Ringside Report Remembers James Broad
James Broad, 23-10,15 KO’s was an American heavyweight boxer who was an amateur star and, prior to the boycott, was set to represent the United States in the 1980 Moscow Olympics. As a professional, “Broad Axe” won the NABF heavyweight title and was a regular sparring partner of a peak Mike Tyson.
Broad, who took up boxing when he joined the Army in 1976, defeated top amateur Chris McDonald in the 1980 Olympic Trials finals and qualified for the 1980 US Olympic Boxing team. Unfortunately, “Broad Axe” was unable to achieve dream of Olympic Gold when the U.S team pulled out of the summer games due to political reasons.
On August 11, 1981, James Broad began his professional career by knocking out winless Albert Collins at the Sands Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Broad would register a fourth-round knockout victory over future heavyweight champion James “Bonecrusher” Smith in his fourth fight. The “Broad Axe” would reel off eight more victories in a row, including wins over Lou Benson, JR., Randy Mack, Donnie Long, Walter Santemore, and Tony Pulu.
On April 10,1983, in a battle of unbeaten heavyweight prospects, Marvis Frazier, son of former heavyweight champion Smokin’ Joe Frazier, defeated James Broad by ten-round unanimous decision at the Resorts International in Atlantic City. Despite having a two-inch height and over a three-inch reach advantage, James Broad was out-hustled by the smaller Frazier. Two of the judges at ringside scored the bout 5-4-1, while the third judge scored the contest 6-3-1, all for Frazier.
James rebounded nicely after his disappointing showing against Frazier, winning three fights in a row in Atlantic City. Broad scored technical knockout victories over Leroy Diggs and Tommy Thomas to set up a shot for the vacant NABF Heavyweight title against undefeated Eddie Gregg.
On August 23, 1984, at the Felt Forum in New York City, James Broad showcased his boxing skills by knocking out Gregg in the eighth round of their scheduled twelve-round contest. “Broad Axe” used a strong jab to keep his opponent off balance and when in close, threw power shots to the body of Gregg. Gregg seemed to be doing well on the inside with the bigger fighter, winning the seventh round by landing the more effective blows. James Broad, who outweighed his opponent by nearly thirty pounds, ended the fight at the :28 mark into the eighth when he landed a couple of big right hands early in the round and followed up with a barrage of punches that left Gregg badly stunned along the ropes.
Poor conditioning started to lead to the demise of the once promising career of Broad. On April 29, 1985, Broad scaled a whopping 260 pounds for the first defense of his title and was knocked out in two rounds by once and future world champion Tim Witherspoon. Broad, was hurt by overhand right and then knocked out by barrage of punches at the 2:35 mark of the round.
Broad was able to win his next three fights, all by stoppage, to put him in line for a shot for the vacant USBA Heavyweight title. On September 26, 1986, in Atlantic City, Tony Tucker defeated Broad by unanimous decision to claim the belt. The loss for the “Broad Axe” would be the first of three in a row that he would suffer, with all three contests going the distance. In 1987, Broad 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.
However, after a points decision victory over Patrick Lumumba, Broad would be knocked out in consecutive bouts. Johnny Du Plooy and Donovan “Razor” Ruddock both would score stoppage wins over Broad in 1988. During all this time, Broad was a sparring partner for a peak Mike Tyson and took many punches in the gym.
In 1992, Boxing Illustrated reported that James intended to make a comeback in hopes of still becoming world champion. The “Broad Axe”, who was banned in Nevada and California both for failing a neurological exam and testing positive for Hepatitis, somehow managed to get four more fights, losing three of them. Broad would win only two of the last five fights of his career. By 2000 Broad was said to be homeless in Las Vegas and badly brain damaged. Tragically, at the age of forty-three, Broad died in 2001, back in his hometown of Greensboro, North Carolina.
James Broad, who never won the world championship, did leave boxing fans with some memorable moments. Boxing fans and media should express regret at the circumstances of the last few days of his life and give him a final salute for his contribution to boxing.
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