The Catholic Club fighter was due to return to the ring after a 14-year absence at the Tyne, Tees and Wear senior ABA finals earlier this month.

But the 32-year-old was handed a bye straight through to the quarter finals after having no opposition in his super heavyweight category.

Those quarter finals take place in Sheffield on Friday night and Smith couldn't face a much tougher test to make his return to the ring.

He is up against Manchester's Tyson Fury – a 6ft 6in 19-year-old who tops the scales at more than 18 stones.

Fury is ranked at number two in the country and has returned to the amateur ranks after making an ill-feted brief foray into the professional game.

Catholic Club head coach Paul Allen said: "We have got a really tough one because this lad is an international boxer.

"But his reputation does not bother Mark. He has done plenty of sparring and has really got into shape.

"Of course we would have liked someone easier for his first fight back – without a doubt.

"One of the others in the quarter finals would have been nice but Mark sees it as getting the best out the road first off."

Smith was touted as the next big thing as a youngster, winning three national titles and beating future WBU light-middleweight world champion Takaloo.

The former England international's promising career came to an abrupt end when he stepped up to the seniors, but now he is hoping for one last shot at the big time.

Smith is Hartlepool's sole remaining representative in the senior ABAs after Mick Hadfield, Paul Robinson and Stuie Buckley were all beaten at the regional stage.

If Smith does make it past the might of Fury, he will face a semi-final clash on Saturday, ahead of the final on May 16.