PADDY Fitzpatrick hopes a pair of wins for Sam ‘Sniper’ Smith in April can stand him in good stead to challenge for an English title.

Light-heavyweight Smith slipped to his first professional defeat earlier this month after being knocked out by the experienced Kirk Garvey in London.

That fight saw the Swindon-based boxer drop Garvey in the opening round before his opponent fought back to inflict the bout’s second knock-down, although this time Smith failed to see past the referee’s count.

Despite the loss, trainer Fitzpatrick explained his delight at how the 25-year-old has reacted to his first loss.

This includes accepting two dates in April – 14th and 28th – to fight again in the capital against as yet unconfirmed opponents.

He said: “Sniper proved his work and level against Kirk Garvey, he proved himself at that level of boxing.

“It was the inexperience of dropping his opponent that cost him.

“We hope for wins from the next two fights scheduled to get him back in the mix. By the end of April, he would’ve fought more than enough times to challenge for an English title.

“Sniper was gutted on the night of his loss, I’ve never seen him so distraught.

“But the next day, he made sense of it all. He’s not down, he’s focussed, determined and back at home training.

“He was in a position where he could blame the defeat on a countless number of things, or he could think how to fix it. That’s exactly what he’s done.

“No matter how hard a fighter prepares for a bout, someone will lose.

“Sniper took a risk, but he’s not sorry for it.”

While Smith will be Fitzpatrick’s only representative on April 14, four other boxers will take to the ring a fortnight later at the York Hall.

Ryan Martin, Harry Webb, Bradley Townsend and Bec Connolly will also be in action as Fitzpatrick takes five fighters to an away show.

Part of the reasoning behind Fitzpatrick’s decision to find the quintet bouts is down to the club’s unfortunate postponement of its home show on March 3.

Fitzpatrick said: “It’s a case of them training hard and wanting a fight. The purpose of training is to fight.

“We had a great show snatched from us in the 24 hours before it was due to start, it was a downer for these guys.

“They all realised they couldn’t get too down about it though. It was my job as a manager to move them to something new.

“The show will be good. Bradley has fought there before. I’m looking at Bradley and Harry to advance before they hit 24.

“There’s so much pride involved with British titles and if they’re to challenge, they need to be emotionally prepared for it.

“Bec has been pushing hard and deserves every success in the ring.”