Buck Smith decided he wanted to fight, had no money, so he started fighting all the time. Getting paid for sparring, he called it. His manager, responding to criticism that Smith was only fighting bums, said that if you won't admit that Buck Smith can fight, then I must be one hell of a manager to keep finding guys he can beat.
He also beat Olympian Robert Wangila, ending his aspirations before David Gonzalez ended Wangila's life. He lost to Brazier, McGirt. By no means a world class fighter he made himself into a credible pro and had a lot more balls and professionalism about his game and the way he conducted his career than a whole roomful of guys that have made a bunch more money.