Bradley Smith fears his promising career has come to a standstill.

The Hunts Post: Bradley Smith celebrates his International Challenge title success in 2016.Bradley Smith celebrates his International Challenge title success in 2016. (Image: Archant)

The unbeaten St Ives lightweight star has become frustrated after seeing three fights fall through in recent weeks.

An October 13 date against journeyman Fonz Alexander in London is the latest bout to be scrapped and it has left the 21 year-old giving serious thought to his future in the sport again.

Smith has won all eight professional fights since his 2015 debut but briefly retired last year due to serious health issues with anxiety which are thankfully now cured.

He returned to the ring with a smooth points success against Slovakian veteran Ivan Godor in March, but does not now expect to be in action again in 2018.

“It’s really irritating seeing fights fall through,” Smith told the Hunts Post this week. “I’m caught up in politics and it feels like I’m not going anywhere.

“I’m back working for my dad’s roofing business at the minute until a good option comes up.

“I’m fit and ready because I’ve basically done the training camps this year but not had the fights at the end of them.

“It’s really tough to get motivated for six-round bouts anyway, but it is even tougher when they don’t even happen.

“I wanted this year to be one in which my career really kicked on, but sadly that hasn’t happened.

“Things haven’t worked out at all and I don’t expect to fight again this year unless something miraculous comes up.”

Smith, who is trained by Barry Smith at West Ham Boxing Club in London and managed by Stephen Goodwin, won the International Challenge lightweight title belt back in 2006 by stopping Czech fighter Richard Walter.

And has made it clear that he wants to be matched against higher-grade opponents to take the next step up the ladder and challenge for more belts.

“I’ve spoken to my manager and he knows how I feel,” added Smith. “He also manages the current Southern Area lightweight champion and it’s people like that I want to fight.

“My pro career got off to a flyer but it hasn’t really gone anywhere in the last two years.

“I massively believe I can win titles and everyone around me knows I can do it, but I need the right fights and the right opportunities.

“They’re just not there at the minute and I’ve got to seriously think about whether boxing is going to be worth it long-term.”