Just under two years ago, The Pride of Basildon, Georgie Smith - then fighting as a light welterweight - looked to have a sparkling future ahead of him.

Flamboyant, skilful, immensely popular, and with a remarkable knockout record behind him, he had been widely tipped for an imminent British title shot.

However, those dreams came to grief when, in October 1996, Smith succumbed to his first professional defeat - a points decision at the hands of Rimvidus Bilius.

That defeat signalled a dramatic change in Smith's fortunes as illness and a succession of injuries blighted his progress until he restored his pride, defeating Bilius in a rematch to secure the vacant IBO Inter Continental welterweight championship.

Unfortunately, last October he lost the title to a canny Scot, Charlie Kane, on a points decision in Southend.

However, Smith bounced back after a lengthy lay-off, stopping Shaun O'Neill in the second round of their contest at York Hall, Bethnal Green.

His reward is a British welterweight title challenge against champion Derek Roche at Carlisle on Saturday evening and, for once, Smith will be the underdog, but that will suit him just fine, according to Matchroom Boxing spokesman John Wischhusen.

"Roche beat Charlie Kane to win the British title in April," he said.

"Because Kane had beaten Georgie, the betting money seems to be on Roche, who will be making a voluntary defence of his title.

"Being the underdog will not worry Georgie. His training has been going well and he has been sparring with the former British champion Geoff McCreesh."

Smith agreed: "Everything's bang on," he said. "This will be the biggest opportunity of my life - an opportunity to turn my life and my career around and to put me on my way to the top of the ladder."

A strict training regime means Smith has to spend much of his time away from home, so he has little chance to see his wife and young children during the build-up for each contest.

"That's always the difficult part," said Smith, "but if I can bring the Lonsdale belt back home to Basildon, it will all be worthwhile."

For ticket details call Matchroom Boxing on 01708 782208.

The fight is due to be televised live on Sky, probably sometime around 9 to 10pm.

Past glory . . . Georgie Smith, a former Southern Area champion, holds aloft the IBO Inter Continental welterweight champion's belt. On Saturday evening he hopes to add the British title to his list of achievements.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.