http://timesonline.typepad.com/boxing/ Boxing has been hit by too many tragedies in the past year, among them the deaths of Alexis Arguello, Arturo Gatti and Darren Sutherland, who were believed to have taken their own lives (although Gatti's family challenged the Brazilian police's verdict of suicide). Ernie Smith was a journeyman who had 161 bouts but only won a handful. Yet he always gave his best, despite being frequently over-matched. Tragically, last week, he took his own life, his body found hanged in a popular South Wales beauty spot. My esteemed colleague, Mark Staniforth, of the Press Association, wrote the following, excellent tribute. Ernie Smith never fought for headlines, and in death, as in life, they continued to elude him. His tragic passing last week, by suicide at the age of 31, was noted outside his friends and family by only a hardcore of boxing enthusiasts. Smith wasn't the best boxer in the world, nor did he ever pretend to be. Statistically at least, he was one of the least successful. He won just 13 of 161 professional bouts, losing his last 55 straight - a run stretching back to 2005. But the statistics do not tell the real story of Smith's contribution to boxing. Nor why his death was as keenly felt by those who earn a living from the sport as the departure of any champion or pay-per-view superstar. Smith, nicknamed 'Gypsy Boy' and billed for most of his career out of Stourport, was a journeyman and never ashamed to admit it: a durable trial-horse upon which the latest up-and-coming prospects could test their skills. Current top fighter Nathan Cleverly made his debut against him, while Smith also fought the likes of Kell Brook, Darren Barker, Ricky Burns, John Murray, Michael Jennings and Gavin Rees. None of them stopped him. Frank Warren's veteran whip Ernie Draper was shocked to hear of Smith's death. "He was a lovely boy. He didn't cause any problems for anyone. If he'd been offered a fight on the moon he'd have got there on time. "I remember taking him to the ring at ExCel one night and he said, 'Ernie, I need a cig badly.' He was all gloved up but he said he needed a puff to get him through the rounds. I reminded him it was a no-smoking venue, and he did the rounds anyway." Smith saved shows as far away as Scotland, thinking nothing of travelling up at a moment's notice to fight for small change against the local prospect, invariably ending the night in the bar chatting to fans of the man he had lost to. His long-time trainer Errol Johnson said: "Ernie was a great, lively kid who would do anything for anyone, turn up anywhere at the drop of a hat. He loved boxing. We were very shocked to hear the news." In an interview with Boxing News after his 100th fight, Smith, whose twin brother Billy often fought on the same shows, said: "My job is to teach the up-and-coming boxers. "I've got the experience and know-how to get through. Some fights could end your career but it's all about knowing which fights to take and when. Don't get me wrong - I love boxing. I've got it in my blood." Smith talked about opening a gym at the end of his career, but it finished sooner than he would have liked, after failing his annual MRI scan last year and being denied a new licence by the British Boxing Board of Control. The Board's general secretary Robert Smith said: "I was deeply shocked by the news. In Ernie's case you don't look at his record. You look at all those opponents who fought him and learned from him and went on to become stars. "After four losses a fighter's future is considered by the relevant area council but in Ernie's case it was seldom an issue because of the manner of those defeats. You knew he could look after himself." Smith's twin brother Billy is plotting a comeback after retiring of his own volition late in 2008. By a tragic coincidence, Billy was undergoing a medical ahead of his prospective re-licensing on the day Ernie took his own life. Boxing has lost a lot of superstars in recent times, and in his own way, Smith deserves his place amongst them. Were it not for the likes of Smith those superstars would never have had the learning fights that helped make them great. Next week, Cleverly, now an unbeaten 18-fight prospect, fights for the European light-heavyweight title at Wembley Arena. Whatever his trajectory, he will never forget his debut against Smith in Edinburgh in 2005. "I was only 18 at the time and before the fight Ernie shook my hand and said welcome to the pro game," said Cleverly. "He told me it's a tough game and I'm here to help you start your career. "Ernie gave me a tough fight in the ring and he could certainly take a punch. He was brilliant for boxing - he helped so many future champions develop their careers. I was shocked by the news. The sport has lost a really great guy."
Exact same thing happened with another pro boxer in the States around 10 years ago, his name was Walter something, he was a professional "opponent" and just killed himself.
Why is it that a nice guy like Ernie is dead, while geniune scumbags like quitaly and wladimira keep on livin'?
Who knows....he had his reasons, RIP. Also....Walter Cowans was the name of the guy who made Ring Magazine upon his death. His record indicates a fight against one Sam Hill....a name that might ring some bells :doh::doh::boohoo: http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=3124&cat=boxer
"Smith talked about opening a gym at the end of his career, but it finished sooner than he would have liked, after failing his annual MRI scan last year and being denied a new licence by the British Boxing Board of Control."
Sad to hear, also Howard Clarke is pretty fucked now as well, not suicidal or anything but they reckon he will be dead in 3 years or so. Sad.
Is this the same guy that landed a payday vs Vargas at the Garden after he upset former US amateur Jason Papillon? I would have thought he was set by now.
Yup same dude, fought Vargas on the Holyfield-Lewis 1 undercard. He became a journeyman after that, I think he won like 1 or 2 fights out of 30+ afterwards. Got brain damage and is deteriorating rapidly. Hasn't got long left.
