STEVE Smith, the Bramford professional boxer who fights under the ring name of Spartacus, has been getting in trim for his big bout later this month.The 24-year-old golden boy of the British light heavyweight division takes on big puncher Trevor Small of Birmingham at Portsmouth on May 25.

By Dave Allard

STEVE Smith, the Bramford professional boxer who fights under the ring name of Spartacus, has been getting in trim for his big bout later this month.

The 24-year-old golden boy of the British light heavyweight division takes on big puncher Trevor Small of Birmingham at Portsmouth on May 25.

A huge following of the Spartacus Army of fans will be going with him including Julie Rands of the Quintessence Hair Studio in Woodbridge Road Ipswich who has seen all Steve's nine winning professional bouts so far.

"She's my biggest fan and a few weeks before every fight I go and see Julie for a haircut," says Smith.

He'll have his work cut out against Small, a tougher than tough Midlander who not long ago finished the pro career of former top amateur James Branch and stopped the impressive run of Carl Smallwood.

Small will enter the ring a stone heavier.

"The harder they come the harder they fall as far as I'm concerned," says Smith who is battling to shake off a hand injury.

His hairdresser Julie, who teaches at the Suffolk College, says: "Steve will teach a few boxing lessons to Small. There's no doubt about that."

She added: "All his fans believe he can win the British title one day and possibly go on even further."