Dave Smith (boxer)

Dave Smith (1886 – 29 May 1945) was a champion New Zealand-born boxer.

Smith had success as an amateur boxer in New Zealand, winning Otago and Dunedin titles, and moved to Australia in 1907 to pursue a professional career.[1]

He became the heavyweight champion of Australia, and travelled to the United States looking for a shot at the world title.[1] On his return to Australia he beat Bill Lang to win the Commonwealth heavyweight title.

He appeared in the films From Bondage to Freedom (1911) and In the Last Stride (1916).[2][3][4] He was also announced to play the lead in a film called An Australian Hero and the Red Spiders which may not have been made.[5][6][7]

Dave Smith died on 29 May 1945 in Sydney.[1]

Dave was the 2009 Inductee for the Australian National Boxing Hall of Fame Old Timers category.

  1. ^ a b c "Dave Smith—A Great Australian Heavyweight", Toodyay Herald, 25 October 1946, p. 9. Retrieved 13 October 2014
  2. ^ "Death of Boxing Champion". Kalgoorlie Miner. WA: National Library of Australia. 5 June 1945. p. 4. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  3. ^ "DAVE SMITH'S DEATH". The Sydney Morning Herald. National Library of Australia. 30 May 1945. p. 8. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  4. ^ Vagg, Stephen (18 August 2019). "Australian Movie Stars". Filmink.
  5. ^ "Among the Boxers". Referee. No. 1417. New South Wales, Australia. 24 December 1913. p. 6. Retrieved 25 August 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. ^ "DAVE SMITH AS ACTOR". The Herald. No. 11, 901. Victoria, Australia. 27 December 1913. p. 2. Retrieved 25 August 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. ^ "BOXING". Warwick Examiner And Times. No. 4525. Queensland, Australia. 7 January 1914. p. 4. Retrieved 25 August 2024 – via National Library of Australia.