Bradley Smith, the promising young Shrewsbury boxer, has been tipped to make an impact in the Golden Gloves Championship by Colin Hough, the veteran Shrewsbury & Severnside ABC trainer.
Smith, a 14-year-old from Copthorne, will begin his quest for national glory in the Midlands qualifiers at Coventry’s Triumph Club next month.
And Hough believes the county town club’s young prospect has the potential to keep heading in the right direction.
“I’m not one for making predictions but if Jack carries on doing what he has been then he could go a long way in the Golden Gloves,” said Hough.
Smith, who recently made his Midland Counties debut, underlined his potential with an impressive points victory over Lye ABC’s Ross Warby in Birmingham in his last contest, producing a display Hough rated as the teenager’s best so far.
“Bradley’s had about 22 contests and this was his hardest without a doubt,” stressed Hough. “It was a hell of a contest with non-stop action. This will stand Bradley in good stead.”
Hough’s travels in the last week also took him to Walsall Football Club’s Banks’s Stadium where 17-year-old light heavyweight Jack Jones, from Ellesmere, was unfortunate to see a tight majority decision go the way of his opponent Nathan Burke, of Wednesbury ABC.
“It was a cracking contest and the referee congratulated both boxers,” added Hough.
“Jack’s improved out of all recognition but we’re going to be losing him as he joins the Army on January 7. He will be a big loss to the club as he’s a popular lad.”