Ōpōtiki’s Byron Smith is excited by the opportunity thrown in front of him for this Saturday’s Mortal Combat Fight Night in Whakatāne.

Smith who is relatively new to the sport with only one fight to date, has his toughest assignment so far this weekend when he steps in the ring against Jayden Lloyd, of Rogue Training Centre, in Whakatāne.

Coach Tairongo Hudson said Smith’s been a great member of the Scorpion Claw Club since joining.

“He has been doing a smooth fight camp for this fight. What lies ahead of him is no small feat, going up against someone with far more experience. But in true Ōpōtiki fashion and maybe a little bit of Ōpōtiki ruggedness Byron still accepted the fight.”

“I have full confidence Byron will perform well. In only his second fight he will be competing with no shin pads. But me and the team are excited to see him in the ring once again because he brings something that a lot of people don’t have and that’s the will to fight and never give up.”

Hudson said Smith had some special traits which make him a tough fighter.

He processes something you can’t teach. Some people call it ticker, some people call it crazy – whatever you call it, he has it and I look forward to seeing that on Saturday night in Whakatāne.”

Hudson urges Ōpōtiki fans to get to the Whakatāne War Memorial Hall and support Smith and fellow Scorpion Claw Club member Hohepa Pukepuke, who is up against Rogue Training Centre’s Ed Maui.

Smith said he’s amped for the challenge in front of him.

“I’m excited and ready. I know he is a tall fighter and has had a few fights so far.”

Smith picked up the sport as a bit of a hobby and hasn’t looked back.

“I have been training with Tai since the start of the year but I have been on and off with the sport my whole life.”

With a love to fight and jump in the ring, Muay Thai seemed like a no brainer for Smith. “I have only had one fight and it was tough, so I have become much fitter.”

He has a goal in mind that he hopes to achieve after hopefully picking up a win on Saturday night.

“I want to go and fight in Thailand. Move over there for two months to train and fight.”

Saturday’s action features 20 fights with doors opening at the Whakatāne War Memorial at 3pm, with the first fight beginning at 4pm.