Basically the indestructible middleweight. A lot like Marion Wilson actually. He finished his career with a 29-33 record. He was never stopped, and never even off his fight as far as I know. He was very skilled, pretty tenacious in there. His fight against a young Hopkin's in 92' was just a year or so before Hopkin's would go against Jones. Hopkin's looked brilliant against Smith but Smith gave a very good account of himself. He went against almost everyone over the course of his career. Bernard Hopkin's, Iran Barely, Micheal Nunn, Frank Tate, James Kinchen, Mike McCallum... Basically he was fed to every prospect under the sun but he went the distance with all of them.
He was also a world class amateur before he started his pro career. Chicago Golden Gloves champ numerous times at Jr. Middle and Middle, nationally ranked and was involved in the Olympic Trials. Once he went pro, he started well enough before slipping into journeyman status. His great jaw and excellent defensive skills prevented him from getting hurt and I'm sure earned him a credible living as an opponent. Scartissue
Well said. I believe it was said that Ali was his hero as a child and it showed. He'd drop his hands a lot, clown in there just a little... But as tough as Smith was, he could and did get away with it.
Bump for a slick operator who was never even knocked down in 454 career rounds against plenty of notable fighters. Smith lived in the Chicago area and fought most of his amateur bouts in Illinois. 1977 representing Chicago won the 178 lb. Intercity Golden Gloves' championship. 1978 representing Chicago won the 165 lb. Intercity Golden Gloves' championship. 1979 representing Chicago won the 156 lb. Intercity Golden Gloves' championship. 1980 representing Chicago won the 165 lb. Intercity Golden Gloves' championship. 1981 representing Chicago won the 165 lb. Intercity Golden Gloves' championship. Smith was the 1978 C.Y.O. Open division middleweight Champion. Sadly Smith passed away sometime in 2003 at the age of 46.
