Gunboat Smith Video | Boxing Clips and Interviews

Edward "Gunboat" Smith (February 17, 1887 – August 6, 1974) was an Irish American boxer and later a boxing referee. Smith was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He spent much of his youth in orphanages, working on farms and on the railroads. He joined the U.S. Navy, where he began boxing and won the heavyweight championship of the Pacific Fleet. In 1910, Smith became known in the Oakland and San Francisco area by serving as a sparring partner for Jack Johnson and Stanley Ketchel before their Heavyweight title fight there. From 1912–1915 Smith established himself as a leading candidate... MORE

Edward "Gunboat" Smith (February 17, 1887 – August 6, 1974) was an Irish American boxer and later a boxing referee. Smith was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He spent much of his youth in orphanages, working on farms and on the railroads. He joined the U.S. Navy, where he began boxing and won the heavyweight championship of the Pacific Fleet. In 1910, Smith became known in the Oakland and San Francisco area by serving as a sparring partner for Jack Johnson and Stanley Ketchel before their Heavyweight title fight there. From 1912–1915 Smith established himself as a leading candidate for the heavyweight title, beating among others British and British Empire champion Bombadier Billy Wells and future world champion Jess Willard, and beating and losing to Sam Langford in two fights (this is especially notable since many white fighters refused to fight black opponents). He fought many other ranked fighters but, before his death, Smith was asked to name the greatest fighter he ever met. His response: Langford, in his words, “The best of all of Them.” In 1914, Smith won the "White Hope" heavyweight championship. This title, created by boxing promoters due to the unpopularity of the LESS