James Smith (sports media figure)

James E. Smith ("Smitty") is a sports and media figure best known for his interviews with famous international boxing stars. Smith was a professional boxer for three years and has played football for University of Minnesota Tech. He is the host of In This Corner,[1][2] America's only syndicated, half-hour-long boxing interview TV show, featuring interviews and in-ring demonstrations with professional boxers. Smith also has a regular commentary section on Secondsout.com,[3] a leading boxing news website. Smith currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada, and has three children.

James Smith
Smitty during an interview
Born
James E. Smith

(1959-02-05) February 5, 1959
Miami, Florida, United States
NationalityAmerican
Other namesSmitty

Personal life

Smith was born on February 5, 1959, in Miami, Florida, to Louise and James Smith Sr. He met boxing legend, Muhammad Ali, in 1970 when he was just 11 years old. Smith would often visit Ali at the 5th Street Gym on Miami Beach where he would frequently train.[4] Smith played football for Carol City High School and later, University of Minnesota Tech, where he started as a wide receiver for two years. He was also a ball boy for the Miami Dolphins in 1970-1973.

Career

In 1980, Smith decided to pursue a career in boxing, but that decision was short-lived. He quit boxing just three years later and soon started sports directing, talk hosting, broadcasting[5] and even commentating for various television stations[6] for the next forty years.[7]

On May 23, 1997, Smith gave the play-by-play commentary of the first ever live internet boxing broadcast.[8]

On April 1, 2004, Smith began hosting In This Corner.[9] He has not only had famous boxers on the show, but well-known actors also.

Inducted into the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame, Class of 2010.[10]

Inducted into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame in 2016[11]

Current Host and MC of International Boxing Hall of Fame weekend Induction Ceremonies[12]

References
  1. . In This Corner TV Show's website, Retrieved 2008-12-04.
  2. ▷ In This Corner, Hosted by Smitty: Episode 10 - Official Free Replay, retrieved 2021-03-22
  3. . SecondsOut, Retrieved 2008-11-26.
  4. Frías, Carlos. "How South Florida made Ali the greatest". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved 2021-03-22.
  5. "RJJ Boxing & iKON MMA DOUBLEHEADER OFFICIAL WEIGHTS". philboxing.com. Retrieved 2021-03-22.
  6. Dixon, Amber (2017-01-30). "Las Vegas boxing analyst: Mayweather vs. McGregor should happen". KSNV. Retrieved 2021-03-22.
  7. Archived 2008-12-05 at the Wayback Machine. Smitty Zone, Retrieved 2008-11-26.
  8. Sarasota Herald Tribune
    Ring Sports Magazine August 1997, article "The Sweet Science of Boxing on the Internet" by Geoff Fox
    Internet Boxing Digest
  9. . In This Corner
  10. . Florida Boxing Hall of Fame website, Retrieved 2010-03-28.
  11. "Class of 2016". NVBHOF. Retrieved 2021-03-22.
  12. "Induction Weekend 2019". www.ibhof.com. Retrieved 2021-03-22.
  • In This Corner TV, Smitty's boxing interview TV show
  • Smitty Zone, James Smith's personal website
  • Smitty on YouTube
  • Smitty on Myspace
  • Smitty's column on Secondsout.com


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