The big fight is almost upon Elgin boxer Andrew Smart who takes on Edinburgh rival Robbie Graham for the Scottish professional welterweight title at Ardoe House Hotel in Aberdeen
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ANDREW Smart is ready to make up for lost time in his quest to become the Scottish professional welterweight boxing champion.
The product of Elgin Amateur Boxing Club takes on Edinburgh rival Robbie Graham at Aberdeen’s Ardoe House Hotel tomorrow in the final of a Last Man Standing contest which was elevated to Scottish title status last year.
Smart was due to fight Graham at Elgin Town Hall in December on the same bill as fellow Moray pro Fraser Wilkinson, who won the Scottish light welterweight crown that evening.
The possibility of an Elgin title double was stopped in devastating circumstances for Smart when his bout was cancelled due to a medical technicality, which has remained a frustration for the 29-year-old to this day.
“That show in Elgin would have been the peak, nothing would ever have been bigger for the town,” Smart said.
“Even if Fraser and I fight for bigger titles on the same card it still won’t be as good as it would have been for us both going for Scottish titles in Elgin. I’ve just got to accept that and move on.
“I’ve got this opportunity in front of me now. To win the Scottish title would be the crowning moment of 15 years in boxing for me.”
Smart moved up from super lightweight to welterweight to take part in the competition which has now given him the chance to fulfil his title dream.
Back in December, the boxer shrugged off the agony of missing out on a Moray double header to help out in club-mate Wilkinson’s corner and watch him triumph, to the delight of a home crowd.
Smart will have an army of supporters cheering him on in Aberdeen when he looks to emulate ‘Wilko’s achievement.
“Fraser winning will absolutely make me all the more determined to bring another title to Elgin. I was in his corner when he won and I was absolutely delighted for him.
“Now it’s my turn.”
Smart expects to be bringing the belt home having watched his opponent’s last two fights.
The Edinburgh boxer has a perfect record in four professional bouts while Smart is six out of six so far and determined to add a seventh.
“I went down to watch his semi-final in the last man standing tournament and after seeing that I was very happy that I am fighting him.
“He also had a fight in between against one of my stable mates from Aberdeen and he won but I was quite happy with what I saw. “
Such is Smart’s confidence, he is already eyeing future opportunities for British or Commonwealth title fights or could even try for a Scottish title at his former light welterweight.
