Smith, Jewey

Joseph Smith

An Englishman, Smith was a heavyweight in the 1900s and 1910s and is believed to be the first Jew to fight for the heavyweight championship of the world under Marquis of Queensbury rules.

Birth and Death Dates:
b. January 1884 - d. unknown

Career Highlights:
Smith began his career in the early 1900s and by the end of the decade was a contender for the heavyweight crown. After knocking out Mike Crawley in the third-round on March 21, 1908, Smith fought former Colored Heavyweight Champion Sam McVey two days later. McVey, who lost his title to the great Jack Johnson (who became the first African-American world champion), knocked Smith out in the third-round of their bout. Despite the loss, Smith received a title shot the following month from world champion Tommy Burns. The bout was in Paris and in the fifth-round, Smith was knocked out by the Burns.

Smith returned to England after losing to Burns and proceeded to become a top contender for the British crown. Finally in 1910, he got a shot at the British heavyweight title when he battled Iron Hague on February 21; Smith lost the fight on a 20-round decision. Ten months later, he was given a rematch by Hague and again lost a 20-round decision for the title. Smith then travelled to America and fought some of the best heavyweights there, including Joe Jeannette, who knocked Smith out in the third-round of their December 1911 bout. Smith returned to England in 1912 and fought Hague for a third time in December 1913, again losing a 20-round decision.

Origin:
London, England

Physical description:
5'8-1/2", 196 pounds

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