Smart 'went to war' in latest pro boxing victory on home ground
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ELGIN’S own professional boxer lived up to his ringwalk anthem Shoot to Thrill with a pulsating victory in his homecoming show.
Now super-lightweight Andrew Smart is targeting a Scottish title fight in Moray to follow up his impressive home debut.
Lightweight Andrew Smart strode out to the AC/DC classic amid huge cheers from a 300-strong home support inside Elgin Town Hall as top of the bill last Friday.
He proceeded to “go to war” on more experienced English opponent Dean Jones, who took him the full six rounds before the judges’ verdict in Smart’s favour nearly took the roof off the hall.
With a perfect record of three victories in his fledgling pro career, the 25-year-old is still on a high after the biggest night of his career.
“It was hard to put into words, just everything I thought it would be and more,” he said.
“That was definitely my proudest night and the crowd was just insane. The place just went wild.”
Smart earned a 58-56 decision from the judges, and is aiming for fight number four in Aberdeen on November 6, hosted by his Northern Sporting Club.
Such was the reaction in Elgin next week, the club will try to bring two more shows to town next year along with other fight nights in Aberdeen, Inverness and Dunfermline.
“My manager thinks he will have eight or nine shows next year and we could be back in the town hall in March. I think I would be hoping for five fights next year and a definite move up to eight rounds by this time next year.
“David (manager McAllister) says his main aim is to give me a title fight in Elgin.
“That would be something special.
“Only I can mess that up so I’ve got to make sure I keep doing what I’m doing.”
Euphoria at topping the bill in an Elgin professional boxing show almost got the better of home hero Smart.
The former Elgin ABC fighter won on points against English rival Jones, who he admired for standing up to some of his best punches.
Yet Smart admitted the noise of the home crowd briefly claimed his focus in the closing rounds of a sensational six-round bout.
“They kept me going through the fight but it maybe got the better of me in the last couple of rounds when I got a bit too involved and stood and tried to fight with the guy,” he said.
“He hit me with a couple of good shots which never hurt me but made me think a bit.
“We just went to war.
“In the first four rounds I was clearly on top. I was hurting him and how he stayed up, because I was absolutely nailing him with my body shots.
“My left hook to the body is my favourite punch and I was landing that and I have no idea how he was standing, but he was. I felt really strong and fit throughout the whole fight and in control.”
It was Jones’ 17th pro fight, compared to Smart’s third. “He was definitely no slouch, and a step up in class for me. He’s far better than his record suggests.
“Once I got the decision the crowd hung about for a wee interview I had in the ring.
“I jumped up on the ropes and they went wild again.”
