Mike Smith has spent years helping others get in shape.
Whether he was doing it with his kids, players on the George Washington High School high school football team or guys he helps at Joe Hand Boxing Club, Smith is always making sure his charges have what it takes to be better.
“It’s something I always did, I’ve always done training,” said Smith, a 1991 graduate of Washington. “Ron Cohen, I went to Washington, and after I was done with everything, I asked Mr. Cohen if I could train the football team. He said absolutely. I trained the team, Bruce Perry. We had Division I players. Mr. Cohen gave me my first opportunity. Something that I’ll never forget.
“From there, I’ve always trained. Ryan girls basketball team, various other sports teams, Philly Soccer. This is something I’ve always wanted to do. And when I went to Joe Hand’s Gym, I told Mr. Hand it’s the best job. I haven’t worked since I got the job, it’s the best thing in the world.”
When it comes to training, Smith isn’t afraid to put in the work to help others.
Now he’s doing it for himself.
For the past few weeks, Smith, who starred in baseball, football and even played some soccer, is getting himself in the best shape of his life to show everyone that he can still go.
Smith, who has maintained an active lifestyle and spends plenty of time in the weight room, is back in training. He’s preparing to compete in the Smack Fighting Championships on Oct. 25 when he fights at Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino.
“Well, for the first time training in 12 years, I’ve been pushing it,” said Smith, who trains at Joe Hand Gym in Feasterville, which he manages. “My trainer is having me prepared. We are training two hours a day, six days a week.
“From boxing, I’m very confident. Miguel Cartagena is very well-known fighter in the Philly scene. He has me training like a 20-something-year-old. He’s not letting up. He’s treating me like I’m a guy who wants to win. And my sparring partner Malek Korbaj, he’s bareknuckle fighter and former Olympian and he fought in the Pan-Am Games. I have a very good team. So I’m very confident.”
Smith is no rookie when it comes to fighting.
He took second place in kickboxing in the 1992 Keystone Games.
“I was on the Philadelphia Police Boxing team, but due to injuries, I never fought,” said Smith, who was a cop and worked as a prison guard before taking over at the gym. “I had great trainers, and I started working in the state prisons. I broke my hand, had pins, and then I was working with Joe Hand Boxing Club, managing the gym. The first Smack Fighting on Thriller TV streaming live. After seeing it, I thought you know what, I like this, I want to test myself. I signed up.”
Smith knows he’s not going in as the favorite.
He’ll be 53 on fightday.
And it’s a whole new game.
He’s fought, but he’s never competed in this sport. The fights are three rounds, one minute each with a minute break between rounds. All strikes must be delivered with the palm using padded gloves.
He is ready to take on his opponent, Billy Fromal, who is a few decades younger than him.
“I don’t know him, I just know he’s 28,” said Smith, better known as “Smitty” to his friends. “He’s following me on Instagram. I didn’t follow him back. He’s from Delco. I don’t need to know him or nothing like that. How I dig deep, how much self-discipline, my diet is on point, training six days a week. Miguel really has me training. I refuse to lose, I’m not going to embarrass anyone. I’m fighting under his name. I can’t let him down.
“I can’t let my family and friends down. I’m in it to win it. No other way around it. I always say I’m the luckiest man alive with my family. I have four great kids, a great wife, I couldn’t ask for anything better than that.”
It would be impossible for Smith not to do his family proud. They’re already proud.
His family includes wife Colleen, daughters Ireland and Erin, and sons Ryan and Tavin.
Ireland was a three-sport star at Washington who know coaches basketball at Penn State Abington. Erin is boxing at Kutztown, where she goes to school. Ryan isn’t an athlete, but he’s a fantastic cook and has been taking care of dad’s meals during training. Tavin, 14, is at Baldi and plays football.
“I’m very lucky to have them, they’re all very special and supportive,” Smith said. “I’m honored to represent Joe Hand Boxing. It’s been around for 50 years, and it’s a great gym. There are so many great fighters who have trained there, and I love the place. I haven’t worked a day since I got there. I want to represent the gym.”
Smith represents his family and his company perfectly anywhere he goes, and win or lose, all will be proud of him after the fight.
But he has goals, and he’s not coming to lose.
“I’m fighting a guy who is much younger,” Smith said. “There has never been a knockout, that’s my intention. It’s all boxing, but with mitts that are about an inch thick. It’s hard. You’re boxing, but you have to hit with the open hand. You still do jabs, crosses, uppercuts. I just want to challenge myself. But from here, my intention is to get the belt. I want to be the oldest person in combat sports in Pennsylvania to have a belt.
“I’m not doing this just to do it. I want to push myself and I want to get the belt. That’s what this is about.” ••
To get tickets to the fight, message @smittymike2999 on Instagram or at the Joe Hand Boxing Gym, 213 W. Street Road in Feasterville.
