Ramón Smith (born Ramón Eduardo Smith Sánchez on February 5th, 1952) is a renowned Dominican Tae Kwon Do and Full-Contact Karate fighter, and catholic Deacon, who in the 1970's participated in numerous national and international tournaments. He became Sub-champion of the world in the lightweight division at the PKA first world tournament in 1974. His most remarkable victory was as underdog against American legend Howard 'California Flash' Jackson.
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Early life
The first of four children, brother Angel (who also became a professional Tae kwon Do fighter, but gave it up to pursue a career as a computer engineer), and sisters Juana Emilia (Pimpi, now deceased) and Carmen. Ramón was born and brought up in an impoverished 'barrio', Villa Consuelo, in the capital of the Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo. His father was Ramón Eduardo Smith Abramson, a.k.a. Monchín, and his mother, Rosa Fragancia Sánchez. Monchín was a strict, honest man. He was a carpenter and designed furniture. Monchín's character greatly influenced Ramón's personality. His demeanor always reflected his high moral vision and his extreme kindness to people, both friends and strangers alike. Monchín was known for taking food out of his plate to give it to anyone who came asking. This kept certain measure of strain in the household. Ramón, and the rest of the family, would not understand how the scarce money earned could end up in someone else's pockets, when they themselves were in need. However, Ramón would years later comment on the ambiguity of his feelings for said actions. He was offended because of the harsh reality they lived in, but was also proud and in awe of such kindness.
Since the income was so little, Ramón had to work from a very early age. His years as a child and later as an early teen were filled with hunger, need, and poor education. However, Monchín taught him the value of hard-work and rectitude. The economic strains of the Smith family did not prevent the children from attending school, however precariously. As many Dominican families of the barrios, each child had a single pair of shoes, food consisted of a miser amount of white rice, the occasional red beans, and, most of the time, an egg. Ramón's mother washed and ironed clothes for pay to help with the family's expenses. In Ramón's house, his grandmother, Alba, also had a rudimentary business consisting of selling house-made candies. This precariousness, of course, was intrinsic of most low-class families in the city. When Monchín died, in 1971, the economy of the house sank even lower. On light of this, Ramón was morally compelled, still a teenager, to quit school and go out to work. Ramón managed to pay the studies of his brother and sisters and to help support the house for many years.
Martial Arts
In 1968, Ramon Smith was an athletic teenager who enjoyed sports. He practiced Baseball and Boxing. One afternoon, going home from Box practice, he ran into his neighborhood friend Marcos Wilamo. Wilamo told him about Karate, and Ramón, who mocked his friend for thinking someone could beat him with kicks, agreed to join him at the rooftop of his house. Marcos and brother Rafael Wilamo kicked Ramón into the reality of Karate and asked him to join them in Jhoon Rhee's school. Ramón explained that he had no money to pay for the lessons, and the Wilamos, aware of Ramón's potential, spoke to Professor Reyes, who gave the lad a scholarship. The first weeks, Ramón practiced with jeans and a t-shirt. Marcos gave him his first mono pants. Young Ramon Smith entered then The Jhoon Rhee Institute, pioneering founders of the Tae Kwon Do in the Dominican Republic since 1966. There he practiced under Professor José Reyes, and along with César A. Rímoli, one of the founding students of the institute, and with other later Dominican glories such as Norberto Puello, Sócrates Puello, and Víctor Gloder, among others.
In 1969, Ramon's abilities were so outstanding for a white belt that professor Reyes put the word in for him with Master Jhoon Rhee to have him attend the 2nd National Championship. In this event, white belts could not fight, so Reyes confronted him with the yellows. Young Smith conquered the first place for Yellow belts. By the end of 1969, Ramón was the object of an unprecedented occurrence: Master Jhoon Rhee, Father of the Tae Kwon Do in America, awarded him with the Blue Belt, skipping The Green Belt. At that time, he was the only student of the Jhoon Rhee institute to receive such an honor.
The next year, 1970, he won the first place in Combat in the 3rd National Championship in his division, which promoted him to Brown Belt. Also in 1970, The Dominican Team traveled to Washington D.C. where, again, he won first place. Master Rhee gave him his black belt 1st Dan, on the Ring. It was a time for celebration because the team won the tournament as well.
Also in 1970, professor Reyes selected him to 'shadow' (an exhibition fight) with iconic martial artist Bruce Lee. Master Lee visited the Dominican Republic as a guest of Master Jhoon Rhee. The famous movie star made demonstrations of his unmatched dexterity in the capital city, Santo Domingo, as well as in the city of Santiago de los Caballeros and in La Vega, where different martial arts disciplines were being practiced. He did his traditional one-finger push-ups and, at some point, requested of Professor Reyes the fastest fighter he had available in order to make a blocking demonstration. Professor Reyes gave him Ramón Smith. In this 'Shadow', Young Smith managed to kick the idol's face through his defense. Master Lee, surprised, paused the exhibition to congratulate him. He said that no other fighter had kicked his face through his defense before. Ramón was informally invited by Mr.Lee to participate in 'The Big Boss', but Ramón could not make it because he could not speak English. The same reason why he never managed to fulfill Jhoon Rhee's invitation to teach in Washington, DC. Master Rhee even sent him an English course, but Ramón never used it.
