STEPHEN SMITH is the proud new owner of the British featherweight title – and a temporary speech impediment.
The 24-year-old dethroned a defiant John Simpson over 12 barnstorming rounds at The Olympia on Wednesday night to lift the Lonsdale Belt.
Following a blistering opening, ‘Swifty’ was forced to match the resolve of the champion in the thick of the fight as Simpson caught him with some meaty shots.
But Smith showed heart and desire to recover and proved too strong in the championship rounds to rip the famous strap from the Scot’s grasp in only his 12th paid outing.
The former Rotunda ABC student and his promoter Frank Warren – ringside for the fight – are now planning a voluntary defence of the title this summer, potentially in the city, but Smith says his immediate concern is getting his tongue healed.
Shipping a final round uppercut saw Smith bite his tongue and now means his speech is unclear and he is struggling to eat.
“I’m a bit sore and have a few bumps and bruises,” said the new domestic ruler at 9st.
“I bit my tongue in the 12th round when he hit me with an uppercut and the cuts are doing my head in.
“I can’t eat properly, all I want to do is eat but I’m still around 9st 6lbs and I’ve got a bit of a lisp.
“I was made up to see Frank there. He usually does not travel to away bills but for him to be there, be in the changing rooms with me beforehand and then to walk with me into the ring was a real boost.
“He has been on the phone already and we’re planning for a voluntary defence this summer. I will get a list of the top 10 from the British Board and choose who I want to fight. I’ve just been through 24 really hard rounds so will want to fight someone against who I can show my ability. I won’t be picking a bum though.”
Even if Smith picked the best of the rest for his maiden defence he is unlikely to encounter someone quite as tough as Simpson.
The Scot was upset with a second consecutive defeat at the hands of Smith following September’s Commonwealth title fight, but the Liverpool man says the manner of his win this time was far more obvious.
Despite the protestations from Simpson, Smith’s admiration for his rival remains and says the explosive way in which he started the fight – and came close to halting the contest in the opening round – meant he earned the Scot’s respect too. “I watched the fight back when I got home on Wednesday night and thought I won it much more clearly than last time,” Smith said.
“I don’t know what the complaints are about from Simpson. I started really well and almost had him out after a right hand landed. After watching it back I remembered when a couple of left hooks flew past his head, if they had landed I think he would have gone. But he definitely came back into it well.
“He hurt me to the body in the middle rounds and it didn’t help that I felt a little bit bloated when I went in there.
“After a body shot in the fifth I went back to the corner and felt like trying to spew up in the bucket, just to get rid of that bloated feeling.
“Simpson caught me with a good shot in the eighth but I weathered it for a minute or so and got my head together. I think that burst left him gassed and I came back to get some respect near the end of the round.
“I just did what I have been told to do when in those sort of situations; keep my chin down and smother his work. The biggest concern at that point is him accumulating shots. I’m not too proud to admit he did hurt me but I had one of my best rounds in the ninth which shows you a lot.
“I never went out to stop him in a round but wanted to go out in the first and get his respect.There were a number of times on Wednesday night I just had to bite down and fight with him. I think I got his respect.”
