Bradley Smith wants to brighten the mood at St Ives Boxing Academy with a polished performance when he steps back into the ring this Saturday night.

Smith takes on Bosnian rival Anto Nakic at the York Hall in London as he bids to complete a hat-trick of professional wins.

And the 18 year-old lightweight prospect knows victory will provide a timely boost for a gym stung by a serious hand injury to Tyler Goodjohn which cost him an English welterweight title shot this month.

Smith said: “Everyone is gutted for Tyler. He put eight weeks of hard work and his own money into a title fight and I feel sure he would have won it. He was looking brilliant in the gym.

“Hopefully I can get a nice win and pick the spirits up a bit.

“Myself, Tyler and Karl Wheeler (who has a title fight on Saturday week) all train together and get on great.

“We’re all feeling his pain.”

The shoulder problem which forced Smith out of a fight late last year hasn’t re-surfaced.

He has picked up a minor knee injury during some track-work last week, but insists it will not keep him out of the ring.

Smith added: “I tweaked my knee running, but it is fine when I’m in the boxing stance.

“I just can’t wait for Saturday. I’ve seen a couple of clips of Nakic and it looks like he’ll come to have a go.

“I’m happy about that as it will give me plenty of chances to land shots. I’d much rather face him than an English journeyman who just wants to cover up.”

Nakic has lost five of his seven fights, but has never ventured to England before.