Harper Sercombe
Mason Smith is ‘leaving no stone unturned’ as he attempts to climb the world boxing ranks.
Currently, Smith is ranked as the 102nd best super welterweight boxer in the world and eighth in Australia. In a few weeks time the southpaw is hoping to leapfrog some of those in front of him as he hopes to beat Marcus Heywood in his 12th professional fight.
Coming off a draw in a six round fight against Ankush Hooda in June, Smith is ready to make amends from what he said wasn’t his best performance.
“Mixed emotions, I didn’t really know how to feel, I took it as a loss really,” he said.
“To be honest, I’m not the quickest or fastest guy, and he probably won the first couple of rounds and then I was coming on really strong, but I feel as though I’m a 10, 12 round fighter.
“I’m built for endurance, so it was disappointing, but you learn from it anyway.
“Timing for me is probably the biggest strength, durability and trying to outsmart my opponents as well.
“I do have a bit of power in my shots but I’m probably more of a tactician.”
Like many boxers, Smith’s story is one of resilience and determination, with being knocked out of Commonwealth and Olympic games qualifying tournaments, balancing work commitments with the life of a full time pugilist, being stopped in a bout, and even being stung by a stingray only days before the biggest fight of his career.
Yet, Smith takes this in his stride, and wears it as a badge of honour, preaching the lessons he has learnt on his mission to a world title fight.
“That’s what I’m aiming for, you’ve still got to dream and aim for the highest goal possible,” he said
“I’m at that level now at about 10 fights where it starts to get really serious.
“I’ve been training full-time now for about a year, and just giving it my everything with this window of opportunity I have.
“There’s so many guys from the gym that say ‘I wish I had done this when I was younger’ or ‘gave a bit more effort’… I just wanted to make that commitment, boxing isn’t a sport where you can be one foot in one foot out.
“I’m going to give this a good crack and leave no stone unturned.
“I’ve just stuck with it and stayed really resilient, I just want to prove people wrong and I know myself I can do it.
“A big thing for me is just that resilience to want people to know that it doesn’t matter if things aren’t going well, it’s about how you build back. Just keep moving forward.”
Smith will fight Heywood in a 10 round clash on September 16 at the Melbourne Pavillion.
