Former St. Johnian Ferryman Smith Now Tending to Athletes as Boxing “Cut” Man

 

Jerry Smith, “cut man,” left, renders first aid in 60-second spurts in between rounds.

ST. THOMAS — A big night under the lights for a Virgin Islands boxer also showcased the work of a young St. Johnian who is part of the supporting cast for many aspiring athletes.

Super middleweight professional boxer Julius “the Chef” Jackson defeated Arkansas contender Johnathon Nelson at the Little Creek Resort and Casino in Washington state. It was Jackson’s debut on a popular sports show viewed by millions of sports fans.

It also was also an opportunity to catch a glimpse of Jerry Smith, a former St. John ferry man who worked his way through the University of the Virgin Islands on the decks of commuter boats shuttling between Red Hook and Cruz Bay.

Smith, a humble guy with a warm smile, worked the corner of the squared circle for Jackson as his “cut man”. The “cut man” renders first aid in 60-second spurts in between rounds; taping hands, icing muscles, treating nosebleeds, black eyes and other combat injuries. It was the same role Smith played as part of Jackson’s entourage at Boxing in Paradise 6, held at Mark Marine Center, Antilles School in August 2013.

“I didn’t know anything at all about boxing,” he said, “It was a steep learning curve, but while I was training, they were training me.”

It took about two years for Smith to learn a new aspect of his craft, working first with amateur boxers then working his way up to the professionals represented by 340 Boxing.

There are three ways to become a cut man — as a boxer, as a trainer or as a novice undergoing a lengthy apprenticeship, according to the website Livestrong.com. Smith came into his role as a trainer – a career decision he made shortly after graduating from UVI.

His career choices at the time were promising, but one was less certain than the other, Smith admitted. He could join the staff at Schneider Regional Medical Center or he could become a sports trainer at his alma mater. He decided to try his hand working as a part-time trainer for the V.I. national men’s basketball team in 2006.

From the world of sports, sports medicine opened up for the former ferryman. VI Olympians and others became clients, and Smith returned to UVI as a trainer for the Buccaneers’ men’s basketball team.

Since then the work of keeping local athletes at their physical best has taken Smith around the world, including Beijing, Russia, Mexico and South America. On Nov. 15 he was working the corner as a cut man for Julius Jackson’s brother, middleweight boxer John Jackson in Argentina.

“It’s very exciting because when you’re working the corner you’re right there,” Smith said. “You have to be very observant. You have to plan ahead to provide the fighters with whatever service they need, whether it’s core temperature control or treatment of a cut or bleeding.”