James Broad was an American heavyweight boxer who was a Notable Contender throughout the 1980s, who beat Future World Champion James Smith and gave Heavyweight Champion Greg Page a very tough fight only losing by Majority Decision.
13 Facts About James Broad
1.
2.
James Broad won the NABF heavyweight title and was a regular sparring partner of a peak Mike Tyson.
3.
James Broad fought the likes of James Smith, Razor Ruddock, Tony Tucker, Tim Witherspoon, Johnny du Plooy, Francesco Damiani, and Greg Page.
4.
James Broad took up boxing while serving in the US Army, being a Specialist 4th class stationed at Fort Ord.
5.
James Broad beat Chris McDonald on points, and scored a first-round-knockout victory over Marvis Frazier in the 1980 Olympic Trials finals, where he qualified for the 1980 US Olympic Boxing team which ultimately did not compete due to President Jimmy Carter's order to boycott the Olympics.
6.
James Broad's weight was already a problem at this early stage of his career, but Broad worked down to 228 for his first big fight, against fellow undefeated prospect Marvis Frazier.
7.
James Broad rocked Frazier with his signature uppercuts but was unable to replicate his knockout victory in the amateurs, and he was outworked over 10 rounds.
8.
James Broad bounced back to outpoint Larry Alexander over 12 rounds in 1983 then knockout contender Eddie Gregg in 8 rounds to win the NABF title in 1984.
9.
James Broad was unable to get back into serious shape for the remainder of his career, and his results suffered.
10.
James Broad lost a 12-round decision to top contender and future world champion Tony Tucker for the USBA title in 1986, and in 1987 was twice outpointed over 10 rounds, by Francesco Damiani in Italy and then by ex-world champ Greg Page, in a fight where both men were down.
11.
James Broad outpointed future cruiserweight world title-challenger Patrick Lumumba but went to South Africa and was poleaxed in 4 rounds by Johnny DuPlooy.
12.
In 1992 Boxing Illustrated reported that James Broad intended to make a comeback and wanted to be world champion, despite the fact he was banned in Nevada and California both for failing a neurological exam and testing positive for Hepatitis.
13.
James Broad somehow managed to get 4 more fights, losing 3 of them.