James Smith has 17 losses against 16 opponents on his boxing record. For a list of Smith's best fights, refer to "Best fights of James Smith".
On June 18, 1999 James Smith faced off against Larry Holmes at age 46. He was coming in with a record of 44-17-1 (32), and Holmes was 49 years old and with a record of 66-6 (42). Smith lost the fight via 8th-round TKO.
On July 4, 1998 James Smith faced off against Joe Bugner in a heavyweight bout at age 45. He was coming in with a record of 43-16-1 (31), and Bugner was 48 years old and with a record of 67-13-1 (40). Smith lost the fight via 1st-round retirement.
On October 7, 1994 James Smith faced off against Brian Nielsen at age 41. He was coming in with a record of 39-15-1 (29), and Nielsen was 29 years old and with a record of 12-0 (4). Smith lost the fight via 5th-round TKO.
On September 17, 1994 James Smith faced off against Axel Schulz at age 41. He was coming in with a record of 39-14-1 (29), and Schulz was 25 years old and with a record of 20-1-1 (10). Smith lost the fight via 10-round unanimous decision.
On January 18, 1994 James Smith faced off against Lionel Butler at age 40. He was coming in with a record of 39-13-1 (29). Smith lost the fight via 3rd-round TKO.
On December 3, 1993 James Smith faced off against Daniel Dăncuță at age 40. He was coming in with a record of 37-12-1 (29). Smith lost the fight via 3-round unanimous decision.
On February 27, 1993 James Smith faced off against Michael Moorer at age 39. He was coming in with a record of 33-11-1 (26), and Moorer was 25 years old and with a record of 30-0 (28). Smith lost the fight via 10-round unanimous decision.
On June 26, 1992 James Smith faced off against Greg Page at age 39. He was coming in with a record of 33-10-1 (26), and Page was 33 years old and with a record of 34-10 (27). Smith lost the fight via 10-round unanimous decision.
On November 4, 1991 James Smith faced off against Levi Billups at age 38. He was coming in with a record of 30-9-1 (24). Smith lost the fight via 10-round unanimous decision.
On July 2, 1989 James Smith faced off against Donovan Ruddock at age 36. He was coming in with a record of 19-8-1 (14), and Ruddock was 25 years old and with a record of 21-1-1 (14). Smith lost the fight via 7th-round KO.
On August 9, 1987 James Smith faced off against Adílson Rodrigues at age 34. He was coming in with a record of 19-7 (14). Smith lost the fight via 10-round split decision.
On March 7, 1987 James Smith, the WBA champion, met Mike Tyson, the WBC champion, in a heavyweight world-title unification fight. Smith was 33 years old and with a record of 19-6 (14), and Tyson was 20 years old and with a record of 28-0 (26). Smith lost the fight via 12-round unanimous decision and lost his title.
On February 23, 1986 James Smith faced off against Marvis Frazier at age 32. He was coming in with a record of 15-5 (12), and Frazier was 25 years old and with a record of 15-1 (7). Smith lost the fight via 10-round unanimous decision.
On June 15, 1985 James Smith faced off against Tim Witherspoon in a heavyweight bout at age 32. He was coming in with a record of 15-4 (12), and Witherspoon was 27 years old and with a record of 20-2 (14). Smith lost the fight via 12-round unanimous decision.
On March 15, 1985 James Smith faced off against Tony Tubbs at age 31. He was coming in with a record of 14-3 (12), and Tubbs was 27 years old and with a record of 19-0 (14). Smith lost the fight via 10-round unanimous decision.
On November 9, 1984 James Smith fought Larry Holmes in a heavyweight world-title fight for Holmes' IBF title. Smith was 31 years old and with a record of 14-2 (12), and Holmes was 35 years old and with a record of 45-0 (32). Smith lost the fight via 12th-round TKO.
On November 5, 1981 James Smith faced off against James Broad at age 28. He was coming in with a record of 0-1 (0). Smith lost the fight via 4th-round KO.
