Ernie Smith RIP

[SDHammer]

Total shocker

R.I.P. Ernie

My condolences to his friends and family.

[Tommy Gunn13]

R.I.P Ernie

[rhino222]

im hearing what has happened, but ill not put the details on here out of respect, hope you guys understand that.

[Coco]

im hearing what has happened, but ill not put the details on here out of respect, hope you guys understand that.

Pointless making the comment then, what a spudlike comment!
If you have too much respect etc you shouldn't have posted anything at all, all it does is stir interest further

[teddy007]

im hearing what has happened, but ill not put the details on here out of respect, hope you guys understand that.

Pointless making the comment then, what a spudlike comment!
If you have too much respect etc you shouldn't have posted anything at all, all it does is stir interest further

x2, what a fool.

[el_grande_mauro_mina]

RIP - beat one of my mates over 6. A tough guy very skilled and tons better than his record suggests.

[rhino222]

there is enough interest already, i have it confirmed, but just not my place to play cluedo on here with some of you twats, i do not do 'spudly', as you put it.

try pm'ing me, as other people have done, i dont mind saying on there.

he might have family members or someone close who sees this on here, they dont want to find out the mode of death from me do they !!

dick head.

[Coco]

there is enough interest already, i have it confirmed, but just not my place to play cluedo on here with some of you twats, i do not do 'spudly', as you put it.

try pm'ing me, as other people have done, i dont mind saying on there.

he might have family members or someone close who sees this on here, they dont want to find out the mode of death from me do they !!

dick head.

I think family members or close friends would know exactly what happened and would not need to pour over boxing forums to find out!
Obviously there is interest but you have stirred the pot by implying there is something more to it.
Furthermore I do not abuse or insult people on this forum so do not start name calling with me unless you are willing to do it to my face.
By saying I know what happened but can't tell you etc if exactly the Spud of old and by doing that you started the game of cluedo.

[teddy007]

there is enough interest already, i have it confirmed, but just not my place to play cluedo on here with some of you twats, i do not do 'spudly', as you put it.

try pm'ing me, as other people have done, i dont mind saying on there.

he might have family members or someone close who sees this on here, they dont want to find out the mode of death from me do they !!

dick head.

I think family members or close friends would know exactly what happened and would not need to pour over boxing forums to find out!
Obviously there is interest but you have stirred the pot by implying there is something more to it.
Furthermore I do not abuse or insult people on this forum so do not start name calling with me unless you are willing to do it to my face.
By saying I know what happened but can't tell you etc if exactly the Spud of old and by doing that you started the game of cluedo.

I think he was calling me a dick head to be fair.

[Counter-puncher]

you're all good blokes don't fall out thats not what this thread should be about surely?

RIP>

like everyone says, top journeyman who came to fight and gave good value, proper mainstay of the sport

[dbflex]

Ernie was a really nice guy and a good journeyman. I thought some of you guys might appreciate reading the interview Ernie did with us last year so I posted it up and it's reprinted below:

Ernie, how do you think the role of the journeyman has changed since you made your debut in 1998?

I don’t think the boxers get any respect anymore, especially not the journeymen. But without journeymen you’d have none of the world champions that are out there today. It’s the up-and-coming boxers who have no respect; these kids, they just want to knock you out. You should give respect where it’s due. When I first started, everyone had respect for everyone else but the money has taken over.

So you blame the influence of money for this lack of respect?

There is too much money in boxing. When I started, there was no better atmosphere than at amateur boxing – I’ve had that a couple of times as a pro but everyone sees the pound signs.

Every journeyman can look after himself – say I was boxing this kid, 10 fights, 10 wins, three-four knockouts, on paper I should be a really easy fight for the kid. He’s punching me left, right and centre but all he’s thinking about is his purse.

You cannot learn anything by punching someone’s face in – you can learn off a journeyman who’s been there a thousand times before.

So what do you see as your role in boxing?

My job is to teach the up-and-coming boxers. I’ve got the experience and know-how to get through [not get stopped]. Some fights could end your career but it’s all about knowing which fights to take and when. Don’t get me wrong, I love boxing – I’ve got it in my blood.

