Smith one bout from Beijing by British Boxing Apr 9th 2008

Liverpudlian featherweight, Stephen Smith, is one win away from being the eighth British boxer to qualify for the Beijing Olympics after winning his bout in Athens today. After winning his opening match by a big 16 - 2 margin against Latvian Valentins Morozovs, Smith again turned on the style to win by a decent distance. 57kg Featherweight, Stephen Smith, England/GB won points 19 – 9 v Vasile Sandu, Romania Rd 1 5 - 3 Rd 2 10 - 4 Rd 3 14 - 6 Rd 4 19 - 9 Stephen “Swifty” Smith, Rotunda ABC, Liverpool, proved too swift for Romania's, Vasile Sandu. What on paper looked to be a very close call turned out to be little more than an entertaining spar, as the will o' the wisp, Liverpudlian, knew too much and was far too fast of both thought and action for Sandu. It takes a special talent to perform against an opponent of Sandu's ability, particularly when so much is at stake. Smith completely bemused the talented Romanian with fast right hand leads then got outside Sandu's left lead to land his own left. After forcing the first round, Swifty retreated in the second round, picking punches as the Romanian attempted to take Smith out of his rhythm. By the third round Stephen was reading everything Sandu was attempting to do, almost as if Swifty knew the Romanian's thoughts before he did. A solid left hand to the body by Smith was particularly cute and eye catching. 10 – 4 at the end of the second round meant Sandu was going to have find something out of the ordinary if he was to get back into the contest. Smith's absolute control in the third round meant that wasn't going to happen. Round four was a walk around the winner's enclosure, a victory stroll which was well earned. Steve Smith: “Not there yet, I've been one bout away twice. I'm not going to let anyone take this away from me.” Terry Edwards, GB Head Coach: “Quality performance against a quality opponent” Smith boxes fellow cutie, Alessio di Savino of Italy on Friday, for an Olympic place.

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