The former Albury Thunder hooker has retired from football to take up boxing.

Smith has shed 18 kilograms since the end of last year’s Group Nine season and is unbeaten after two fights, one by knockout.

“It’s a big move, but I’m definitely enjoying it,” Smith said.

“Not eating is probably the hardest thing.

“I’ve gone from pretty much playing footy at 95-96 kilos to fighting at 77 kilos.

“When you’ve got to lose weight and eat a healthy diet, your energy levels start to go on you and there’s a lot to it to keep yourself running.

“When you first start out, you want to drop the weight so you can fight smaller guys.

“I wouldn’t be able to stay with people at 95 kilos, they’re too big and experienced, so I had to drop the weight if I was going to give it a decent crack.”

Smith has always loved the sport and regularly used it to keep fit when playing football, but admitted the possibility of competing in the ring caught him off guard when approached by his now coach Matthew Friswell.

“I had a mate that was training with him and he wanted a sparring partner, so he contacted me and it went from there,” Smith said.

“We had a few spars and he asked if I was interested in having a fight in three or four weeks and I said ‘I don’t know about that’, but one thing led to another and I’ve been doing it for six months and I’m hooked.

“In the ring, the only person you can let down is yourself.

“Hopefully I don’t miss it (football) too much.”

Friswell also works with another former Thunder player in Michael Moore, who, along with Smith, are the founding members of Border Boxing Club.

“They’re both boxing at a very high level now, considering they only learned how to throw a jab last August,” Friswell said.

“They’re both undefeated and doing really well.”

Smith is set for his third career fight in Liverpool next weekend, followed by bouts at Narromine and Bondi.