Is there anything you feel has improved in boxing since you started?

No, not really.

I have a lot of respect for the medical side. The cornermen are well-trained and there are now paramedics at every show – that’s brilliant.

Personally, I’m only going to about 180 [fights] then I’m finishing, but when I do I plan to open a gym to give my knowledge to others. Having the new training course helps – anything that gives boxers an advantage is good.

What is the key factor in being a successful journeyman?

You can put muscles everywhere, you can be as fit as you want but if you haven’t got the heart, you can’t do it. 90 per cent of journeymen are very good fighters; I didn’t fight the best in the world but I fought the best in the country.

If a boy was too good for me, I wouldn’t take the fight. One good thing about the Board, they wouldn’t let it happen. You’ve got to know where your limit is – everybody’s beatable. Nobody thought [Mike] Tyson would lose.

How do you see boxing changing over the next five-10 years?

I can’t see the sport changing unless the boxers are prepared to listen and take knowledge in instead of thinking they know everything. We can all punch a bag, but it’s when the bag hits back that you have a problem.

Everyone meets their match either inside or outside the ring. How can you learn by just knocking people out?

Are there any prospects out there who you have fought and think are going places?

It’s hard to say because anything can happen. I thought Young Mutley was going to go places but I think he’s come to the end of his road. Bobby Wood [who recently outpointed Smith] wanted to learn but got a bit carried away.

I fought Tony Doherty, he was a good boxer and a traveller like me. Michael Ayers who’s retired now, he was a good kid.

Finally Ernie, you say you’re retiring after another 20 or so fights. As you’re only 31, why not stick around and try to beat [Peter] Buckley’s [300-fight] record?

Are you joking?! I’ve known Buckley for years, he’s a lovely kid but in five-10 years he’ll be punch-drunk. If you think, he’s had 300 fights, taken a certain amount of half-decent shots per fight and you add that up, it’s a lot of punches to take.

[teddy007]

you're all good blokes don't fall out thats not what this thread should be about surely?

RIP>

like everyone says, top journeyman who came to fight and gave good value, proper mainstay of the sport

Aggree.

[rhino222]

there is enough interest already, i have it confirmed, but just not my place to play cluedo on here with some of you twats, i do not do 'spudly', as you put it.

try pm'ing me, as other people have done, i dont mind saying on there.

he might have family members or someone close who sees this on here, they dont want to find out the mode of death from me do they !!

dick head.

I think family members or close friends would know exactly what happened and would not need to pour over boxing forums to find out!
Obviously there is interest but you have stirred the pot by implying there is something more to it.
Furthermore I do not abuse or insult people on this forum so do not start name calling with me unless you are willing to do it to my face.
By saying I know what happened but can't tell you etc if exactly the Spud of old and by doing that you started the game of cluedo.

I think he was calling me a dick head to be fair.

thank you.

but lets not argue about who is the dick head...

this is about ernie, its a sensitive subject, as i have said, PM me.

[Chris W 1982]

Rip Ernie

Sad loss

Credit to the game.

[Wake up call]

Heard about this last night. A sad loss to the sport. R.I.P

[EddieShredder]

RIP Ernie.

[xXHAMMERXx]

R.I.P top bloke brillent carictor I seen him a few time having a fag before an after having a fight ha there is one word I can say about this man he was one hard man an he will be sadly missed my thoughs go out to his bro an his family..

[princess]

RIP Ernie very sad news x

[alexpaterson]

RIP
Good warrior always give his best

[Rocky Balboa]

RIP Ernie!

God Bless

[CEO_Hoodlem]

RIP

A real fighting man

[Arnie]

R.I.P Ernie

[Spud]

Shocking news - the lad was a brave un!!!

RIP

[hoot]

You will allways be in our thoughts' A sad loss .R.I.P Ernie.

[craigstephen]

Had the pleasure of announcing two of Ernie's fights, the last time only recently, a great guy to talk to in the dressing room and a very sad loss to boxing.

My thoughts and best wishes to Billy and all who were close to him.

God bless, Ernie.