BOXING: Mature performance from teenager Smith earns a first professional success

St Ives Boxing Academy prospect Jack Smith collected a first professional victory last Saturday night.

The teenage super-flyweight, from Chatteris, made his second outing in the paid ranks a successful one when beating Gary Reeve on points at the Echo Studios in Norwich.

Smith rocked his vastly more experienced opponent with a fierce left-hand in the third of four rounds and again had him in bother late on with a flurry of body shots.

It was a big step in the right direction after an unhappy debut back in April when Smith was beaten by Craig Derbyshire, who weighed in heavy, but has since earned an English title shot.

Trainer and St Ives Boxing Academy supremo, Steve Whitwell, said: “We all know Jack’s debut didn’t go to plan, but the fact he was giving weight to someone who has since won the Midlands Area title, and will fight for the English title in September, shows it wasn’t a disaster.

“Jack doesn’t have the added pressure of an unbeaten record to defend and he showed he learned from the mistakes made during his first outing.

“It was a very mature performance which highlighted why I have always been excited about his future in the pro ranks.”

Smith is likely to be back in the ring in September or October.