Skip to content

Ladner boxer picks up where he left off

Paul Smith has three straight wins since resuming his amateur career
paul smith
Since resuming his amateur boxing career last year, Paul Smith has won all three of his bouts and remains undefeated. The 25-year-old middleweight is working towards representing B.C. at the Nationals.

Paul Smith’s boxing comeback trail is taking him to next month’s provincial championships in Abbotsford.

The Ladner native won a pair of bouts when he was 18 then stepped away from the sport for a variety of reasons, including extensive travelling in South America. Now 25, Smith has resumed his career and he didn’t have to look far to find a familiar face.

His coach Ken McInnis is back operating his Lights Out Boxing Club in Richmond, this time at the impressive 30,000 square-foot Gionco’s Martial Arts Super Centre at the very south end of No. 5 Road that also houses the National MMA Academy. The pair have re-united and Smith has proceeded to win three fights in his middleweight class.

“When I was 18, there was just a lot of things going on and I went away and travelled for a long time,” explained Smith as he took a break from his Monday night training session. “There is less on my mind now so I thought I might as well compete again.

“I’m running in my spare time and taking days off (from working) when I need to. I would like to take this all the way to nationals and that’s what I’m working towards.”

To fight in the open division at provincials, Smith had to have a minimum 10 bouts under his belt. He tried to enter a couple of tournaments to reach the requirements but those boxing shows were eventually cancelled. Instead, the Delta Secondary graduate will compete in the Novice or Sub-Novice class — hoping an impressive showing could open the door for more opportunities. Regardless, McInnis knows he is working with a keen student that is willing to step into the ring at anytime.

“He is always looking to fight, doesn’t miss a session here and is sparring at another gym as well. He is pretty focused and motivated,” McInnis added.

Smith initially signed up for a jujitsu class and even tried MMA. However, he was intrigued with the boxing lessons that were taking place at the same time. He attended a drop-in session and there was no turning back.

“I always had been inspired by watching it on TV. When I saw there was boxing going on at the gym I was at I figured I had to stop in and do this. I knew almost right away it was the sport for me.”

McInnis runs his boxing sessions on Monday and Wednesday nights starting at 7:30 p.m. Call 604-441-5573 for more information.