Help Request, Charlie Thunderbolt Smith.

He is probably the first fighter to hold the colored heavyweight tile.

 

I can send you a bunch of primary source reports of his bouts, if you want.

 

Pray do!

 

Try my book, Peter Maher, The Irish Champion, stuff/record of him in there.

 

Your contributions to this forum as an historian are much appreciated.

 

Amazon is fine! Enjoy.

 

1898-02-18 Buffalo Courier (Buffalo, NY) (page 7)
THUNDERBOLT SMITH.
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Charge That the Negro Is an Impostor.
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Not the Original C. C. Smith, but a Rubber Who Purloined His Name--Letter from Chicago.

Thunderbolt Smith, the negro heavyweight fighter of this city, who got his trimmings from Peter Maher a few nights ago at Philadelphia, would better have a care or he will find himself involved in a lawsuit. A man who claims to be the original C. C. Smith makes a peculiar charge against the local man. It is set forth in the following letter to The Courier:

Chicago, Feb. 15, 1898.
Fistic Editor Buffalo Courier.
Dear Sir--Please allow me a few lines to let the sporting public understand that I am not in the ring, nor could I re-enter if I so wished, my age, and my size being out of the question to do any fighting, although my name is used, and by a man who seems to have no honor about him. What a ***** brain he must have to insist on using my name, C. C. Smith. In 1884 I was managed by one Hugh Riley of No. 29 Dean Street, Albany, N. Y. We failed to agree and I went West. When I returned East again I found that this man Riley had routed all through Massachusetts with this man Amos Lavender, a big strong fellow, as C. C. Smith.

I tried to stop him and he went up against Joe Butler, who defeated him. Now he is going under the name C. C. Smith, the only and original colored champion of America, as I have retired and am out of the business. My last fight was with R. N. Harrison at Bay City, Mich., on February 7th, 1887. Billy Lavigne and George the Kid, my pupils, were in my corner as my seconds. I feel as though I should have justice in this matter. I don't want to have my name used, as there is only one C. C. Smith, and I claim to be that man, and I will take any step that there is in the law to stop the use of my name. This man Amos Lavender was hired by Hugh Riley as a rubber for me, not as a sparring partner, and as soon as I left Albany he used him as a substitute. I am very truly yours,
C. C. SMITH.
Retired colored champion pugilist of America, No. 685 West Madison Street, Chicago, Ill.

 

1887-02-12 Saginaw Evening News (Saginaw, MI) (page 3)
Smith's Heavy Slugging Causes a Racket in the Sparring Match at Bay City Last Evening--It is Declared a Draw.
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Declared a Draw.

About 500 sportingmen of the valley, a goodly number of them being from this city, were spectators at Walton Hall, Bay City, last evening, to witness the sparring match of six rounds for scientific points, Marquis of Queensbury rules to govern, between C. A. C. Smith, of this city, and R. N. Harrison, of Chicago. The event of the evening was preceded by a three-round glove contest between Charles Lavine, of this city, and Win. Elliott, of Bay City, an exhibition of club swinging by Prof. Marsh, and a three-round glove contest by Billy Butts, of Bay City, and Billy Lavine, of this city, to amuse the sporting fraternity that were gazing at the twenty-four-foot ring on the stage.

There had been considerable talk about the relative merits of the men, and friends of either were found that knew there would be a stubborn fight if they had a chance. Shortly before 10 o'clock the principals were introduced by Referee Henry Woods and a shout of applause was heard all over the hall. Both are large, powerful men and looked as though they meant business. After they had adjusted the mittens and were admonished to break at the word, and that there should be no slugging, "time" was called for the first round. It opened very nice, but Smith was too scientific, which made Harrison mad, and the latter (Harrison) commenced his slugging work, expecting to worst Smith, as he was no match for Smith in scientific sparring. Smith responded in an able manner, and convinced the audience that he was the heaviest hitter. Harrison was about used up in the second round, and the third and fourth rounds were slugging and clinching from beginning to end, Smith doing Harrison. At the conclusion of this round the referee stepped forward and announced that, as the match was for points, and both contestants were constantly violating the rules, he would no longer act as referee, and declared the match a draw up to that point. Some of the audience shouted to the pugilists to go on, but the majority began to leave the hall and the exhibition broke up.

