Boxing returns to the Omaha area this weekend. The Next Generation IV will be held Saturday at 7:30 at Ralston Arena & will feature a handful of local talent. Nebraska state welterweight champ Guy Smith Jr. is jumping at the chance to compete in front of his hometown crowd.
"There's always an extra pep in my step fighting in front of my family, my friends, my boxing brothers here," Smith said. "Everybody, man, it's a city thing."
This isn't the 28 year old's first title though. Back in 2006, Smith captured the 130 pound Class A state wrestling crown for Omaha Central.
"I wrestled in front of 11,000 or 13,000 in the state finals and I had ice water running through my veins so it's going to be the same thing Saturday," said Smith.
The former Eagle soared back into the ring about four years ago to focus on his first love thanks to some motivation from his longtime friend, Terence Crawford.
"Me and Terence have been friends since we were seven or eight years old," Smith said.
Smith is almost exactly one year younger than Crawford and hopes to one day become a world champion like his childhood friend.
"I always say once Terence wins the belt, it'll give me the motivation to try to get back into it and do the same thing," said Smith. "The things we've seen as kids just makes it a lot better. As people growing up seeing where we were at seven & eight year olds to where we are now as young adults man, it's awesome."
