| Wallace "Bud" Smith | |
|---|---|
| Statistics | |
| Real name | Wallace Smith |
| Rated at | Lightweight |
| Height | 5 ft 6.5 in (1.69 m) |
| Nationality | American |
| Born | 2 April 1924 Cincinnati, Ohio |
| Died | 11 July 1973 (aged 49) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 60 |
| Wins | 31 |
| Wins by KO | 18 |
| Losses | 23 |
| Draws | 6 |
| No contests | 0 |
Wallace "Bud" Smith (April 2, 1924 in Cincinnati, OH – July 11, 1973) was a world lightweight boxing champion.
Contents |
Smith represented the United States at the 1948 Olympic Games in the lightweight division. Smith defeated Chuck Davey of Michigan State College, to earn a spot on the team. Smith had been the 1948 A.A.U. Lightweight Champion. He reportedly ended his amateur career with a 52-4 record.
Smith turned pro in 1948 with a first round knockout over Torpedo Tinsley. Over the next seven years, Smith established himself as one of the world's top lightweights with victories over top-rated Red Top Davis, Orlando Zulueta, and Arthur Persley.
On June 29, 1955, Smith upset the odds and decisioned 3-time world lightweight champion Jimmy Carter to win the title. Four months later successfully defended the title in a rematch with Carter. [1]
However, In 1956, after losing 3-straight non-title bouts, Smith lost his title in an upset to Joe Brown. Smith went on to fight two more years; ending his career after losing 11 straight fights, half by knockout.
Smith started hanging out in his neighborhood, wearing a cowboy hat and talking about making a comeback. The years passed by, and Smith dropped out of the public spotlight. His life was far from an easy one, but the good-natured Smith was a popular figure in his neighborhood.
On July 11, 1973. Wallace "Bud" Smith's death, 400 Erkenbrecher, Avondale. That's where former lightweight world champion Smith saw a man beating up a woman and stepped in. The man pulled a gun and shot Smith in the head, killing him.
| Preceded by Jimmy Carter |
World Lightweight Champion 29 Jun 1955–24 Aug 1956 |
Succeeded by Joe Brown |