Boxer Ben Smith does not lack for confidence and is steadfast in his belief that he has the credentials to become a future world champion.

Fresh from a maiden professional victory in his first ever pro fight against Kristian Laight the 19-year-old lightweight is focused on continuing his rapid development in the ring.

While his victory was courtesy of a 40-36 points decision and was solid rather than scintillating he feels the win, which came at the end of October, is the ideal springboard to launch his professional career.

“Winning my first fight in particular was massive for me because it starts me off on the right track,” Smith explained.

“We knew that technically the guy was not as good as me. I would have liked to get the knockout but the four rounds were a valuable experience for me.

“I felt confident I would beat him but at the end of the day he still has two arms, two legs, and can still hit you which I had to deal with and to come away with the win was good.”

After a distinguished amateur career in which Smith won the NABC title, ABA Junior title and captained England in his junior days he is now relishing the step up to the professional circuit.

The Wycombe athlete confirmed that he will have his second fight in mid-January to early February next year and hopes to establish a consistency that will see him rise up the rankings quickly.

He feels that signing for the renowned Frank Warren, and training with Mark and Jimmy Tibbs as part of Team Tibbs has put him in the perfect position to eventually achieve his lofty ambitions.

Smith’s confidence in his team is so great he even views it as being his sole responsibility should he fail to make it to the very top of his profession.

Smith said: “My long-term goal is to be world champion. I don’t know when that will come but I am patient, have time on my hands and the best possible team around me to do it.

“Frank Warren and Mark Tibbs have done all it before and know what it takes to make a world champion, they know the steps it takes to get there and can keep me on the right track.

“The people I have got around me are so good I say ‘the only person who can mess this up is me’ because I have everything in place to succeed and ultimately it is up to me to make sure I do.”

The fight against Laight took place at the Harrow Leisure centre and attracted a crowd of well over 200 people.

Many members of the audience had come down to see Smith and he was quick to thank them for supporting him in what was a new experience.

He credits the step up to professional boxing with re-energising him after he felt he had reached a natural conclusion to his amateur career.

“The reason I turned professional in the first place was that I felt I had achieved everything I wanted to on the amateur circuit apart from going to the Olympics,” he explained.

“When I walked out for my first professional fight I had that feeling I used to get when I boxed. I had a massive adrenaline rush and it felt fresh again.

He added: “I have to thank the people who came down to watch, the noise that greeted me when I came out was incredible and it was something I’d always dreamed about and went perfectly really.”