10 Facts About Solly Smith

Solomon Garcia Smith was an American professional boxer in the featherweight division.

Solly Smith was a World Featherweight champion and is the first world champion of Hispanic descent.

Solly Smith was born in Los Angeles, the son of a Mexican mother and an Irish father.

Solomon Garcia Solly Smith made his professional debut in 1888 at the age of 17.

Solly Smith improved his skills in subsequent bouts and established himself as one of the top fighters in the bantamweight and featherweight divisions, fighting to draws against future hall of fame member Young Griffo and future two-division champion Frank Erne, along with scoring quality wins over opponents such as former champion Torpedo Billy Murphy and avenging a disqualification loss to Oscar Gardner.

The crowning moment of Solly Smith's career came on October 4,1897, when he defeated George Dixon in a rematch bout to capture the World Featherweight title, thus ending the Canadian champion's six-year reign.

Solly Smith was seen as a promising champion, having avenged losses to two of the three men who held victories over him up to that point, Dixon and Gardner, with the third being reigning lightweight champion and future hall of fame member Kid Lavigne who had outpointed Solly Smith in an eight round contest.

Solly Smith had the misfortune to break his left arm near the wrist in the second round of their bout, ending his chances to give a good showing.

Solly Smith's career took a downward spiral following that loss as he won only one out of the fifteen remaining bouts in his career.

Solly Smith retired after a knockout loss to Billy Snailham in 1904.