Heart of Portsmouth ace aiming to become world champion

Ivy-Jane Smith has been backed to make her mark at world level.

The Heart of Portsmouth (HOP) ace is aiming to become the city’s first amateur world boxing champion at the AIBA Youth Women’s World Championships.

Smith is part of a six-strong English squad looking to make an impact in the event which begins in India on Sunday.

They have been preparing at a training camp in Delhi before arriving in Guwahati on Saturday for the weigh-in ahead of action.

The 18-year-old competes at 54kg as she aims to make her mark against the best emerging female talent on the planet.

And the switch-hitter has been backed to impress as she competes on the big stage before moving up to senior level.

HOP head coach Q Shillingford believes Smith has both the skills and mindset to make a mark.

He said: ‘Ivy’s been training really, really hard.

‘She’s on weight and we are so happy with all the preparations she’s had.

‘We’ve had Commonwealth and European champions but never a world champion or even a medallist. That would be amazing.

‘To get a medal at the World Championships would be something else.

‘She’s been to the training camp out there to get acclimatised.