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The Cyber Boxing Zone Encyclopedia -- Title Contender

Harry Smith

BORN June 5 1893; in Russia (Fought out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
DIED December 29 1963; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
HEIGHT 5-0 1/2
WEIGHT 105-116 lbs
MANAGERS Johnny Loftus, Herman Hindin, Reynold O. Gilkes

 

Smith was a scrappy, hard-hitting, left-handed bantamweight out of Philadelphia; He was considered to be championship material at the age of 17, during his first year of professional boxing; He often fought larger, heavier men; Harry was an Amateur Champion

Due to the rules and regulations of the times, Harry engaged in many "No Decision" contests; According to sportswriters at ringside, he was the better man in the vast majority of these bouts; He also had the misfortune of fighting in a time when a number of very talented men were avoided and never given a chance at the title; Many felt he was a sure bet to win the Bantamweight Championship if he ever got the opportunity to fight for the crown

After retiring from the ring, Smith owned a tavern and was a real estate investor; He was active in politics all his life and was a Ward Leader in Philadelphia

Undated
       Eddie Doyle                Philadelphia, Pa                  W  6
       Pat Bradley                Philadelphia, Pa                  W   
       Young Larry                                                 TK   
       Eddie McCloskey                                              W  6
       Jimmy Bradley              Philadelphia, Pa                  W  6
          -This bout was reported as Smith's 9th Pro victory
       Battling O'Boyle           Philadelphia, Pa                 ND  6

1911
Jul 25 Danny Ferguson             Philadelphia, Pa                 KO  2
          -Approximate date; Reports are difficult to interpret;
           This may have been Smith's first professional bout
Aug 15 George Cherry              Philadelphia, Pa                 KO  3
Sep 23 Casey Jones                Philadelphia, Pa                 KO  4
          -Approximate date; Reports are difficult to interpret
Nov  3 Willie O'Toole             Philadelphia, Pa                 ND  6
Nov  7 Fred "Young" Diggins       Philadelphia, Pa                 ND  6
Nov 11 Kid Williams               Baltimore, Md                    LK  6

1912
Feb 27 Johnny Morgan              Philadelphia, Pa                 ND  6
Jul 19 Tommy Buck                 Philadelphia, Pa                SCH   
          -This bout was scheduled; The outcome is not known;
           Some sources report 3/12/12
Aug 27 Danny McCabe               Philadelphia, Pa                 ND  6
          -This was reportedly Smith's 22nd straight victory
Oct  4 Tommy Dixon                Philadelphia, Pa                 ND  6
Nov 22 Kid Williams               Philadelphia, Pa                 ND  6
Dec 28 Willie "Irish" Mahon       Philadelphia, Pa                 ND  6

1913
Mar  2 Leo Tracey                 Philadelphia, Pa                 ND  6
Apr  7 Jimmy Murphy               Philadelphia, Pa                 ND  6
Apr 14 Jimmy Taylor               Philadelphia, Pa                 ND  6
Jun 26 Johnny Clarke              Philadelphia, Pa                 ND  6
Jul  8 Joe Murphy                 Philadelphia, Pa                 ND  6
Aug 14 Willie Evans               Philadelphia, Pa                 ND  6
Sep 20 Willie Brown               Philadelphia, Pa                 ND  6
Nov 22 "Pekin" Kid Herman         Philadelphia, Pa                 ND  6
          -Some sources report "Willie Herman"

1914
Jan 23 John "K.O." Eggers         Philadelphia, Pa                 ND  6
Feb 17 Louisiana                  Philadelphia, Pa                 ND  6
Jun 15 Charley Sieger             Philadelphia, Pa                 ND  6
Oct  8 "Young" Jack Toland        Philadelphia, Pa                 ND  6
Oct 16 Willie Jones               Brooklyn, NY                     ND 10
Dec 25 Jimmy Murray               Philadelphia, Pa                 ND  6

1915
Jan  1 Louisiana                  Philadelphia, Pa                 ND  6
Jan 15 Louisiana                  Philadelphia, Pa                 ND  6
Apr 23 Harry Wagner               Philadelphia, Pa                 ND  6
Nov  1 "Jersey" Frankie Burns     Philadelphia, Pa                 ND  6
Nov  9 "Young" Jack Toland        Philadelphia, Pa                 ND  6
Nov 30 Bernie Hahn                Philadelphia, Pa                 ND  6

1916
Jan 24 Clarrie Marshall           Philadelphia, Pa                 KO  5
Apr 25 "Young" Jack Toland        Philadelphia, Pa                 ND  6
May 28 "Young" Jack Toland        Philadelphia, Pa                 ND  6
          -Some sources report 5/29/16
Jun 27 Charley Rear               Philadelphia, Pa                 ND  6
Nov 15 Bobby Ward                 Philadelphia, Pa                 KO  4
Dec  1 Gussie Lewis               Philadelphia, Pa                 ND  6
Dec 25 Joe Fisher                 Philadelphia, Pa                 ND  6

1920
Apr 13 Joe Richards               Philadelphia, Pa                 KO  3
May 25 Frankie Farmer             Philadelphia, Pa                  W  8
          -Some sources report "L 8"

1921
Feb 15 Cincinnati Flash           Philadelphia, Pa                 KO   
Apr 23 Ray West                   Brooklyn, NY                     WF  1

*** Much Data Was Provided By Morton Smith (Son of Harry) ***

*** Some Data Was Provided By Sid Schneck ***

Review courtesy of Tracy Callis, Historian, International Boxing Research Organization