ANDYRUIZ JR'S ex-opposit Maurenzo "Tuffy" Smith was shot to death in Houston.
The father of two at 44 years old, who was a long-time boxer, has received many tributes.
Maurenzo 'Tuffy' Smith won 29 out of 46 professional bouts
Andy Ruiz Jr. fought Smith in 2013.
Smith was shot to death by an unknown 61-year old assailant. He later shot himself in his head and is unlikely to survive.
The ex-fighter met his killer at a seafood restaurant, where he was accompanied by an alleged girlfriend who wanted to discuss divorce proceedings.
According to reports, the two men spoke for about 20 minutes before the situation escalated and the suspect left the restaurant.
Smith was shot several times by Smith's retaliation, but he did not shoot his wife or the other restaurant patrons.
Smith had four children after the death of his wife, two years earlier.
As a professional, he had 46 fights with 29 wins, 4 draws, and 13 defeats to boxers such as Ruiz Jr., Shannon Briggs and Charles Martin.
Smith fought Jose Elias Pacheco last January in Colombia and Smith was scheduled to fight him again next week.
Many tributes have been paid to the fighter, with one friend posting on Twitter: "Rest In Peace Lorenzo (Tuffy), Smith, a great champion and even more Coach and friend. I'll miss you homie."
Saraa Abdullah Smith, his daughter, said that her father was always striving to improve.
"Whether it was leadership, working out, or simply becoming a better father or man.
Smith was described by his relatives as a "very loving and kind guy", with Cherice Westpiere, Smith's sister, describing him as a Houston-born celebrity boxer.
Westpiere revealed that she had lost her mother and brother within a span of two years.
