Boxing adds up to success for trainee accountant Russell

St Gerards boxer Russell Smith was the club’s lone competitor at Brighton City Boxing Club’s big black-tie evening at the Thistle Hotel.
Russell Smith, in blue, was in winning form for St GerardsRussell Smith, in blue, was in winning form for St Gerards
Russell Smith, in blue, was in winning form for St Gerards

The trainee accountant, 33, is just starting his amateur career in boxing and was having his second contest of the season, weighing in at 72kg against 20-year-old home boxer Adam Balfour, also 72kg.

They were very closely matched having had one contest each. Coaches Gareth Ferguson and Jon Mills had told him to be more aggressive than in his first tussle outing.

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The first round saw a tentative start by both boxers and it took Smith at least a minute to find his range. Then he let loose with a flurry of punches, but Blafour was catching him as well.

In the second Smith concentrated on hitting the upper target and did so very effectively, scoring at ease with Balfour coming back with only the odd punch – and Smith won the round.

Coach Mills said: “We told him to carry on in the same way in the last round, sticking to long straight shots, and he did just that and clearly won this round as well.

“The judges were unanimous in their decision to award Russell a full points victory.”

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Coach Ferguson said: “Russell is perhaps not the type of person you would presume to be a boxer.

“He is very educated and is fluent in Japanese – this just goes to show how versatile our sport is for all.”

If you’s like to sponsor Chichester-based St Gerards, please contact Gerry Lavelle on 01243 251248 or [email protected]

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