Wallace Smith
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Wallace "Bud" Smith (born April 2, 1924 in Cincinnati, OH — died July 11, 1973) was a world lightweight boxing champion.
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[edit] 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.
[edit] 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 James Carter to win the title. Four months later he repeated his victory.
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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] Murder
On July 11, 1973, Smith was talking to a female friend on a public street when a car drove by and someone opened fire with a gun. A number of bullets hit the former champion and he fell to the sidewalk dead. It later transpired that the intended victim was the female Smith had been talking to.
| Preceded by Jimmy Carter |
World Lightweight Champion 29 Jun 1955–24 Aug 1956 |
Succeeded by Joe Brown |
[edit] External links
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