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Ring Talk

OLYMPIC TEAM ALTERNATE & REFEREE TERRY SMITH DIES!

1960 COLLEGE CHAMP A WORLD CLASS OFFICIAL

Sacramento, CA- Referee and boxing judge Terrance “Terry” Smith died Wednesday here at the age of 76. Born in the UK, Terry graduated from Sacramento State University where he proved to be the best fighter on the AAU sanctioned team. Terry won the National Collegiate championship in 1960 and ended up on the 1960 Olympic boxing team as an alternate. World heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali and light heavyweight king Bob Foster were part of the eventual team. Turning pro in 1960, had a record of 8-3, 7 KOs.

BOXER BECAME SACRAMENTO DISTRICT ATTORNEY

Went on to Mc George school of law, Terry Smith was a Deputy Sacramento County District Attorney for 35 years. Married to Jonett Smith for more than 50 years, Terry is survived by a son, a daughter and a pair of grandchildren. A professional referee and judge from 1976 to 2004, Terry was most notable locally here in Sacramento for his disqualifying unbeaten hometown lad Tony Lopez against unheralded Ramon Rico.

HAD OVER 75 TITLE FIGHTS

Among many TV appearances, Terry did an HBO fight featuring Michael Moorrer vs. Melvin Foster, this ins addition to refereeing and judging many title fights around the world with the WBC. The cause of death was Alzheimer’s.

TERRY ACCORDING TO PEDRO

As honest as they come, Terry was one of the guys I’d want working my fight. But it when it came to admitting a gaff, Mr. Smith was as stubborn as they come. Still, Terry was always classy and he will be missed.

Pedro Fernandez

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