Former Lansbury amateur in super-lightweight ranks

Bow teenager Tony Buttigieg launches his professional boxing career next month.

The 19-year-old has made the switch from the amateurs with trainer – and uncle – Barry Smith and manager Mickey Helliet and fights on his show at York Hall in Bethnal Green on Saturday, April 8.

Buttigieg was a good amateur with Lansbury Youth and is aiming high as a professional super-lightweight.

He said: “I’m not just here to get paid, I want to win things.

“I wouldn’t be boxing if I didn’t think I could win titles.

“I’ve signed with a manager who I know will keep me busy and can get me places.”

Buttigieg admits that without trainer Smith, he wouldn’t be boxing next month.

He said: “I was going to quit boxing after I got a bad decision go against me in the ABAs.

“I got a call from Barry and he said ‘You should stick at it, you’ve got a good career in front of you.’

“I took his advice and I’m glad I did. I was getting in with the wrong crowd at the time and if I wasn’t boxing, I don’t know where I would be now.”

Buttigieg says he was only three years old when he first went to the boxing gym and over the years he’s developed a hard-to-beat style.

He added: “I boxed at a high level in the amateurs. I boxed champions and European medalists and I gave them all problems.

“I was awkward, gangly and fit, and hard to deal with over three rounds.

“It’s hard to get on top of opponents like that in a three-round fight and now I’m a pro, I’m developing my style and making myself hard to beat again.

“The dream was always to turn pro and I want to see how far I can go.”

Tickets for the show at the York Hall are available from 07734 224232.