8 . Joe Bugner
#9 . Chuck Wepner
#10 Pedro Osvaldo Lovell

[Bill Paxtom]

Thursday ~ November 14, 1974

Olympic Auditorium ~ Los Angeles, California

Promoter; Don Chargin

"Main Event"

Howard Smith ~ 17-1-0 {11 KO's} ~ 204 1/4 lbs.
vs.
Reinaldo 'Raul' Gorisito ~ 19-5-1 {9 KO's} ~ 205 lbs.

Howard takes on New York-based Argentinian - 24 year-old - Reinaldo 'Raul' Gorisito.

The Argentinian is a tough-and-clever 6' 3" counter-puncher, and brings along a 'rock-jawed' chin,
as Reinaldo has never been floored in his 3+ year career.

Reinaldo is a last-minute add-on to the Fight Card, as he only had a 4-day notice.

Reinaldo claims record of 19-5-1 {9 KO's}.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"The Bout"

No real problem here for Howard 'Kayo' Smith, as the fast-handed Californian scored with repeated
left-jabs on Reinaldo 'Raul' Gorisitio during Rounds 1 thru 4.

Howard lands several good right-hands to the body during the middle-Rounds, as he keeps Gorisito on
the defensive.

Though Howard is the aggressor and effective puncher, Gorisito is too clever to get caught with any
damaging blows, and he does land an occasional crisp counter-punch.

Reinaldo makes a 'short-charge' during Rounds 7 and 9, but he cannot mount a sustained attack,
or do any damage to Howard.

In Round 10, Howard goes back to whipping in left-jabs and occasional right-hand leads to win the
bout going away.

Scorecards
> 9-1 / 7-1 / 7-1

[Bill Paxtom]

March 1975

WBC Ratings

*** Muhammad Ali
#1 . George Foreman
#2 . Joe Frazier
#3 . Joe Bugner
#4 . Oscar Bonavena
#5 . Ken Norton
#6 . Howard Smith
#7 . Ron Lyle
#8 . Jerry Quarry
#9 . Henry Clark
#10 Jimmy Young

Howard Smith was again 'avoided'. There was a potential bout in Honolulu, Hawaii
for February, but it did not happen.

[Bill Paxtom]

Thursday ~ May 8, 1975

Olympic Auditorium ~ Los Angeles, California

'Claimed Records'

Howard Smith ~ 20-1-0 {15 KO's}
vs.
Larry Middleton ~ 23-4-1 {15 KO's}
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Howard Smith , the #6 WBC Heavyweight is to take on Baltimore's Larry Middleton.

The 32 1/2 year-old 6' 5" Baltimore Heavyweight is no easy mark, as he has a snappy
left-jab, to go along with a hard-sneaky right-cross. Larry is regarded as a dangerous
veteran, and with his long-lanky frame and extended reach, he can give trouble to any
Heavyweight trouble.

Larry was supposed to take on the big Argentinian - 'highy-touted' Pedro Osvaldo Lovell
here at the Anaheim Coliseum.

But Pedro 'pulled out' due to an ulcer.

Howard, who was available, decided to take this risky bout. Howard has been 'idle' again,
this time for 5 1/2 Months since his last bout {November 14, 1974}.

Larry Middleton has not been active himself. His last bout was nearly 1-year ago,
a 12-Round Decision loss to Oscar Bonavena on {May 21, 1974}.

Larry has gone 1-4-1 in his last 6-Bouts, and he is in a 'No-Lose' situation. Larry
has stated that he will 'Go For Broke' against Howard Smith.

The winner here, has been promised a bout with Ken Norton for July 1975.

[Bill Paxtom]

Thursday ~ May 8, 1975

Olympic Auditorium ~ Los Angles, California

Attendance ........ { 2202 }
Gate Receipts ..... $4300

~ 'Red Hot' Howard Smith Does His Thing, Kayoes Larry Middleton In 5 ~

~ Small Turn-Out For Smith KO ~

Howard 'Kayo' Smith {199 lbs.} overcame a badly bruised right-hand, and KO'd veteran
Larry Middleton @ 2:58 of Round 5.

Smith didn't find it at all difficult to get past Larry Middleton {207 lbs.} and his long reach
during the 1st-Round, as he dropped Middleton with a 'hammering' right-hand to
the jaw.

The 32 year-old Baltimore Heavyweight came in with an advantage of 3" height
and 4" over the 27 year-old California Heavyweight, but he found himself on the
canvas after taking the '1st' real good right-hand punch from Smith at the {2:03 Mark}
as Middleton's left leg went numb on him, causing him to tumble down on his left side.

