Rikardo Smith

It will be youth, in the person of Rikardo Smith, versus the experience of Anthony Osbourne tonight, as the Wray and Nephew Contender boxing series enters the penultimate round of the preliminaries, at the Chinese Benevolent Association auditorium, starting at 8:30.

Smith, representing the Yellow Team, is a 25-year-old boxer who has just graduated to the professional ranks after a successful amateur career, and he will be trading punches with the 35-year-old Osbourne, who has been a professional since 1998 and is representing the Green Team.

The very popular 15-week series, that is being promoted by MJK Productions and is sponsored by J. Wray and Nephew, Claro and TVJ, has seen a lot of explosive action so far, but tonight's fight could be a boxing chess match over six rounds.

Prior to becoming a professional last year, Smith had an excellent career as an amateur, winning 37 bouts and losing 10. Among his accomplishments is a bronze medal in the Pan American Games.

Osbourne, who never fought as an amateur, has been a professional for 13 years, but his 8-31-1 record is nothing to write home about. Known in boxing circles as 'an opponent', he has travelled far and wide, accepting fights at short notice, and most times has ended up on the short end of controversial decisions.

best shape of his life

He is well prepared for tonight's contest, however. Unlike previous times, he has been training hard and consistently for several months, and said yesterday that he is in the best shape of his life. "I am going to teach the youngster a thing or two," he declared.

Smith, who has been anxious to get into the ring in this series, is bubbling with confidence and says that he does not fear Osbourne. "There is no way that I can lose to him," he said yesterday, warning, "do not be surprised if it does not go the distance."

Those are fighting words and it will be interesting to see who is correct. Smith is, however, starting as the slight favourite because of his youth and known boxing skills. There will also be two amateur bouts, starting at 8:30, and the card will be televised by TVJ starting at 9:30 p.m.