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.