Paul Smith Jr came out on top in the Class C 57kg category at the National Boxing Championships on Sunday
They are boxing’s most famous family. They are the most extraordinary and ordinary set of siblings in any sport.
Family has always played a huge part in boxing for Callum, Liam, Paul and Stephen Smith. They have been there for each other every step of the way.
Whenever one was fighting, the other brothers wouldn’t be far away. And that was again the case on Sunday afternoon. Only this time, all four siblings were in attendance to watch another family member take centre stage as Paul Smith Jr, son of Paul, competed in his second national final.
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Fighting out of the famous Rotunda ABC gym, three fights and three wins had presented Smith Jr with the chance to write his name into the boxing history books and become National Champion at 57kg. It was a chance he took with both hands.
Overcoming Martin Ward in a thrilling battle that went all the way to the final bell, the former St Bede’s student dropped to his knees when his hand was raised, while dad Paul wiped away tears as he embraced his son ringside.
But for Smith Jr, who immediately felt pressure to deliver when he first walked into the Rotunda gym aged 10, the moment of enjoying that winning feeling had been a long time coming.
“Ever since I have understood boxing, and knowing what my uncles won as amateurs, my first goal was to win a national title,” he tells the ECHO. “I have probably had that goal since I was nine, and I am 18 now.
“This has been nine years in the making, and it is an unbelievable feeling to get over the line. When I first started boxing, I felt a lot of pressure because of what the family had done.
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“However, over the years with people, my coaches and family, talking to me about it has been a privilege. The amount of knowledge those four have together is priceless; you can’t put a price on that.
“Even being in the changing rooms with them. For example, when Callum was going to fight [Artur] Beterbiev or Liam was going to fight Canelo [Alvarez], that is priceless.”
Smith Jr’s victory means his family have now won an incredible 20 national titles between them, and reflecting on the day, the 18-year-old said: “There were loads there watching me. All my family, friends and gym-mates came.
“There were loads there for the kid I was fighting as well. There was a massive crowd, and the atmosphere for the fight was one of the best I have been to.
“It was my second national final, and I knew how big the occasion was going to be, but walking out and seeing the crowd was definitely a little booster.”
Paul, Stephen, Liam and Callum made history when they became the first family to crown four siblings as British champions, and Paul Jr could well follow in their footsteps as he eyes a career in the paid ranks once he has secured a senior ABA title, that is.
“Now that I have got that weight off my shoulders, it is time to keep improving as a fighter and becoming a better fighter,” he replied when asked what comes next.
“I want to win a few more national titles and try and hopefully win my first senior ABA’s, which could be April 2026.
“I haven’t got a time set; it will just be a case of seeing how my career goes from here, but hopefully I will turn professional after winning the ABA’s.”
There was more joy for Rotunda ABC as Jamie Preston won his 5th national title on the same afternoon. Meanwhile, Luke Turner and Alfie Taylor-Satchell, both from Everton Red Triangle Gym, claimed their third and fourth national titles, respectively.
