Smith is crowned Southern champion

FIGHTING farmer Sam Smith has become the region’s second Southern Area champion after he sensationally clinched the Super Middleweight belt in Essex on Saturday night.

- ANDY PHILLIPS

Despite fighting in the away corner at the Brentwood Centre, and facing an unbeaten opponent, Smith showed his mettle with a relentless performance which earned him a points verdict after 10 rounds.

The Launceston man beat James ‘Ozzy’ Osborne on the same card which also featured Plymouth’s Moldovan monster Constantin Ursu – who made it 11 wins on the spin with a straightforward win over Octavian Gratii.

But while Gratii covered up, ducked and weaved out of the way and seemed largely like he only had a reverse gear, Smith’s contest lit up the ‘Diligent’ show.

Smith is the younger brother of Wes Smith, who fought at Plymouth Guildhall during his own unbeaten pro career – last fighting in 2019.

Sam, though, has managed to go another step forward with the capture of the Southern Area crown, which was well earned after he twice caused his opponent to take a standing count.