Smith Brothers Fighting Academy

09/03/2026

'It’s easier to become a champion today because they basically are giving away belts like candy. Fighters today don’t sacrifice as much as the old-timers. Even before me, in the old Jack Dempsey days, there were guys who trained by chopping down trees. It’s totally different now. Fighters are always trying to find the easy way of doing things but there is no easy way. It’s got to be from the old school, the hard way.'

- Marvelous Marvin Hagler

08/22/2026

Happy 60th Birthday to "Butterbean" Eric Esch, 1990s and 2000s heavyweight, who was born Eric Scott Esch in Atlanta, Georgia in 1966.

Butterbean was also a mixed martial artist and he became a full-fledged celebrity. He was also known as "King of the Four-Rounders," as he was often scheduled to fight no more than four rounds, and he famously began his fighting career in Toughman tournaments.

After a 19-year career, Butterbean retired at 77-10-4 with 57 KO.

08/11/2026

Sugar Ray Leonard learned one of his smartest training secrets from Muhammad Ali: running backwards to build the leg strength needed for moving and counter punching in the ring. We do everything in life going forward so its key to be able to move backwards comfortably so you can counter. Ali showed him that roadwork should mirror actual fighting, so Leonard trained by running backwards and sideways to stay light on his feet and ready under pressure. Those lessons from The Greatest helped shape Leonard into the complete, elusive champion we still talk about today.

08/09/2026