BOXING COMMENTATOR Adam Smith is set to make an emotional return to commentary on Friday night after a year battling cancer.
Smith is one of the most well-loved voices in boxing and announced that he was cancer free at the end of 2023 – alongside also confirming that he will be leaving Sky Sports after 30 years.
GettySmith is a boxing stalwart, calling some of the most iconic fights over the course of his career[/caption]
The commentator had worked for Sky Sports since August 1994, but will now not return to the channel.
He’ll return to call the Thomas Essomba vs Ellie Konki at the Canon Medical Arena in Sheffield as he looks to defend his Bantamweight EBU European title.
Stevi Levy will face off with Ebanie Jones for the English super bantamweight title and light-heavyweight prospect Shakeel Thompson will also be in action.
Speaking to Jim White on talkSPORT on Thursday, Smith said he is counting his blessings ahead of his return.
He said: “I’m excited. I love commentating, as you know, and since I was nine or 10 years old it was the only thing I’ve ever wanted to do.
“It’s a passion that I’ve had through my life.
“The last year or year and a half as been pretty tough, brutal, and I’ve missed it. I’ve missed everything.
“It’s good to be back and good to be back in Sheffield – a city that I know so well from the days of Prince Naseem Hamed, Johnny Nelson, Ryan Rhodes and all the others.
GettySmith called Joshua and Klitschko’s bout[/caption]
“It’s good to be back in Sheffield, good to be back with Spencer (Oliver) – we’re going to commentate together and it’s really exciting.”
‘The voice of boxing’ has won numerous awards throughout his broadcasting career, including The Broadcast Award, the RTS Award, as well as being nominated for a BAFTA, SJA and The Sports Book Awards.
He has provided the commentary for some of the most iconic fights in the past three decades, including Floyd Mayweather‘s bout with Conor McGregor as well as Anthony Joshua‘s clash with Wladimir Klitschko.