STOURPORT super-featherweight Billy Smith was always likely to have his work cut-out at Doncaster Dome Leisure Centre last night when he took on Central Area lightweight champion Stefy Bull.
Smith had originally been scheduled to meet Manchester debutant and former top-class amateur Craig Watson at South London's Elephant and Castle before a late change of plans saw him head off to Yorkshire.
Bull had been down to defend his title against Jeff Thomas before the Blackpool man's late withdrawal due to a virus. The search was then on for a replacement and Smith stepped into the breach.
While the local favourite ran out a 60-54 six-round points victor, Smith was rarely troubled and still had enough left to sting Bull with a crunching right hook to the head at the start of the penultimate round.
But the Doncaster boxer used his reach advantage to good effect and there were no complaints from the Smith camp when referee Howard Foster raised Bull's arm at the final bell.
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