Bobby Vanzie had to endure extreme gamesmanship from challenger Ste-phen Smith's camp when he weighed in for tonight's British and Common-wealth title fight.

The Bradford boxer was taunted throughout by followers of Smith who tried to upset the double champion from the minute he arrived at the Lennox Lewis Community College in Hackney.

"They tried to suggest I looked gaunt and had struggled to make the weight. It was all very unnecessary and out of order but I think it shocked them when I weighed in two ounces under the 9st 9lb lightweight limit," said Vanzie.

Smith tipped the scales at 9st 8lb 12oz for the fight at the Elephant and Castle Leisure Centre but avoided any eye contact or conversation with Vanzie.

But his camp kept up the pressure by asking the doctor if the knee pads Vanzie wears at every fight were pro-tecting an injury.

Vanzie said: "The doctor was forced to investigate. I told him it was just superstition. I have always worn them just as Michael Spinks always did in America. He said he would consult the rule book but I am not bothered about the issue.

"I don't know why they are worried about my knees because it's my fists which win me my fights and I am ready for this one.

"I'm fit, focused and for the first time in my career boxing an opponent I dislike. When it was first suggested that the two of us would fight he went on TV and said Bobby Vanzie meant nothing to him and he would knock me over in three.

"I would never be so disrespectful to any boxer let alone a double champion. I hope to make him pay for it tonight."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.