by By Dan Ninham, Contributing Writer
Beth Smoke is a member of the Upper River Mohawk Six Nations and is wolf clan. Smoke was born in Brantford, Ontario, but now lives near the Tuscarora Territory in Sanborn, NY. She is in the eighth grade at Edward Town Middle School in the Niagara Wheatfield Central School District in Lewiston, NY.
“I am a boxer ‘unattached’ to any specific boxing club, and train in several clubs in the city of Niagara Falls, NY,” said Beth Smoke. “I also play volleyball for my school.”
Smoke has a USA Amateur boxing record of 5 wins and 0 losses. She is also a first-degree black belt in taekwondo from Master Khechen’s Martial Arts Academy.
Smoke won by walkover at the USA Boxing National Qualifier in Detroit for 2023 in the Female intermediate 176 lbs.+ division. She also won by walkover at the USA Boxing National Junior Olympics in Lubbock, TX for 2023 in the female intermediate 176 lbs.+ division. She won three consecutive matches at the USA Boxing Women’s Championship in Toledo, OH, for the Female Intermediate 176 lbs. division Championship.
Like many indigenous athletes, their indigenous core values help guide them in practice and competition. Smoke shared her thoughts and said, “My Papa is a Native woodcarver and he tells me how to be a warrior. He tells me that I should be proud of my culture. He is Onondaga and turtle clan and my sister, ‘grammie’ and I are wolf clan.”
“Before the USA Boxing Women’s Championship in Toledo, my sister Brooklynn, my best friend Kylie and I smudged ourselves and my boxing equipment before the competition,” said Smoke.
“We participate in ‘Every Child Matters’ by wearing orange shirts to school and ‘Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women’s Movement Awareness’”, said Smoke. “Both issues have directly impacted our family. My papa’s parents both were in those residential schools.”
Smoke is always looking forward to being the best she can be in the ring. “I have been trying to compete in USA Boxing amateur national boxing events because it’s hard to find opponents in my local area,” said Smoke. “I train about 10 hours a week and a couple of sessions with pro fighters. My papa and I talk about boxing and our plans for fighting as we travel back and forth to training.”
William “Billy” Logan is Beth Smoke’s “Papa,” coach and teammate. He’s a USA Boxing certified coach and official.
Logan addressed his familial title being “Papa.” He said, “I am married to her biological grandmother. We have had custody of her and her sister since they were toddlers. I have been her ‘father figure’ since she was one-year-old. Papa is just the name she calls me. She is like my daughter.”
Logan addressed a positive attribute that Smoke brings to the ring in practice and completion. He said, “Beth has great focus in competitive situations. She was told she wasn’t ready by someone who didn’t know her full capabilities. She took the mantra ‘I’m ready’ for the tournament. We reminded her to say it throughout her preparation for the ring. She repeated ‘I’m ready’ while warming up, on deck and as she was introduced.”
“This was her first national boxing event and first fight of the three she would win consecutively for the championship. As a first-degree black belt, she competed in taekwondo tournaments, but not on the national level. I would say her focus is her top positive attribute,” added Logan.
Anthony Lenk is a trainer for Beth Smoke. He talked about using training knowledge to prepare Smoke to compete. He said, “I added boxing tips and tricks to her knowledge of fighting sports. Beth has an amazing ability to retain information. As we trained, I showed her tips and tricks along the way. Telling her something random one time on a Tuesday and watching her use that trick the very next time she sparred was awesome to see.”
“Watching her fight, move, and use combinations was a very proud moment for me. She showed me how much she learned from me,” added Trainer Lenk.
Photo: USA Boxing and Billy Logan
Congratulations to you, wish I could come and watch you. Must be exciting. Keep moving up. Proud of you .