LAUNCESTON-based professional boxers, Wes Smith and Jordan Platt, are ready to take on anyone as they look forward to a much busier 2018.

Both fighters endured a year to forget as a combination of injuries, pull outs and family problems meant they each got in the ring just once back in May, when they recorded comfortable points victories.

However, after a tough training camp, Smith and Platt are desperate to get back in the ring next Friday night (February 9) when they compete in Black Country Boxing Promotions’ No Love Lost ‘War Of The Roses II’ event at the Guildhall in Plymouth.

Smith made his pro debut back in October 2016 and is desperate to build on victories over Jan Korec and Andrej Cepur and make it three wins from three.

The 25-year-old farmer from Altarnun admits that the time out of the ring due to injuries and minor muscle niggles has been frustrating, but is in determined mood.

He said: “The training camp has been going really well and I feel strong. I’ve been doing a lot of pad work, sparring and running out on the moors and I’m ready to get down to business. It’s been quite frustrating to have been out of the ring for so long but I’ve got a long-term goal in mind to win a British title, so I look at the bigger picture. If you’re dedicated and believe in yourself then anything is possible.”

Both fighters have been in camp since early December, even sacrificing lots of the festive period, but Smith says its just part of the job.

He said: “We’ve done a lot of sparring and it’s been really tough. We’ve been up to places like Paignton and Bristol in preparation for this to spar people in our own weight class and they’ve been hard sessions, which are treated nearly as seriously as the fight itself.

“We’ve also been doing a lot of training around Christmas and the New Year. We had Christmas Day itself off which was nice but my fiancée Nisha is quite understanding in that she knows I’ve got to do it. My four-year-old Frankie knows a little bit about what I do and I’ve got also got Maggie as well but she’s still a bit young. In 2018 I want to fight regularly and take on anyone. I’d love to work my way up and win the Southern Area title, the English title and then the British title. I want to be able to fight the best but I know that’s a long way off and I need to win my next fight first.

The unbeaten welterweight (2-0, 1KO) is scheduled to face the tough, durable Midlander Kevin McCauley, who is regarded as the most active British fighter, having fought 185 times since making his pro debut back in 2008.

Despite having a modest record of just 15 wins and 12 draws, the 38-year-old has won the Midlands Area welterweight title and has got in the ring with the likes of former European welterweight champion Sam Eggington and ex WBO light-middleweight champion Liam Smith as well as being knocked out just 11 times in those 158 defeats.

Smith added: “Boxers pull out regularly before fights but if it is Kevin McCauley it’s going to be tough. He’s fought 185 times and isn’t a pushover. However, I’ll be backed by a decent support and it’d be great if we could have as many people come down to watch me and Jordan as possible. I’d also like to thank Connor Phillips from Sport Support who’s been great with me. He’s sorted out any injury or niggle I’ve had and now I can’t wait to get back in the ring.”

Smith will be joined on the seven-fight card by Platt, who’ll look to build on his debut points victory over Michael Mooney.

The 35-year-old is a latecomer to the professional ranks, and has seen a number of fights fall through.

He said: “I’ve got a full-time job with Nick Wade and Sons Builders so this is just a hobby for me in some ways, although I obviously take it incredibly seriously. I’m always fit and in the gym so I’m now just looking forward to building myself up and getting back in there. I’ve had a few people pull out and a couple of family things came up. I’ve also supposed to have a couple of away fights and they fell through. Yes it’s been frustrating but there’s not much you can do about it.”

Platt has also been delighted with his training camp, even if it meant a stricter festive period.

He said: “Preparations have been great. Me and Wes didn’t stop over Christmas. I even went for a five-mile run before Christmas dinner and we trained on Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve. Thankfully my wife Nicola doesn’t mind and our trainer Des Charnock puts in the effort so there’s no reason for us not to. We’ve been sparring at different clubs and it’s good to test yourself against different people.”

Juggling family life and work alongside boxing means that life is hectic for Platt, however he wouldn’t have it any other way.

He said: “I have a nine-year-old son called Leighton and he’s already started boxing and is hoping to have his first skills contest in May. I absolutely love boxing and if I wasn’t doing this I’d be here coaching. It’s second nature to go to work and then come here to train. Although I didn’t take up the sport until I was 21 and wasn’t particularly dedicated when I was younger, I am now. I didn’t want it to be a case of ‘what if’, so I’m looking forward to seeing how far I can go.”

Platt is expected to take on Melksham-based super-lightweight Liam Richards, who’s won just 12 of his 54 fights, including 31 defeats on the spin, 30 of which were on points.

However, Platt is focused on his own performance, saying: “I’m supposed to be fighting Liam Richards but opponents change all the time. I try not to think about that and make sure I’m 100% on it come fight night. It’s going to be a good test for me. I want to be put to the test but I’ll stick to what I’ve been working on. I’ve got four rounds to work my opponent out. The win is the main thing and if I get a stoppage then great, but I just want to win.

“Looking ahead to the rest of the year I just want to be out there and fight whoever I can even, if it’s last minute. I’m happy to travel about and I know at ten stone I’ll be a good test for anyone. I don’t just want to stick to Plymouth shows. If I get the chance to fight a couple of weeks later I’ll probably take it but it’s about taking it one step at a time.”

Platt is also hoping for a raucous atmosphere in front of a lively crowd.

He added: “Ticket sales have been going pretty well. Having lived in Launceston all my life I know a lot of people and I always get good support. On my debut there was a good crowd so I’m expecting similar.

“It’ll be a great show and it’d be brilliant if as many people as possible can come down and support us.”

To book your tickets at the Plymouth Guildhall, call Wes on 07506 108232 or Jordan on 07792 404443.