175lbs prospect, Sam Smith (1-0) was victorious in his pro debut at the weekend, defeating opponent Mark Till (3-18-2) via a points decision on Dec 20th at the Grange Leisure Centre in Swindon.
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The 175lbs four-round contest was scored at 39-37 to the 22-year-old from Surrey known as Sniper, he said:
“It was a hard fight to be honest, he came to win and he was tough.”
Travelling opponent from Stoke-on-Trent, 28-year-old Mark Till has upset the odds before to defeat other debutants during his two year-long professional boxing career. Smith said:
“He’s had over 20 fights and I expected a tough fight so I knew he would always be there. There’s only four rounds so not much time to break him down, I came out a bit slow and didn’t have the best start, probably nerves or the occasion got to me but I was relaxed in the changing rooms, I just stiffened up when I got in there.”
Referee, Jeff Hinds scored the contest at 39-37 to Smith, who admitted:
“The last three rounds I won, I hit him with some lovely shots and he still came back so it was a good learning curve. There’s a few bits to work on but the longer the fight went on, the more it suited me.”
Respected trainer, Paddy Fitzpatrick added:
“When any boxer is making their professional debut it’s about dealing with the new emotions and keeping their composure. Sniper hadn’t boxed in two years leading into his first pro fight and so he had a lot more to deal with than the usual debutant does.”
Paddy also mentioned:
“He was very relaxed in the changing room and on the mitts but during the ring walk, the reality of the situation got to him a bit. He controlled his composure quite well but was tight in the first round with his jab.”
Fitzpatrick concluded:
“Half way through the second, he started to loosen up and find his opponent with jabs and uppercuts, and by the third and fourth, he was bossing every exchange albeit exchanges that his opponent was initiating and came out on top at the end over an extremely aggressive and game man.”
The former three-time national amateur champion from Dunsfold spent an entire year in the gym preparing for his inauguration into the paid ranks.
However, Smith anticipates a busy 2016, stating:
“Few days off over Christmas and the next fight will be in February in Swindon. I’ve got six fights lined up with KM Promotions next year, I should be in a good position if I win them all.”
Sniper hails from Fitzpatrick’s Boxing Gym in Swindon and benefits from the best sparring possible, he explained:
“Paddy has got good contacts with a lot of people so the top sparring will continue into next year. I went down to Wales and sparred Enzo Maccarinelli in preparation for his Roy Jones Jr. fight.”
No doubt 2016 will hold a lot of positive things for ‘The Sniper’.
(Image via Mr. Tim Rickson)
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