Harper Sercombe
Mason Smith has continued his climb up the world rankings.
The Werribee-based boxer defeated Marcus Heywood last weekend to claim the World Boxing Association Oceania East-West interim title.
Smith won by unanimous decision and once again proved he is the real deal on the Australian boxing scene.
However, this is not enough for Smith whose sights are firmly set on the world rankings.
“I’m really thrilled, excited,” he said. “Now, I guess the opportunities are going to present themselves, with potential world ranking fights coming up.”
Saturday’s bout was not easy for the 28-year-old, injuring his dominant left hand and calf in the process.
“I’ve previously broken it (left hand), it’s not swollen or anything anymore, but it’s just a bit sore,” he said.
“During the fight the adrenaline is crazy, so every time you use it, you still feel it but it’s not painful.
“I ended up going through with it, but my opponent kept leaving an opening for me to throw my left hand and I couldn’t not take the opportunity, so I kept using it.
“Then in about the fourth round I felt a pinch in my left calf, I thought I tore it badly, I was really struggling… but then in the sixth round it just came good, I got a second wind.
“So two things came up throughout the fight but we stuck to the game plan and we’re still able to manage and get the win.
Now, Smith narrows his focus on WBA Oceania super welterweight belt holder, Benjamin Hussain, who won the belt recently by beating Koen Mazoudia by split decision.
At this stage the fight is scheduled for early December, with a WBA top 15 rank on the line as well as the unification of the belt.
“I’m pretty happy and stoked with it, but it’s about 10 weeks away now,” Smith said.
“So I just want to get the body right over the next week or two… and then just sit down again with my coaches and put a plan in place for an eight week preparation for December.
“It’s a huge opportunity, I left work a year ago [to pursue boxing full time] and now I’m starting to see the fruits of my labour.
“The hard work is starting to pay off and I’m getting a little bit of recognition within boxing and within the community as well.”
While it would be nice to be a top 15 ranked super welterweight pugilist, it is nowhere near the end game for Smith.
“It’s just another step to a world title,” he said.
“After this fight, who knows, there might be other international belts on the line, against higher ranked guys for other belts in other regions.
“It’s just another step in the right direction towards a world title.
“I don’t get hung up on the big goals, I’m big on the small steps in order to get there first.”