In 1971, Ramón won first place in two competitions in Puerto Rico, including the prestigious Black Belt Open.
Between 1971 and 1972, Ramon won every tournament, both national and international, and inter-school competition in which he participated, consecrating himself as the best fighter in the country.
In 1972, an unfortunate event prevented Ramon from attending the Panamerican Games. He had been training Dominican karate practitioner Josefina Pannocchia in her house when a cousin of hers, a puertorican who boasted of tremendous karate skills, showed up. Josefina's mother, tired of her nephew's bragging, told Ramon to give him a lesson. The private combat lasted seconds, and ended with two of the brag's teeth sunk in Ramon's left foot, the guy bleeding profusely on the floor. This occurred a few days before their departure to the Panamerican Games. His left foot was too swollen. The Dominican Team won the games.
In spite of it, Ramón was selected as National Champion in 1972.
In 1973, Ramón traveled again to Puerto Rico to fight then noted 'boricua' fighter Marcelino Torres, national champion of the neighbor country. Ramón defeated Marcelino and returned to participate, on March 3rd, 1973, in the event that brought the Washington national team, comprised by Richard Williams, Allan Winter, James Rhee (Jhoon Rhee's son), Pat Worley (Captain of the team), and Gordon Frank to the Dominican Republic to confront a team constituted also of Sócrates Puello, Víctor Gloder, César Rímoli, and Norberto puello. The Dominican team won the tournament 26 - 22, with victories of Ramón Smith over Richard Williams and Alan Winter; and of Sócrates Puello over Pat Worley and James Rhee. Norberto Puello managed an important draw against Gordon Frank. Master Jhoon Rhee was there to hand the trophy to the winners. All national newspapers dedicated whole pages to the event, historical pictures included.
Also in '73, Ramón fought Miguel Peña, Kempo's number one representative in the country. Mr.Peña had boasted publicly that Ramón and his Tae Kwon Do were no match for himself and the Kempo doctrine. In a memorable event in the 'Palacio de los deportes' (National Sports Palace) a roaring crowd witnessed the opposite. The encounter ended 6-o in favor of Smith and Tae Kwon Do.
In this same year, due to his accomplishments, Ramón was awarded the rank of 'Karate fighter of the year' by the 'Asociación de Cronistas Deportivos'(Sports Commentators association) of the Dominican Republic.
1974 was Ramón's most important year. On August 23rd, the Dominican team defeated 15 - 9 the Puertorican team. According to newspaper articles, Ramón's fights received the greatest ovations from the audience, upon winning over both Marcelino Torres and later, Felix Alamo. Again, the team included some of the most relevant names in Dominican Tae Kwon Do history, such as Marco Wilamo, Norberto and Sócrates Puello, and Víctor Gloder.
By the end of August 1974, Professor Reyes received news from master Rhee: Ramón Smith was being invited to Mike Anderson's PKA first world tournament. The style was new to the Dominican tiger: Full-contact. Something resembling Karate, but with the variant that knock outs were allowed, even encouraged. This, Ramón would later learn, was a lot more physical form of combat. These were real, give all, fights. The event was held two weeks after Ramón Smith was invited. It took place in the Los Angeles Sports Arena on September 14th, 1974. Ramón did not know it then, but he had been invited as a replacement of Mexican Tae Kwon Do fighter José Luis Olivares, who had allegedly strained one of his ankles.
On the night of September 14th, unknown Dominican fighter Ramón Smith surprised all experts, as well as all followers of the Martial Arts world, by defeating then all-favorite Howard 'California Flash' Jackson in the semi-finals of the lightweight division; thus shattering all expectations of an American hegemony of the sport. After his defeat, Howard Jackson and his people disseminated the news that he'd hurt one of his legs sometime before the fight. All American magazines, and later internet portals, made echo of the news. However, several differed in their presentations. Some said Jackson had been injured two weeks before the fight; another one said that it had been months before.
One renowned magazine printed that Ramón Smith had been informed of his fight against Howard Jackson six months before and that he had been watching videos of the American legend. Ramón Smith ascertains that he had never heard of Howard Jackson until the night that he beat him. According to Mr.Smith and the people who accompanied him, Mr.Jackson's alleged condition was never mentioned, or apparent, before the combat or while he was fighting. Lamentably, videos of the fight have never been available.
Mexican fighter Isaías Dueñas, with great strength, drive, and inclinations to brawling, defeated Ramón Smith in the finals, winning the title of Champion of the world in the lightweight division. Videos of this fight can now be found in Youtube.
According to the magazines of the times, Dueñas dominated the first two rounds, winning by TKO in the third. Smith's version has two narrowly battled rounds. By the end of the second Round, when the bell rang, Smith lifted his arms, as both fighters had been instructed to do, and Dueñas thrust a knee to Smith's stomach. A point was subtracted, but the damage had been done. Without air, Ramón could not fight the third round. That night, Howard Jackson could not join Joe Lewis, Bill Wallace and Jeff Smith in the podium.
