Sid Smith (boxer)

Infobox Boxer
name=Sid Smith


realname=Sid Smith
nickname=
weight=Flyweight
nationality=flagicon|UKBritish
birth_date=February 2 1889
birth_place=
death_date=April 28 1948
death_place=
style=
total=104
wins=81
losses=17
draws=6
no contests=0
KO=10|

Sid Smith (born February 2 1889, in Bermondsey, England, died April 28 1948) was an English flyweight boxer of Jewish heritage. He was the first officially recognised British flyweight champion, and was also recognised by the International Boxing Union as the World flyweight champion.

Professional career

He had his first professional fight on 1 February 1907, a day before his eighteenth birthday. He beat Jack Brooks on points over six rounds.

He was not a hard hitter but was a fast mover, who always displayed outstanding footwork.

In September 1911, he fought for the inaugural British flyweight title, introduced by the National Sporting Club. He fought Stoker Hoskyne at The Ring, Blackfriars, London and won on points over twenty rounds.

In October 1911, he defended his title against Louis Ruddick at Liverpool Stadium, again winning on points over twenty rounds.

In December 1911, he defended his title again, against Joe Wilson, at the National Sporting Club, Covent Garden. He won on points and, having won the title and defended it twice, he won outright the Lonsdale Belt, that the he had been awarded after his first title fight.

In September 1912, he defended his title against Curley Walker, winning on points.

In April 1913, he fought in Paris against Frenchman, Eugene Criqui for the European flyweight title and the World flyweight title, as recognised by the International Boxing Union. He beat Criqui on points over twenty rounds to take both titles.

In June 1913, he defended his British, European and World flyweight titles against Bill Ladbury at Blackfriars, London. He lost his titles when the fight was stopped in the eleventh round.

He continued fighting until December 1919, when he had his last fight, beating Johnny Marshall, at the Royal Albert Hall

ee also

* List of British flyweight boxing champions

References

*

* Maurice Golesworthy, Encyclopaedia of Boxing (Eighth Edition) (1988), Robert Hale Limited, ISBN 0-7090-3323-0