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Sid Smith (boxer)
Encyclopedia
Sid Smith 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.
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
Flyweight
Flyweight is a class in boxing which includes fighters weighing less than 112 lb but above 108 lb .-Professional boxing:...
boxer
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
of Jewish heritage. He was the first officially recognised British flyweight champion, and was also recognised by the International Boxing Union
European Boxing Union
The European Boxing Union is an organization that oversees competition in that sport over the continent of Europe.-History:The EBU started life as the International Boxing Union in Paris in 1910...
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
National Sporting Club
The National Sporting Club was a club founded in London in 1891, which did more to establish the sport of boxing in Great Britain than any other organisation.-Origins:...
. 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
Liverpool Stadium
Liverpool Stadium was a stadium in Liverpool, England. It hosted many different events including boxing, wrestling, concerts, and political hustings.-External links:**-Bibliography:*Curley, Mallory...
, 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
Covent Garden
Covent Garden is a district in London on the eastern fringes of the West End, between St. Martin's Lane and Drury Lane. It is associated with the former fruit and vegetable market in the central square, now a popular shopping and tourist site, and the Royal Opera House, which is also known as...
. He won on points and, having won the title and defended it twice, he won outright the Lonsdale Belt
Lonsdale belt
The Lonsdale Belt was a boxing prize introduced by Hugh Lowther, 5th Earl of Lonsdale, to be awarded to British boxing champions. It is still awarded to British champions today.-National Sporting Club:...
, 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
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
against Frenchman, Eugene Criqui
Eugène Criqui
Eugène Criqui was a French boxer who held the world featherweight title in 1923.Criqui was born in the Belleville neighbourhood of Paris. He was a professional pipe-fitter before he turned professional in 1910. He won the French flyweight title in 1912. His boxing career was interrupted when he...
for the European flyweight title and the World flyweight title, as recognised by the International Boxing Union
European Boxing Union
The European Boxing Union is an organization that oversees competition in that sport over the continent of Europe.-History:The EBU started life as the International Boxing Union in Paris in 1910...
. 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
Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall situated on the northern edge of the South Kensington area, in the City of Westminster, London, England, best known for holding the annual summer Proms concerts since 1941....