Northern Sporting Club boxer Andrew Smart stays in shape during lockdown with hometown Elgin fight and possible Scottish title shot on the horizon
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A SCOTTISH title fight is the dream for Elgin boxer Andrew Smart, despite the Covid-19 lockdown denying him a fourth professional bout.
Lightweight Smart (26), a product of Elgin Amateur Boxing Club who turned pro with the Aberdeen-based Northern Sporting Club two years ago, hopes to be back in the ring in September.
He won his first three professional fights including a memorable success in his hometown Elgin Town Hall last September, where he was due to return for another show last month.
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“We were two weeks out from the fight and my manager and I had made the decision to postpone the show before we were ordered to,” he said. “We pulled out on the Friday and by the time the Tuesday came around the British Boxing Board of Control had ordered all shows to be cancelled anyway.
“That was a bit disappointing but obviously it was out of everyone’s control.”
Smart and his team had planned to follow up the Elgin fight with another at Aberdeen’s Beach Ballroom in June, followed by a return to both venues in September and November.
He hopes he will still be able to fulfil both dates later this year.
“It was going to be a good opponent as well [in March]. The guy I was meant to fight had recently fought and beat another Scottish guy but I wasn’t going to let that happen again.
“We still have the date for September in Elgin and because of the whole lockdown thing I think it’s going to be even bigger and better.
“It will be worth the wait.
Smart won his debut pro fight against Lithuanian Simas Volosinas in November 2018, the defeated Glaswegian Gary McGuire the following May. His biggest thrill was topping the bill at last September’s home show, the first professional fight night in Elgin for many years, and keeping up his winning run with another points victory over Telford fighter Dean Jones.
That was his first fight over six rounds and his plans to step up to eight-round bouts later this year have been put on hold by the enforced break.
He could also have been looking at a shot at the Scottish title if he had been able to continue his winning run.
“That might still be possible but not until May, probably,” he said.
In the meantime, Smart is continuing his work at Sheriffmill garage, hitting the roads for training and doing up his garden.
Key to his plans is building a garden shed, where he will hang a punchbag to aid his training.
