Wallace Smith (boxer)

Wallace "Bud" Smith (April 2, 1924 – July 11, 1973) was a world lightweight boxing champion who also competed in the Olympic Games. He was murdered in 1973.

Born in Cincinnati, OH, 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.

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.

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.

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.

On July 11, 1973 at 400 Erkenbrecher, Avondale, Smith saw a man beating up a woman and stepped in. The man pulled a gun and shot Smith in the head, killing him.