Buck Smith.. King Of The Journeymen..

[mickey malone]

Here's a tremendous character if ever there was one..

Buck Smith from Oklahoma City who turned pro in August 87, losing a 4 round DC to welterweight Ali Smith who had an 0-4 record.. Buck last fought back in April of this year, losing to cruiserweight Damon Read via 1st round retirement..

But it's what he did in between these fights that impresses me..
After losing his debut, he mysteriously went 23 unbeaten with 15 KO's before dropping a DC to Robert Wangila..
Not to be deterred, he then put together 108 wins with 73 KO's until losing a 12 round DC to Kevin Pompey for the USBA title..
After this, he went 22-0 (12 KO's) after which his record becomes very patchy.. His record today stands at... 179-20-2 (120KO's)
It's fairly littered with No Contests, a few against the noted Harold Brazier..
Does anyone know about those fights?
Some Journey though.. Any thoughts?

[Southpaw16BF]

Buck is a fighter not many mention round here. On record he has had 226 fights with 179 wins. A pretty amazing record indeed, but pretty amusing when you look into the context of it.

With a record of 123-2-2 Buck fought the USBA Title against Kevin Pompey and lost a UD victory. As good as Buck's record is, this tell you something, as with 123 wins with only 2 losses he cound't win a USBA Title.

Do to Buck's credit he holds a good win over Former ABA, British and European champion Kirkland Laing, who is most famous for beating Roberto Duran. Smith knocked out Lang in 7. And after this defeat Lang would go on to win the European title and the British, so judging of this win Smith showed signs of a legit fighter.

Smith has also been in with the likes of Mark Breland, Buddy Mcgirt, Shannon Taylor, Julio Cesar Chavez, and more.

Smith has more wins that any other fighter since Archie Moore and Willie Pep.

And like you said, I bet Smith would have a story or two to tell. On paper a amazing record, but it's when you look into the record you get pretty surprised.

[sonnyboyx2]

Buck was a good fighter who came over here to the UK in 1990 and beat the very talented Kirkland Laing

[mickey malone]

Remember the fight with Laing vividly.. Laing started acting flash, dropping his hands & sticking his chin out.. Smith bowled in a big overhand right & Laing went down like a lead balloon.. Think I mentioned it on the Funniest KO's thread..
Obviously, 90% of Smiths opponents were I'd say of the obscure variety.. This becomes apparent, when you consider that the majority of his 120 KO's were inside 4 rounds..

Thanks for the vid..