Prof. Louis Rabshaw, who was Smith's trainer and second, says Harrison could not have lasted another round and that the referee's decision was wrong. Rabshaw was informed by Smith to assist Harrison after Harrison's second, Billy Butts, had thrown the gloves in the middle of the ring and left disgusted.


1887-02-12 The Evening Press (Bay City and West Bay City, MI) (page 3)
THE FISTIC FIZZLE.
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THE MATCH FOR SCIENTIFIC POINTS
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Results in a Sanguinary Affair, and is Finally Stopped by the Police--Smith Carries One of His Eyes in Mourning and Harrison is Sore.
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There are at least 400 people in Bay City who would like to see a prize fight. It is evident that East Saginawians are suffering with the same complaint to quite an extent, as about 100 of the "best of them" came down last night to witness the Smith-Harrison contest. The articles of agreement read that the match was to be for scientific points, but last night's exhibition attests how deceiving some things are. In fact, those present did not go to see a sparring match for scientific points, but went there with the conclusion that they would see two men pummel each other. An order from the prosecuting attorney had been granted for a scientific exhibition, but Captain of Police Simmons, not knowing how the affair might terminate, had three or four of the reserve force on hand, to see that the permission granted by the prosecuting attorney was not taken advantage of.

The whole atmosphere of the hall was of a prize-fighting nature. The "sports" pulled their cigars and "bluffed" with their money, etc., while a rope ring around the stage spoke ominously of what was to be (perhaps).

A number of "local sports" were advertised to appear in a boxing match before the final set-to, and about 8:30 o'clock Win Elliott, of Bay City, and Georgie Lavine, of East Saginaw, appeared in prize-fighting costume in the ring. Young Lavine is a pupil of Smith's, and though only 16 years of age made a very good showing with Elliott, who is a very clever amateur sparrer.

Prof. Marsh then gave an exhibition of club swinging, which was well received by the audience.

Billy Butts, of Bay City, and Billy Lavine, of East Saginaw, then sparred for three rounds. This would have been a more extensive affair but for the fact that Butts is suffering with rheumatism, and is clumsy on his feet. As it was, Lavine started the claret from Butts' nose in the first round, while a number of heavy blows were exchanged during the set-to.

The conclusion of this set-to tended to make the audience nervous, for the event of the night was to come next. Henry Woods acted as referee of the matches, and from time to time, to allay the anxiety, would make an announcement that the men would soon present themselves. In the meantime Smith sat in the reception room of the hall, stripped, and sucking the juice from a lemon. Harrison was busy attending to some matters connected with the hall, and did not strip till the last minute. Lewis Rabshaw seconded Smith, while Billy Butts acted in that capacity for Harrison. Jabe Caswell and Billy Lavine acted as time-keepers. The men were formally introduced to the audience, shook hands with each other, and ordered to fight. Smith put up his hands for an opening, but before the round was fairly commenced, Harrison led with his right, with tremendous force, which was stopped by Smith's right eye. This was the signal for hard hitting, and as the men struck wildly at each other, none were deceived as to the intent of the sparrers.

In the second round, the men went at it with more viciousness than ever, and the same can be said of the third round. Harrison drove Smith on the ropes twice, but he would return smiling. When Harrison attempted to get in a blow Smith's guard seemed to be in the way.

In the fourth round, the men came together and from the first moment began to clinch and wrestle. The referee called time, tried to force the men apart, but was unable to do so. The affair was assuming more and more of a sanguinary nature, until Captain Simmons stepped on the stage, and stopped the fight. The audience arose, crowded to the stage and shouted for the affair to go on, but the participants were forced to their dressing rooms, and some 500 people were compelled to leave without seeing the expected "knock-out."

After the fight was over there were many conjectures as to the ability of the different men, and an attempt was made to get them to go for a finish last night, but this fell through, and the long-talked of fight is over.

 

1883 portrait and short bio - http://www.fultonhistory.com/Newspa...Police Gazette 1882-1883 Grayscale - 0700.pdf

 

No doubt you are familiar with this but the rest of us probably aren't.

http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/CACSmith.htm