Sam Smith is carrying the family name into a new boxing era as he awaits a pro debut that has always been part of the plan.
He turns over when BCB Promotions stage their first show at the Riviera International Centre, with fight night set for Friday September 2.
The fighting farmer leads a quiet life away from the sport, based on the moorland of Bodmin Moor in north-eastern Cornwall, but the surname should ring a bell.
He’s the younger brother of Wes Smith, who was a professional between 2016 and 2019 before his career was cut short by injury, due to a road accident.
Both are graduates of Launceston Boxing Club, where Sam’s amateur record saw 14 victories from 17 contests, winning an England Development national title at under 20 bouts.
The pro journey will see his amateur coach Des Charnock continue in his corner, with super middleweight the preferred division initially.
Potential title tests may well come in the middleweight ranks, where Bristol’s Aaron Sutton is currently in possession of the Southern area crown at 160lbs.
Smith first laced on a pair of gloves at the age of 10 and is now 28-years-old, so is working hard at the Launceston gym in order to achieve his goals.
He said: “I’ve never been anywhere else, so it’s great that I can keep on training at Launceston and that I still have Des (Charnock) coaching me.
“My brother is always there for advice and support and Wesley is the best boxer that Launceston has ever had. It’s such a shame that he had to retire.
“Without him, I’d have never started boxing and I probably wouldn’t have carried on. It’s in the family and we’ve got another brother, Josh, who used to do a bit with us.
“I’ve been wanting to turn pro for years, but I decided to build up my amateur experience first. I was waiting for the right time and now it’s here.
“I work on our family farm, on the Moor (Bodmin), we all have our own sheep and we support each other. I live on my own, in a caravan, a few miles away (Trewint).
“Boxing is a serious job, too, so I’m dedicated to that like I am with farming. I’m not in it for the money but, coming from a poor industry, it would certainly help if I made some!
“In the ring, I’m a mix of everything, I like to come forward and box on the back-foot. I enjoy being in there and I’m really looking forward to my debut.
“I want to go as far as I can, in boxing, and I’ll be happy with whatever I achieve, as long as I’ve given it my all. It could be a short or long pro career, I just want to make the most of it.”
Tickets for ‘Rumble on the Riviera’ are available now, priced at £40 standard or £75 VIP ringside with buffet, directly from the boxers or by visiting myfighttickets.com.
