By Kevin Kincade

In the wake of the Calvin Brock-Timur Ibragimov snooze fest, the search continues for an American heavyweight who can keep the public’s attention for longer than the pre-fight introductions.  While in Memphis for the Jermain Taylor-Winky Wright Middleweight Championship bout, I discovered that “Bad Intentions” wasn’t the only fighter to come of out Little Rock, Arkansas.  There’s also a heavyweight by the name of Terry “Trouble-Maker” Smith, who is 28-1-1 (18ko’s); and that sole loss on his resume was a ten-round decision to none other than “The Boxing Banker” himself,  Calvin Brock, two years ago.  If you’ll remember, Calvin Brock was basically void of publicity until he picked himself off the canvas to decision long time contender Jameel “Big Time” McCline in April of last year. 

Now, Smith is looking to make similar shockwaves by squaring off against McCline on ESPN 2’s Friday Night Fights on July 21st.  While McCline has since lost a decision to Zuri Lawrence since the Brock fight, he is still a quality fighter and good name to notch on your belt; and the “Troublemaker” intends to do just that. 

Boxingscene:  Terry, thank you for taking the time to talk with us.

Terry Smith:  Anytime.

Boxingscene:  What was life like growing up in Little Rock?

Terry Smith:  Well, actually, I was born in Chicago and moved around a lot as a kid.  My father passed when I was young and then one of my sisters passed and we moved around from place to place for a while before I ended up settling in Little Rock, where I went to trade school and found boxing.  I’ve been in Little Rock ever since.  That’s where my family is and that’s where I call home.

Boxingscene:  How did you become involved in boxing?

Terry Smith:  Well, an officer by the name of Craig Hodgins saw me in a street fight where I was outnumbered by five guys and still won; and, instead of taking me in for causing ruckus on the streets, he took me down to the boxing gym.  And, that’s where I got my start. 

Boxingscene:  (chuckling) Is that where you got the nickname, “Troublemaker”?

Terry Smith:  Well, uh, that was just a little nickname.  I never really just started problems or anything like that; but when it all came down to it, I was always in the mix.  So, they just called me a little troublemaker. 

Boxingscene:  I’m sure you’re aware that many people think the heavyweight division is as bad now as it’s ever been.  What are your thoughts on the current situation in boxing’s glamour division?

Terry Smith:  The heavyweight division’s not bad.  It’s just that everybody who has a title isn’t fighting each other.  They need to unify the title and then fight the best guys and not just keep fighting the same old people over and over again; fight everybody.  And then that way a true heavyweight champion will evolve out of all of that.  That’s what needs to happen; they need to defend against the guys who work their way up the latter, like myself, and give them an opportunity to fight for the title and then a true heavyweight champion will emerge from all of that. 

Boxingscene:  When you hear the words, “THE WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION”, what comes to mind?

Terry Smith:  As of right now, I’d say Klitschko, then Lyakhovich.  Those two come to mind right off the bat.  Then you got Hasim Rahman and James Toney; those are the four top right now.  So, I see it like this; just make a tournament.  Everybody fight one another, get a unified title and then those who are lined up in the ranking, let them all battle it out as well.  Just make the fights.

Boxingscene:  If Terry Smith wasn’t a boxer, what would he be doing?

Terry Smith:  If Terry Smith wasn’t a boxer?  Well, my first love was football; I always wanted to be a football player; but since that didn’t pan out for me, I’d probably be somewhere in the nursing field or a doctor, helping out elderly patients and just giving back to the community.

Boxingscene:  Currently, you’ve got an impressive record of 28-1-1 with 18 knockouts.  The only loss on your record was a decision to Calvin Brock.  What are your remembrances of that fight?

