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Macro-agro: Jackson and Smith get enthusiastic at the weigh-in |
Uppercuts and jabs will fly as the old school takes on the new in a charity boxing bonanza set for September 2 at the Police Officers' Club
Cocksure Police Tactical Unit Headquarters pundit Paul 'Onion Jack' Jackson will spar with New Territories North beefcake exponent B.J. 'Power Cut' Smith - "I'll knock his lights out" - to see which former PTU man was in the toughest intake. They will clash for three two-minute rounds in what's sure to be the event of the year. The thriller headlines a gala boxing evening with four other events featuring youths from the Police Boxing Club fighting for the first time.
The Club's Danny Lawley, doubling as Smith's manager, said the evening would raise money for a boxing ring to keep the youths in training.
The youngsters, aged 16 to 18, joined the Club under the Superintendent's Discretion Scheme, to turn their troubled lives around through sport.
"Boxing teaches you a lot about self discipline and the stupidity of getting into a fight. It shows that using your fists to resolve disputes simply does not work," he said. "This event will showcase the talents of these youngsters and also raise funds to buy the ring so these boys can continue their training. In the last two years we've had about 100 boys go through the Club and not one of them has re-offended. It shows this kind of thing really works."
The main event sees Smith on the comeback trail, hoping to overcome the mental scars of his shattering defeat to a pint-sized Thai kick boxer in 1991. However, it also marks Jackson's debut so nerves could prove a hindrance to both fighters.
Lawley said: "Smith is very much a backfoot, stylish fighter whereas Jacko just comes out swinging. These are two of the classic styles of the sport and this is sure to be an exciting evening of entertainment for all, not just for those with gripes against Smith or Jacko!"
Jackson's manager Robbie "Don-key King" McRobbie added: "This is not an exhibition event. This is a serious competition between two different generations of PTU guys to see which intake was the best. Both guys have been training like mad as there's a lot of PTU pride involved here."
The fight will strictly follow international amateur regulations which requires protective headgear. Qualified boxing referees and doctors will oversee the matches.
OffBeat attended the pre-match weigh-in recently at the POC gym and saw the hostility between the pair was already simmering, their managers constantly scrambling to prevent the duo from locking horns. Measuring up, the older and more experienced Smith had a height, and reach (65 inches) advantage over Jackson (63 inches). However, the eager and agile northern Englishman had a slight weight advantage of 180 pounds over Smith's 177, which could prove critical in deciding the match.
Punching plenty of air, Jackson said: "Ali floated like a butterfly and stung like a bee, well I don't. I'll hit him like a sledgehammer and cut him like a chainsaw." Sucking in his gut for the photo shoot, a cool knuckle-cracking Smith countered: "I'll just let my fists do the talking."
Book fast as only 150 seats are available for the event. See the Bulletin Board on page 8 for details.