Lightning Lonnie Smith: “My eyes are set on the WBC belt”
 By John J. Raspanti, Doghouse Boxing (Jan 27, 2012) Doghouse Boxing
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By John J. Raspanti, Doghouse Boxing: The
all or nothing style of Lonnie Smith is a throw back to the rough and
tumble days of the 1950’s. The 24-year-old Smith has amassed an
excellent record of 14-2 with 10 KOs. Always aggressive and rarely
taking a step back, Smiths’ boxing pedigree runs deep. His father and
namesake held the WBC junior welterweight title in 1985. His uncle is
former light heavyweight champion Eddie Mustafa Muhammad.
One year ago Terry Lane of Lets Get It On Promotions signed Smith to an exclusive contract.
Lane explained Smith's popularity this way.
"From
his fights last year, the response we have received from fight fans was
exactly what we expected and wanted. He is a fight fans' fighter,” said
Lane.
On
March 3, at the Woodland Senior and Community Center in Woodland,
California Smith faces his biggest challenge. He’s scheduled to meet
junior lightweight contender Vicente “Chente” Escovedo (24-3, 14 KOs) in
a ten round scrap for the NABO junior featherweight title. Smith last
fought six months ago in Nevada.
“My
last fight was in July 2011, Smith said. “But, I never took off from
the gym. There are powers out of my hands that don't allow me to fight
as much as I like.”
Smith is without a formal manager but has a group of friends he trusts.
“No,
I don't have a manager,” he said. “I use the advice from of Team El
Negro Mexicano, my close friends, my coach Skipper Kelp, and my mother
to come up with the best answer for my future.”
In 2007, Smith tasted defeat. The loss hurt but his dedication to the sport grew stronger.
Smith has won his last nine fights.
“The
story behind my TKO loss is probably the reason why I don't have a
manager now. I went into the fight believing that nothing, and no one
could hurt me,” said Smith honestly. “When I did have a manager, I was
away from my family and friends. These people fuel me and encourage me.
That was the problem, so I opted out of the contract. I'm not Pacquaio,
but his story line is what I see in the future. I lost a few early
fights early, but gained dedication to get better.”
The hard hitting Smith is comfortable at 130 pounds but feels he will eventually take on bigger fighters.
“I
will eventually move up. I am a strong, durable guy, and spend hours a
day even when I'm not fighting, to get better,” replied Smith. “I
started at 130, so I need this WBC belt first, and then I will destroy
the next weight class.”
In his first professional fight, Smith acquired the nickname, “El Negro Mexicano.”
“My
name started because, at the time of my first fight I forgot to bring
some ring music,” remembers Smith. “The music was a song we played in
the gym all the time. I got pumped up and knocked the guy out with a
tremendous body shot. The Spanish papers said I fight like I’m Mexican,
but I’m black. I love it!”
When not fighting, Smith likes to write poetry. His poems have become
very popular in the Las Vegas area. He also dabbles in acting.
“My
spoken word poetry is an intricate part of what makes me. It’s like my
personal yoga or anger management,” he said. “I started writing poetry
right after I started boxing in the 7th grade. I am now the host of
"Love Jones Spokenword" here in Las Vegas. I’m blessed to be able to
achieve in two very different genres of poetry and boxing. But, boxing
is my wife, poetry, and acting are just my two young hot mistresses on
the side.”
Smith feels that 2012 will be his year.
“I
believe I am the best in the world in the super featherweight
division,” said Smith. "My eyes are set on the WBC belt and being the
first to knockout Takahiro Ao. I want to thank my promotion company of
Let's Get It On promotions.”
The five fight card is being promoted by Golden Boy Promotions
inconjuntion with Don Chargin Productions, Paco Presents, Jorge Maron
and Lets Get It On Boxing.
To purchase tickets please call Paco's Restaurant (530) 666-3102.
Online: www.pacopresentsboxing.com
Prices are as follows: VIP $70, Floor $50, and Bleachers $40
Recent work from Raspanti:
 Seth Mitchell: “I’m ready to challenge the top heavyweights” John J. Raspanti
John Scully Interview: From ranking contender to championship trainer John J. Raspanti
"The Last Great Prizefight", by Steven Frederick - A Review John J. Raspanti
David Rodriguez: "I thank God I’m alive" - "The blood was squirting out like a sprinkler" John J. Raspanti
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Questions/comments johnboxing1@hotmail.com
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