Middleton was up at the '4-Count', and was shaking his left-leg to get some feeling
back in it.

But, Howard Smith injured his right-hand in the process, and only used his right-hand
sparingly from that point on.

Still, Smith was able to 'stagger' Middleton in Round 2 and again in Round 3
with fast right-hand leads to the jaw, but again failed to follow up.

After taking Round 4 off {to rest his hand}, Smith looked to set up Middleton for
one right-hand punch, as a 'Go-for-Broke' punch.

In Round 5, Smith was able to walk through Middleton's spearing-jabs, and put
heavy-pressure on the Baltimore Heavyweight's body, as he worked in left-hands
to the mid-section.

At the {1:30 Mark}, Smith landed a grazing right-hand to the jaw that sent Middleton
skidding along the right-side Ropes. Smith moved in and resumed with left-hooks
into Middleton's body to bring his hands down.

Middleton was able to survive the next-minute by moving and grabbing.

Then at the {2:44 Mark}, Smith unloaded with 'jolting' left-hook that caught the
Baltimore Heavyweight flush on the chin.

Then Howard Smith stepped forward, and came over the top with a 'vicious' right-hand
to the jaw that dropped Middleton 'like-a-rock'.

The Referee counted out Larry Middleton @ 2:58 of Round 5.

[Bill Paxtom]

May 9, 1975

Manager - Harry Kabakoff now posted that his fighter Howard 'Kayo' Smith
had a record of 21-1-0 {16 KO's}, which included '18' straight wins.

They had accepted a 'paltry' fight purse of {25% of the Gate Receipts} to fight
Larry Middleton on only 8-Days notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Harry Kabakoff >

We only took this bout, because we were promised a bout with Ken Norton if we won.

We only had 8-Days notice for this bout, as we weren't even scheduled for a May 1975 bout.

We asked for a $2000 Fight Purse Guarantee, but they offered us 25% of the Gate
Receipts instead.

Also, Howard hasn't had any good offers in the past 5-Months, so we had to take what
they offered.

Look at what we did to Larry Middleton. Nobody was looking to fight him.
Just look at who he beat;
* Roy Williams
* Joe Bugner
* Danny McAlinden
* Bob Stallings
* Jack O'Halloran

He lost a close Decision to Jerry Quarry. And he got a raw deal' when he drew
with Jimmy Ellis.

He took Oscar Bonavena 12-Rounds, and nearly dropped Oscar 'twice'. And he
fought Ron Lyle 'twice' and gave him a Hell of a fight in their 2nd-Bout.

The only other guy to stop Middleton besides my guy, was Ron Lyle.

Now, we want Ken Norton. Or, the big Argentinian - Pedro Lovell.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Howard 'Kayo' Smith >

I bruised my right-hand in the 1st-Round when I dropped him. I could hardly use it
after that. So I had to set him up for 'one' right-hand punch.

I will probably need a month off to let my hand heal before I get back to training.

After my Manager's Fee, I'll walk out of here with $711.60. I guess I won't be quitting
my regular job as a Fork Lift Operator anytime soon.

[Bill Paxtom]

May 9, 1975

Howard 'Kayo' Smith

A former Staff Sargeant in the United States Army.

"Some people tell me, you have to be a dog to be in this business. But that sort
of talk goes against my grain."

[Bill Paxtom]

February 1, 1976

Howard Smith: World's Forgotten Heavyweight

Howard 'Kayo' Smith is ranked as the WBC #4 Heavyweight, yet nobody knows who
this Los Angeles, California Heavyweight is.

Howard {Age; 29 years old} has an impressive record of 21-1-0 {16 KO's}, and with
'18' straight victories.

Manager - Harry Kabakoff has had an unbelievable amount of difficulty getting bouts
for his World-Ranked Heavyweight.

To help with the bills, Harry has sold portions of Howard's contract to Television Actor
- Mike Connors, and Trumpeteer/Band Leader of 'The Tonight Show' Doc Severinsen.

Howard will now receive a $500 Monthly paycheck to help off-set his bills, while he waits
for a 'big money' fight.

Howard's day job is as a Fork-Lift Operator for the Clorox Corporation in Compton.

Howard gets up at 4:30 AM everyday to do his 6-Mile Roadwork, before heading to
the Gym for a 1-Hour workout session.

Then it's a shower and an 'on-the-run' Breakfast before getting to work at 7:30 AM.