Professional boxer ‘Sniper’ Sam Smith writes a weekly column, exclusive to The Wokingham Paper, all about his life as a prizefighter as he prepares for the biggest test of his career when he enters Ultimate Boxxer II at The O2 on November 2.
I’ve been sparring with all different weights this week, getting a mix of everything in. There’s been plenty of rounds with light-heavyweights, cruiserweights and even welterweights with my teammate, Ryan Martin.
See Sniper’s first column here
It’s good to spar with lighter weights because you know your opponents won’t be as quick as them, so if you can catch them, then you can catch anyone!
Sparring heavier weights, like cruisers, is also good work, because it tests your concentration, as you have to watch out for their big shots, so can’t afford to fall asleep for a single second; if you do, you catch a heavier shot that you really didn’t want to take!
The Ultimate Boxxer competition will be all about concentration, as I know my opponents will empty the tank in every round, so it’ll be extremely high paced and explosive, so I’ve got to be smart and focused.
I’ve been doing my runs at the Ridges every week, which I vary it so it’s always different, so if my coach Tim DeMeyer comes with me then we’ll mix the hill sprints with pad work, so I’ll do 20 hill sprints and each time I get to the top, Tim makes me do 100 punches on the pads.
There’s less focus on technique and more attention to conditioning and sharpness.
If I’m on my own, I can get some funny looks from passers-by! It must look a bit strange seeing some guy sprinting up a hill back and forth for ages!
My uncles Les Stevens and Tom Dunn – both Southern Area champions in the 70’s – used to train there as well, so it’s nice for me to follow in their footsteps and keep the tradition alive. I like that the way they trained is the same way I’m still doing things now.
Obviously, times change and there’s been some advancements in sports equipment since then, which I, of course, use, but I’m old school and I prefer being out in the elements to train and doing things that don’t require a gym.
I have never been a big fan of weight training, I prefer a press up to a bench press any day. Instead of high-tech, state-of-the-art equipment, give me a tractor tyre or the big ropes to train with.
Every morning when I wake up I do my daily prayers, which consists of 50 press-ups, 50 sit-ups and 50 squats.
I’ve felt a bit sore this week after such hard work, so recovery is important – I always have a protein shake within 20 minutes of the session finishing and I have a warm shower when I get home and always stretch before bed.
On top of that, I also have to turn salesman and sell my allocation of tickets to fight fans. It’s definitely important to keep on top of tickets sales, if you don’t sell then you don’t earn. Luckily, the tickets are selling well because it’s a big show in a decent venue.
There’s lot of people buying tickets that have never seen me fight before, so it’d be great if anyone reading this will decide to come too. You can find me on social media or go to Pinewood Starr ABC to get tickets.
See Sniper’s next column first in Thursday’s Wokingham Paper.
Eight professional light heavyweight boxers will clash for a £50,000 prize in a tournament to be crowned the winner of the Ultimate Boxxer II competition, accompanied by live music and entertainment hosted by BBC Radio 1 DJ Charlie Sloth.
