Last week, the WBC announced the passing of former light heavyweight contender Kosie “KO” Smith of South Africa. Smith was one of his country's most beloved boxers during a career that stretched from 1968-1979. He was a three-time South African national light heavyweight champion and fought for the WBA championship against Victor Galindez, losing a fifteen-round decision in 1976. His final record was 31-19-1. His full name was Johannes Jacobus Adriaan Smith. Boxingtalk joins the WBC and president Mauricio Sulaiman in sending its sympathies to the friends and family of Kosie Smith.