Sunday, December 22, 2024

AFL premiership hero stuns with ‘extraordinary’ act in 33 seconds

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Western Bulldogs premiership hero Clay Smith’s perfect start to his boxing career has continued.

In just his third professional fight on Wednesday night, Smith was in sizzling form, winning his light-heavyweight division bout against Jamie Phillips in just 33 seconds.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Clay Smith wins boxing match in 33 seconds.

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The Premier Boxing match was meant to travel over four three-minute rounds, but Smith was clearly in a hurry, leaving the commentators stunned.

“He’s dropped him like a bad habit with two huge right hands,” they shouted.

“Jamie Phillips is out and Clay Smith with a stunning first-round knockout in the opening 90 seconds..

Smith celebrates his stunning victory over PhillipsSmith celebrates his stunning victory over Phillips
Smith celebrates his stunning victory over Phillips Credit: Seven

“You cannot teach power like that and that is two thunderous hands.

“That is extraordinary punching power.”

After the fight, Smith — who retired from AFL in 2018 — was asked about his new sporting journey.

“I’ve been boxing for the last three or four years, slowly learning the craft,” he said.

“I’ve got the hunger and drive, so we’ll see where it goes.”

But when asked where he thought the journey was going to take him, Smith said: “I have no idea to be honest.”

He said a couple of years ago he was probably thinking about celebrity fights, but now things were getting serious.

“I started knocking a few people over in the first round there … and then none of them wanted to fight me, so we went pro, and we’re doing it in the pros,” he said.

Smith flattened Jamie Phillips in the opening round.Smith flattened Jamie Phillips in the opening round.
Smith flattened Jamie Phillips in the opening round. Credit: Seven

“We’ll just see where it goes … The right hand seems to do the trick.

“I probably need to work off the jab a little bit more, but yeah, it’s just good getting in here.

“Gets the adrenalin pumping, have a bit of fun, and we get to have a beer afterwards, which I’m looking forward to.”

Smith went on to thanks his family, wife, mates, sponsors and “and all these guys in my corner”.

Head here to watch Premier Boxing live and free on 7plus.

Last week Smith appeared on Chanel 7’s Armchair Experts and predicted the outcome.

“Well, I’m going to knock him out,” Smith told Bulldogs great and show host Adam Cooney.

Cooney responded: “Good. Solid. Love that. Good prediction. Simple. Easy. Definitely not going to go the distance?”

“No,” Smith said.

The card also featured other former AFL stars in Steven Baker (St Kilda) and Brodie Holland (Fremantle and Collingwood), with Baker winning that fight by unanimous decision.

And in the Australian light-heavyweight battle between Lucas Miller and Matt Sheehan, Miller won the national title with a TKO in the first round.

Baker celebrates victory over Holland.Baker celebrates victory over Holland.
Baker celebrates victory over Holland. Credit: Seven
Holland copped some punishment in the ring.Holland copped some punishment in the ring.
Holland copped some punishment in the ring. Credit: Seven

Smith also revealed on Armchair Experts that there was one current AFL superstar he liked to take on in a boxing ring and that was Toby Greene.

There is no love lost between Greene and the Bulldogs, and Smith vividly remembers an infamous incident in 2017 when Greene grabbed at and squeezed his face.

“Oh look, I wouldn’t mind having a go at Toby Greene,” Smith said.

The infamous moment between Smith and Greene. The infamous moment between Smith and Greene.
The infamous moment between Smith and Greene. Credit: Seven

“We’ve had a few run ins on the footy field, but look, he’s a ripper fella. He sort of plays the game in the same spirit with a little bit of competitiveness.

“There’s that photo where he’s got me by the jaw and he’s squeezing me.

“So I wouldn’t mind landing one on his chin.”

Smith had a history of horrible injuries during his AFL days, but had a fairytale run in 2016 where his knee held up and he played 13 games in a row to feature in the Bulldogs drought-breaking premiership.

He only managed eight AFL games after that before retiring, but he will be forever remembered for his four goals in the preliminary final that sent the Dogs on the way to their famous flag.

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