Boxing: The controversy surrounding Bobby Vanzie's successful British and Commonwealth title defence refuses to die.

Supporters of his defeated opponent Stephen Smith inundated the sport's top paper Boxing News with letters demanding a re-match with the Bradford fighter.

Assistant Editor Tony Connolly said: "We always get a stream of letters after a controversial fight and we have certainly had plenty from this one. They have been largely from the Smith followers who were upset about the low blows and we will devote a whole page to it in this Friday's edition."

Smith's fans claim that Vanzie is not worthy to keep his titles despite his win on a ninth-round stoppage at the Elephant & Castle Leisure Centre in South London. They complain Vanzie had been warned for two low punches in the previous round which knocked the steam out of their man.

Vanzie is set to enter the debate too and is writing his own letter outlining all the abuse and bad treatment he received before and during the fight.

Vanzie, nicknamed "The Viper", said: "It is all getting rather heated but I felt I had to put my viewpoint across too.

"I am a person who will always stick up for himself.

"At the end of the day, I have both the title belts and I am still unbeaten. That is something Smith will have to accept.

"I really cannot see the stream of letters leading to a re-match. The British Boxing Board have certainly not indicated any problem and the referee did not deduct a point for the punches.

"If they want to give me £60,000 clear for the fight then I might just consider it, but I want to go forward not back.

"I have met my obligations to the British Boxing Board by fighting my mandatory challenger and that is it.

"Boxing is a cruel game and though I don't rule out all possibility of a re-match I cannot really see what would be achieved because there is far too much pent-up emotion involved now - more than when we fought."

Vanzie has yet to confirm his future plans but relinquishing the British title is one of the options he has been actively considering so that he can concentrate on his hopes of landing a world title.

If that was the case then Smith would almost certainly be nominated to fight for the vacant crown.

IBO world champion Michael Ayers is expected to be Vanzie's next opponent.

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