Da’Velle Smith

Da’Velle Smith

Middleweight | 6’ 2” | 11-0-8 KO’s

Da’Velle Smith grew up the fourth of 6 brothers in a family with 12 children in Inkster, MI. Da’Velle says, “People ask me all the time how I got into boxing. That’s easy. When you have three older brothers, you better be able to defend yourself, not to mention, eat fast when dinner is served.”

It was Da’Velle’s stepfather who took him to the gym for the first time at age 7 where he met Coach Angel Caraballo. Amazed by his natural athletic ability from the start, the Coach also witnessed Smith’s drive to succeed as he helped the fighter climb the boxing ladder by winning Jr. Olympics and Silver Gloves statewide titles, plus the WBC Big Belt Championship. “I always had the drive,” said Da’Velle. He added, “Never say you can’t do something – you have to always believe in yourself.”

The versatile Smith cannot be pigeon-holed into any single boxing style. He combines a good fight plan worked out with Coach Caraballo with solid in-round adjustments. The undefeated Smith says his goal is to be the undisputed middleweight champion of the world, holding the WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO titles simultaneously.

Likened by Caraballo to Detroit’s legendary Tommy Hearns, Smith met “The Hitman” before his 6/3/23 fight against Kahydlian “K” Woods at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. “Tommy said to me, ‘I hear you’re going to be the next Hitman. You’ve got some big shoes to fill.’” Da’Valle responded, “I’ve got some big feet.” The Hall of Famer was impressed.

Now with fiancé Rayna Hill and a baby boy, Da’Velle told Detroit Brawl he wants to be the best every single day, doing everything he can to get his wins and knockouts, not just for himself, but for his family.

STATS

• Age: 24
• Hometown: Detroit, MI
• WBC Big Belt Champion
• Michigan Jr. Olympics Champion
• Michigan Silver Gloves Champion
• Pro Debut: 9-17-21