BoxRec

sad news.

a work colleague of mine suffered the same end last week!!

:(

Absolutely devastated about it, I've known Billy since 1997-98, we lived together for 34 months until 2000, and would always joke about them times we had when ever we saw each other on the circuit, he was a absolute gentleman, quiet & polite and never moaned about anything, in or out the ring, a thorough professional. I know he never got over losing his twin brother Ernie and had numerous conversations about it with him over the years. Absolutely gutted for his family. I hope he's finally at peace. RIP Bill x

What a tragedy for the family...... It must be devastating for them. Did either twin have kids?

I echo what everyone has been saying....a real gent, never moaned, true professional and he will be very sadly missed. Very capable and knew his trade well. Gutted.

Really had time for Billy. Devastating. So sad. Him and Ernie. Can't say enough good about either of them. Jesus.

Some great tales involving those two. A sad, tragic loss to their families and to boxing. Shocking. May they both rest in peace.

R.I.P

I knew billy quite well from boxing on many of the same shows. I'm bloody upset with that. What a lovely bloke. Tough as old boots.rip buddy.

bloody hell i cant believe it,he was a lovely lad as i met him in barnet horse fair a few years ago,such a tragic loss,god bless billy

johnnygreaves wrote:I knew billy quite well from boxing on many of the same shows. I'm bloody upset with that. What a lovely bloke. Tough as old boots.rip buddy.

Gutted also.true gent.

So so sad. Gutted. RIP Xxx

This is truly tragic news, there are not many people in the world of British Boxing that sometime did not come across Billy & his brother as we know they went everywhere & saved many shows from collapse. Like other posts have said they both came over as nice blokes. British Boxing is at a terrible loss, my thoughts & prayers are with his family & loved ones at this very sad time.

True gent god bless his soul sad sad story

Absolutely gutted to hear the sad news today. I MC'd Billy a few times including in his last bout at Doncaster a couple of weeks ago. He was always a total gentleman who made a point of thanking me for his introduction after the fight. One night does stand out, late last year on a Dennis Hobson show in Sheffield, it was Billy's 150th pro contest, so I got him a massive round of applause both on his way to the ring and on his way out of it. He was so grateful afterwards, and that was just how he was, a nice, humble man.

RIP Billy Smith, you'll be sorely missed.

i didn't know billy or his brother but saw them both fight a few times its one of the most tragic storys ever so sad rip

reggaereggae wrote:What was Billy's best win / best fight?

Couldn't say if it was his best but in September 2006 Billy made the long trip up to Inverurie in Aberdeenshire to fight Top of the Bill against local boxer Mike Reid, an up and coming young pro.

It was a dinner show, the place was rammed and everyone was there to support Mike Reid. Mike was technically the better boxer, but after Billy had landed a few bombs Mike got involved in a tear up which was right up Billy's street. It was over 8 rounds and what a scrap it was, Reid got cut, can't remember if Billy did too, but after a toe to toe battle, Billy won the fight 78-76. Mike is in Oz now but we still keep in touch, he posted a nice tribute to Billy on his Facebook today

Billy was back in Scotland twice more that month, lost one and won the other.

I saw quite a lot of Billy and will really miss him, definitely one of the good guys.

craigstephen wrote:

reggaereggae wrote:What was Billy's best win / best fight?

Couldn't say if it was his best but in September 2006 Billy made the long trip up to Inverurie in Aberdeenshire to fight Top of the Bill against local boxer Mike Reid, an up and coming young pro.

It was a dinner show, the place was rammed and everyone was there to support Mike Reid. Mike was technically the better boxer, but after Billy had landed a few bombs Mike got involved in a tear up which was right up Billy's street. It was over 8 rounds and what a scrap it was, Reid got cut, can't remember if Billy did too, but after a toe to toe battle, Billy won the fight 78-76. Mike is in Oz now but we still keep in touch, he posted a nice tribute to Billy on his Facebook today

Billy was back in Scotland twice more that month, lost one and won the other.

I saw quite a lot of Billy and will really miss him, definitely one of the good guys.

Billy Was A Pleasure To Referee Always Had A Smile When You Checked Him Over Before Bout.Always Gave A Good Account And Knew How To Look After Himself. I Will Miss Seeing Him.R.I.P Billy.

Very sad indeed. Even sadder these two great servants to the pro game couldn't been helped by the sport they helped so much. Sorry but these are my feelings
Rip smith twins x

Got told yesterday that bill was on the same amount of bouts and same amount of wins as his brother.

RIP Billy, God Bless.

RIP

RIP, sad news

I notice he was on 161 fights which is the same number Ernie Smith was on when has passed away.

Very sad news. Always a popular figures on the british scene and was a good value performer.

160 fights... an achievement Billy can be very proud of.

jonp wrote:Got told yesterday that bill was on the same amount of bouts and same amount of wins as his brother.

You're right Jon.

Billy was 13-145-2
Ernie was 13-142-5

Very strange!

I'm very sad because two brothers are example for me ... What can be the causes of this tragedy ??? They were always respeted for their contribution at pro boxing in England and they lives throught boxing, no ? Had they complicated private life ?

In the UK suicide is a massive problem, especially among young men.