Stephen Smith's Career on Ice Over Warren Dispute

By Terence Dooley

Stephen Smith has been suspended by the British Boxing Board of Control, according to Boxing News online.  The sanction will remain in place until Smith has resolved his contract dispute with his BBBoC registered manager Frank Warren.  Smith released a statement last month in which he declared that that his Boxer/Manager Agreement with Warren had been determined, a claim that was denied by Warren, and he swiftly signed a deal with Matchroom.

Smith was due to defend his British Super featherweight title against Gary Sykes on Warren's show in his home city of Liverpool on December 7th.  Paul and Liam Smith, who hold the British 168 and 154lb titles respectively, are also fighting on what was due to be a historic night of boxing, the first time in British history that three siblings have defended national titles on the same show.  Now, though, Smith faces a dual battle against Warren and the Board in a bid to ensure that he gets back to doing what he does best, winning fights and titles.

Matchroom had hoped to hand Smith his debut on November 23, with Sykes still in the frame, but the Board insisted that the Sykes fight is lodged with them and agreed for the Liverpool bill, so they maintained that Smith had to fulfil his commitment to this defence, rather than moving the bout over to another promoter’s show.  Ironically, Smith responded by handing the belt back at the end of last month and will now have to appeal the suspension.

Indeed, Smith may use the ‘depreciable skills’ argument set forth in Warren V Mendy [1989] — in which the courts demarcated boxing as a special, and depreciable, skill and a short career — to lobby the Board for the right to fight, and earn, while waiting for his contract situation to be resolved.  Either way, his British title is gone and his licence, and career, is on ice for the time being. 

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