Terry Smith:  Well, I know that fight right there, I had a bout three months prior to that.  I hadn’t been I the gym and it was the biggest payday of my life at that point; and it was an opportunity to be put on TV.  So, I was looking at all of that instead of looking at the fact that I wasn’t 100% ready for the fight.  But, even though I wasn’t 100% ready for the fight, I still went into that fight and gave it everything that I had.  I showed that I had guts.  I showed I had a little bit of stamina; not all the stamina I had to offer; but I still went ten rounds with somebody who’s considered to be in the Top 5 right now.  And if I’d been given 3 or 4 weeks to train for that fight, that fight would have been mine.  I feel there would have been a different outcome in that fight if given the opportunity; but Calvin Brock fought a great fight.  He got the win, he was in shape, he didn’t make the wrong decisions; he came prepared.  So, I look at that as a learning experience.  I told myself after that fight that I’d never be put in that situation again where I’m fighting for just the money.  When I got into this sport, I got into it because I love it and I wanted to compete.  So, whenever I get into the ring now, you best believe I’m gonna be 100% and ready to go with anybody.  However many rounds we’re going, I’m gonna be prepared to go that many rounds.  If it ends early, that much better.

Boxingscene:  Calvin Brock didn’t really have anyone’s attention until he got off the canvas to outpoint Jameel McCline last year; and you have got a match coming up with Jameel McCline in Tulsa, Oklahoma on July 21st….and I believe it’s going to be televised, isn’t it?

Terry Smith:  Yes, it will be on ESPN 2’s Friday Night Fights.

Boxingscene:  McCline’s a big guy who’s been around for a while and fought just about everyone; but as big as he is, he rarely fights like a big man.  Do you see yourself forcing the action in this fight to make a big impression?

Terry Smith:  Well, I see myself not doing anything that I haven’t been doing already.  I’m just gonna go out there and fight like I’ve been fighting; but being in the best shape I can be in…I’m trying to get to that point right now.   I’m just going to go out there and be me, not doing anything out of the ordinary; just being me.  Because, talk’s goin’ around that he’s looking over me right now; and that’s good, because when someone’s looking over me and thinking I’m not a threat to them, then that’s when I’m at my best.   So, I’m going out there, being me.  I’m not gonna try and push the issue, doing anything other than what I have been doing; but I’m going to be ready for this fight, though.

Boxingscene:  Your last fight, you fought Dennis McKinney and he weighed about 204 Lbs; a quick and mobile little guy.  McCline is not that fast nor that mobile; and I would think that fighting a smaller guy that’s faster and more mobile than McCline would give you the edge in reaction-time against Jameel.

Terry Smith:  Oh yes.  I feel Dennis McKinney, who had over fifty fights, was a much harder fight than what Jameel’s gonna bring to me.

Boxingscene:  Really?

Terry Smith:  Yeah, because everybody I’ve fought in the past, they say I’ve fought nobody, I’m fighting journeymen and everything like that; but I feel that those are the type of fights that make you what type of fighter you are.  All the fights I went the distance and the couple where I been knocked down and had to get back up, or the Julius Long fight, when I was hit in the ear and my equilibrium was knocked off a little and had to suck it up.  Those fights, they make me.  They let me know where I stand in my boxing career.  And then being in the ring with James Toney sparring, and John Ruiz; all those fights built me up and made me ready for this type of fight right here.  The Calvin Brock fight, it’s setting me up to be on this stage right now.   I don’t have no fear of Jameel McCline.  I’m gonna go in there and fight him just like I fought everybody else.

Boxingscene:  Do you have a prediction for this fight?

Terry Smith:  I’m just gonna let happen what’s gonna happen.  If he comes at me strong, then I’ll weather the storm in the beginning.  If he tries to box on the outside or whatever, then hey, I’m gonna deal with that ‘cause when it’s all said and done and the fat lady goes to sing and the referee raises a hand in victory, it’s gonna be mine.

Boxingscene:  Champ, I know your busy training, so I won’t keep you from it any longer.  Is there anything you want to say to your fans?

Terry Smith:  I would like to thank all of the Memphis area fans, all the Little Rock fans that have been behind me from day one, my family, the John Ruiz camp, the James Toney camp, my camp; and everybody who’s always been behind me 100%.

Boxingscene:  Thank you for you time, Terry.

Terry Smith:  Hey, I appreciate it.

Questions or Comments:  kevin.kincade@citcomm.com