Most American portals only show pictures of the three American champions. Very scarce information is available on either Isaías Dueñas or Ramón Smith.
Upon his return to the Dominican Republic, Ramón Smith was received as a national glory, having become Sub-champion of the World, although the title was never recognized within the circles of American Karate professionals.
Between 1974 and 1975, in a tournament of eliminations in Puerto Rico, after having beaten all opponents in Karate, Ramón confronted, for the Grand Champion prize, Kung fu master Hui Cambrelen, who in turn had defeated everyone in his own style. Ramón's speed frustrated Cambrelen, which led to his defeat. Master Cambrelen was so impressed that invited him to briefly participate in a documentary dedicated to Bruce Lee. Ramón agreed and some footage of fights and demonstrations, with a yellow kimono with the red, white, and blue Dominican flag on its back, can be seen in the 'Warrior Within' documentary. Master Cambrelen and Ramón remain friends to this day.
In 1975, The Mexican team visited the Dominican Republic. The tournament was publicized as the re-encounter of Isaías Dueñas and Ramón Smith. As it turned out, the audience was disappointed because The Mexican champion of the world alleged 'stomach pains' and refused to fight, serving only as referee. As Ramón mercilessly plummeted Mexican fighter Tovar, he kept calling on to Dueñas to take Tovar's place.
The tournament against Mexico left yet a sadder occurrence: Dominican glory Víctor Gloder died a few days after his fight against Mexican Ramiro Guzmán. It was later determined that he suffered of a heart condition. Ramón Smith and Norberto Puello were in the front to carry his coffin.
That same year, the Minnesota team visited the Dominican Republic again. This time, the Dominicans won 10-7. For the main fight, Ramón Smith was announced to face the experienced Michael Coles. The first round was a draw. Ramón won the next two, and Coles won the following two. The fight, originally accorded to last five rounds, went to round number six, with another draw. Ramón ended up winning round seven to win the encounter.
1976 and '77 became years of transitions for the Dominican tiger. He moved permanently to the USA. He had to find a regular job and establish himself in the city of New York, thus sidelining his career. In'77, along with brother Angel, Ramón opened the Smith Brothers Karate School in Manhattan, NY. Soon, the school made a name for itself, becoming one of the most popular in the New York area.
In this same year, the Smith Brothers traveled to their homeland to make an exhibition as opening to the official debut of the 'Warrior Within' in Dominican theaters.
Some personal bad choices and uncontrollable circumstances forced the Smith Brothers to close the school, but not before winning several local and inter-state competitions that boosted even more their popularity at the end of the 70's and beginning of the 80's.
Life after Karate
In October, 1981, Ramón Smith was hit by a truck while riding a motorcycle. His left leg was crushed. The doctors neglected it and it got gangrene. It had to be amputated, and Ramón has worn a prosthesis ever since.
Due to personal and marital problems, Ramón returned to Santo Domingo for an uncertain period of time until his wife, Jenny Smith, called him and he returned to the USA. It was between 1983 and '84 when, encouraged by Jenny, he discovered the catholic religion, and God. He was so redeemed by his finding of The Lord that to everyone's surprise, he decided to study to become a deacon. After six years, the former Karate star became Deacon Ramón Smith. Of all his accomplishments, he's said, serving God has been the highest.
He preached in Santa Teresa de Avila church in Queens for about thirteen years and worked simultaneously in his business, 'Smith Brothers', a housing maintenance and repair company.
In 2004, He moved with his family to Orlando, Florida, where he currently lives, works and serves God.
In 2006, Ramón Smith and his family attended a ceremony in New York. This event was the effort of several figures of Karate, including Marcos Wilamo, Norberto Puello, and Peña's Karate School. In this event, among many other professionals of the sport, Ramón Smith received a well-deserved recognition. Jhoon Rhee was part of the ceremony and to everyone's surprise, the father of Tae Kwon Do did an astounding feast: he, in his 70's, did a hundred push-ups in a chronographed minute.
"The Official TaeKwonDo Hall of fame"
On October 18th, 2013, at the South Point hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, Ramón Smith was officially inducted in the Official TaeKownDo Hall of fame, presided by Mr. Gerard Robbins. Mr. Smith is the first and only Dominican martial artist to have been inducted by the renowned international organization up to date.
"The Dominican Martial Arts Hall of Fame"
Also in 2013, Master Smith was inducted by the Dominican authorities to The Dominican Martial Arts Hall of Fame, along with other immortals of several disciplines.
Family
Ramón Smith married Juana Inéz Fernández in the early 70's. They had a son in 1973, writer and poet Edgar R. Smith Fernández.
Four years later, in 1977, they had their daughter, Joan Scarlet Smith Fernández.
After his departure to the US., Ramón and Juana got divorced. A couple of years later, Ramón met Jenny. They got married and had Jennepher Smith in 1981, then Enmanuel Smith in 1986.
Ramón has two sons, two daughters, two granddaughters, five grandsons and one great-granddaughter.
Ramón Smith's life is being written in a 'Biographical novel'.