Silver lining for Heart of Portsmouth ace on world stage

Heart of Portsmouth's Ivy-Jane Smith collects her silver medal at the AIBA World Youth Championships in India. Picture: England Boxing

Ivy-Jane Smith's bid for world glory came up agonisingly short in controversial fashion.

The Heart of Portsmouth (HOP) ace collected a silver medal at the AIBA Youth Women’s World Championships in India.

That’s after she went down to a split-decision final loss to host-country boxer Sakshi in Guwahati.

Smith saw the verdict go against her by the narrowest of margins in her 54kg clash.

Many observers felt the 18-year-old had done enough to win the title.

Smith becomes the first British boxer to make the final of the female world youth event.

It’s also a first for a boxer associated with Portsmouth to reach a world final. The win puts Smith on the radar of GB bosses for a full-time squad place.

HOP coach Q Shillingford said: ‘The decision was disappointing but Ivy has shown GB what she can do. She’s done the country and the area proud.’