Ed "Gunboat" Smith
Profile and Rare Colorized Sparring Footage with Bob Armstrong 1914
Edward "Gunboat" Smith was an Irish American boxer, a film actor and a boxing referee who fought professionally from 1909 to 1921. During his career, The Gunner fought twelve different Boxing Hall of Famers, regardless of race, including work as a sparring partner for champion Jack Johnson. Among the all-time greats he fought were Jack Dempsey, Harry Greb, and Georges Carpentier. Smith’s most notable victories were wins by decision over the great Sam Langford, and against future Heavyweight Champion Jess Willard. Both fights in 1913.
In 1914, at the peak of his career, Smith traveled to England to fight the European champion Georges Carpentier. The fight took place in front of 10,000 spectators at the Olympia in London. Unfortunately, the fight ended in controversy. In the sixth round, Carpentier stumbled or was knocked down. Smith followed through with a punch while Georges still on the canvas. Though the punch was unintentional, the referee stopped the fight anyway and, despite protests, Smith was disqualified.
Very little footage exists of Gunboat Smith during his career. This British Pathe newsreel was taken as Smith arrived in London in 1914. Recently, additional footage from the same visit has come to light as well. This rare film, taken in Hendon, North London, gives us a briefglimpse of Smith in action, as he spars with fellow American heavyweight, Bob Armstrong.
Smith retired in 1921. He went on to appear as an actor in movies through the 1920s and 30s. Later, he became a ring official, as seen here refereeing the 1931 fight between Jack Sharkey and Primo Carnera. Smith died in 1974.
