FORMER trainer and British boxing legend Colin Smith passed away on May 20. Kevin Lueshing, who fought the likes of Felix Trinidad and Harry Simon across an exciting eight-year career, shared the following post on the Facebook page of his Champs Boxing Club in Spain:
“I’m writing the following with a very heavy heart: I’ve just been told that my former trainer and boxing legend Colin Smith – who represented three weight world champion Duke McKenzie – sadly died on May 20. That’s a picture of us together [see below] during my boxing days and it’s a memory I will treasure for ever.
Colin Smith & Kevin Lueshing (c/o Champs Boxing Club, Facebook)
Colin’s daughter, Tracy Collins Smith, would like to extend an open invitation to anyone from the boxing community who knew her dad to attend a wake at the Queen’s Head in Chislehurst, Kent, from 1pm on June 26.
Just let her know by sending an email to: tracysmith846@gmail.com
Colin was one of the few people in my life who truly made a difference and set me on the right path.
A champion to the end, I know he’d want any donations to be sent to Dementia UK as they wage their own fight against this dreadful curse. Alternatively, well wishers will also be able to leave contributions at the wake.
RIP Colin Smith – 04/10/1941 to 20/05/2024”
Smith was in Kevin Lueshing’s corner when the ‘The Look’ rebounded from a previous stoppage defeat to Chris Saunders, defeating the Barnsley man in a wildly entertaining British welterweight title affair.
“Colin gave me undivided attention, and that’s exactly what I needed,” Lueshing would later explain on the difference in preparation between fights.
Alongside manager Mickey Duff, trainer Colin Smith was instrumental in helping Duke McKenzie become a three-weight world champion and MBE. Duke is well known for following his brothers, Winston, Dudley, and Clinton, into boxing, and it was Smith, whom Duke described as a “really lovely person”, who would train him throughout his hugely successful career.
Everyone at Boxing News would like to express their deepest sympathy and condolences to Colin’s family and friends.