The photos on the walls of Dave Smith’s office are the first signs that he has lived an interesting life.
Some show the Naperville chiropractor with famous fighters like Muhammad Ali. Others are signed by martial arts champions whom Smith has treated over the years.
Then there are the certificates showing his medical credentials and other accomplishments, including his membership in the American Karate Association Hall of Fame. On a shelf sits a box of Beaties signed by former UFC champion Tito Ortiz.
Smith, 65, who has been a chiropractor for 39 years, grew up in Detroit as a self-described sickly kid with a stutter. Martial arts changed that.
“I was lucky enough to get into martial arts when I was 9 or 10 years old,” he said. “There was a judo and martial arts school down the street. I couldn’t afford the $10 a month for admission, so I offered to clean the karate school twice a week to be able to slide in.”
Smith said his stutter disappeared after he learned karate and that a visit to a chiropractor a few years later gave him his life’s purpose. The chiropractor treated Smith for a karate injury and also determined he had a milk allergy.
“You never forget to look back on how you were as a kid, and sometimes a few inspiring words from somebody who you think is in a position of authority can really help shape you,” Smith said. “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
Smith has spent decades giving to others. After competing in boxing and martial arts and teaching them as well, he has refereed both for more than 30 years.
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At the professional level, Smith has officiated UFC, Strikeforce and Bellator world championship bouts. He has also refereed Golden Gloves and other amateur boxing tournaments, for which he doesn’t get paid.
“I got into refereeing because I saw a lot of guys that would get hurt unnecessarily and sometimes guys that were officiating that didn’t have fighters’ best interests in mind,” Smith said. “So it became my mission to save guys from their own courage because a lot of times coaches will push kids beyond what their limits are, and you have to be the voice of reason.”
Smith, who said he once popped a fighter’s dislocated shoulder back into place during a bout he was officiating, also is a voice of encouragement to competitors, especially at the amateur level.
“In the inner-city boxing gyms, a lot of these kids come from broken homes,” Smith said. “These kids want to become tougher guys, but in the process, they become better people.
“Trying to pull these kids up, that’s the really important thing. Some of these kids just need some encouragement and direction.”
Augustin Wampfler and Maurice Hunt got exactly that during the Battle of Bolingbrook on July 23. Wampfler, 19, won a split decision over Hunt, 24, in the 165-pound bout between past Golden Gloves champions.
Both have a long history with Smith.
“Dr. Dave refereed my very first fight in December 2023,” Wampfler said. “He’s got a special place in my heart. I really like him. He always brings a great atmosphere. He’s a really likable guy, nice to everyone.”
Wampfler noted Smith is good at officiating too.
“I’ve never seen him make bad calls,” Wampfler said. “He’s not going to stop prematurely. Some referees say, ‘You got hit. I’ve got to stop you.’ And then you lose a fight for nothing.
“He doesn’t stop it early, and he doesn’t stop it late. He’s making sure we’re all staying safe in there, but he’s also letting us fight.”
Smith makes a point of offering advice and comfort to both sides. Hunt, whose loss to Wampfler was the first of his career after a 6-0 start, appreciates that.
“He’s an amazing individual,” Hunt said. “All the times he has been the ref of my fights, this guy just lights up the ring, motivates me to get through this.
“I feel more encouraged when he’s the official at my fight. It just pushes me to a whole other level.”
It’s not only fighters who are pushed by Smith. For more than 20 years, he has offered a free one-hour stretching class on Tuesday nights at Sharkey’s Karate Studio in Naperville.
Many of his patients attend, but it’s open to anyone.
Janet Sullivan, a fifth-degree black belt in taekwondo who teaches that sport at Yong in USA Martial Arts in Glen Ellyn, was one of Smith’s patients even before suffering a torn ACL 12 years ago.
“Dr. Dave was the one who helped me learn to kick again and land on my left leg,” Sullivan said. “He was instrumental in getting me back on the mat.
“I tell my students that if you need to do any kind of rehab, find someone that knows your sport.”
Sullivan has attended the class, which focuses on back flexibility and prevention of spine injuries, at Sharkey’s for 11 years. She said Smith often stays after class to give people one-on-one help.
“We would work out after class when he was showing me how to kick again, hold targets for me and make sure I was pivoting right so I didn’t reinjure my knee,” Sullivan said. “He’ll show you stretches and give you adjustments if you really need a hold-me-over until your next appointment.”
Such generosity has made Smith a popular guy.
“When we had summer camp here, there was a long line of kids waiting to talk to him,” Sullivan said. “I did line control for that.”
Some of those kids have gone on to big things. Mary Treacy, who owns Eagle Academy of Martial Arts, took her son, Brian Jansa, to Smith for treatment for a karate injury.
Jansa, who graduated from Waubonsie Valley, is a stuntman who worked on the new “Superman” movie and the upcoming reboot of “The Naked Gun” starring Liam Neeson.
Several of Smith’s former students are stuntmen and invited him to appear on the Netflix show “Cobra Kai” starring Ralph Macchio, William Zabka and Martin Kove. Smith was the referee in several episodes of the show’s fourth season.
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Four decades after dedicating himself to a life of service, Smith’s enthusiasm for his work and amateur sports is as strong as ever.
“All sports teach kids discipline,” Smith said. “They all have a spirit and an optimism that I think we lose as older adults. We still have that in ourselves. It’s definitely inspirational.”
For all the praise Smith receives, he considers himself privileged to do what he does, and he has no intention of stopping anytime soon.
“Not until someone gives me the eight count,” Smith said, “and they look me in the eyes and tell me I can’t continue.”
Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter.