Wallace Smith (boxer)
| Wallace "Bud" Smith | |
|---|---|
| Statistics | |
| Real name | Wallace Smith |
| Rated at | Lightweight |
| Height | 5 ft 6.5 in (1.69 m) |
| Nationality | American |
| Born |
April 2, 1924 Cincinnati, Ohio |
| Died | July 11, 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.
Amateur career
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.
Professional career
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.
Life after boxing
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.
Murder
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 |
References
- ↑ "Bud Smith Wins Confused Decision Over Jimmy Carter," Alubquerque Journal, October 20, 1955, p18. A national TV audience was unable to see the announcement of the final decision, because one of the judges, Joe Blink, had difficulty in adding up his scorecard, in what Sports Illustrated described as "the long, long count" (SI, October 31, 1955, pp12-13).