By James Bovington
Horsforth Muay Thai fighter Fergus Smith’s stunning first round victory on the Friday evening ONE championship show at Bangkok’s Lumpini Stadium has established him as a major contender for future world championship competition.
Smith executed a crushing first round knockout of Yemeni fighter Zahran Al-Wesabi who, at 24, is teenage Smith’s senior by five years.
Smith launched an immediate and relentless onslaught knocking his opponent to the canvas twice within 80 seconds.
Interviewed while still in the ring, Smith said: “The hype surrounding me is real. I steamed right through my opponent, the man who’d boasted at the weigh-in that he’d knock me out. My dreams are starting to be fulfilled. I want to fight here again and will face anyone at my weight 118 pounds.”
Former Horsforth School student Smith won the coveted invitation to appear on the ONE fight card following his win on the UK Road to ONE, a four-fighter tournament hosted by the Hitman Fight League.
Fergus defeated his former GB teammate Louis Fairhurst on points before going on to beat fellow national squad teammate Joe Lemaire in the final.
This bout took place on Hitman’s Manchester show featuring Bad Company legend Liam Harrison. Fergus had also added the WMO European Title and WBC Amateur World medal prior to securing his date and opponent for ONE.
The younger of two brothers who have already built an international reputation in the sport, Fergus was accompanied to Thailand by mum and coach Lisa Houghton-Smith and brother Finlay.
Like Smith, opponent Al-Wesabi had qualified to make his ONE debut following intense selection and was himself riding the crest of a five victories wave including knockouts. Hence, he was no apparent pushover.
The Thai commentator described Smith as being a “talented, tactical athlete accurate and unpredictable who may well emerge as a future Muay Thai global superstar after a global search.”
Another combat sports pundit declared that: “It’s rare to see such a barrage of precisely delivered punches expertly showcasing a fighter’s skills.”
“Lisa, Finlay and I and his sister Felicity are beyond proud of Fergus,” said dad Richard, who also trains Fergus at Bramley’s Bad Company gym.
So impressed was Chaatri Sodyodtong, the founder of ONE, that he immediately awarded Fergus a sizeable bonus equivalent to £ 7,000, almost unheard of for a first timer.
Richard added: “They want him back soon. Leeds has a new potential combat sports superstar. Fergus Smith.”
Contact Richard Smith on 07885 270267 for information about Bad Company, which is based in Waterloo Way, Bramley.
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