Mitchell Smith has a title fight on the Billy Joe Saunders undercard in his sights after claiming a bruising win against Lee Connelly on Saturday night.

The former Bushey ABC member made tough work of his first fight in seven months, needing to go the full distance at London’s Copper Box to secure the points decision.

It may not have been a stellar performance, but Smith says the victory provides a stepping stone as he looks to kick on after a spell in the shadows.

“My sparring has not gone perfectly and I have had iffy sessions. Pretty much what happened in camp is how it went this evening,” he told iFL TV.

“It wasn’t a great camp and neither was the fight but I got through it. We were using the fight as part of my training for the next camp and hopefully I can get on the Billy Joe Saunders undercard.

“I want to crack on with my career now and stay busy.”

Smith put his rustiness down to a prolonged spell out of the ring and it is worth taking into account Connelly’s deceptive record.

Despite losing 25 of his 33 fights, the 29-year-old super lightweight has been knocked out just four times and has gone the distance in his last 11 outings.

With this in mind, Smith was happy to have come through the encounter and says he has learned from his extended time away from the ring.

“It wasn’t the best performance. I am happy to have got six rounds under my belt, which is exactly what I needed,” he said.

“It is hard to judge me on that performance because it was patchy. It was good at times and I tried too hard at other times.

“I am learning so much, especially in the last six months, and the next six months will show that.”

Smith believes he has every chance of making the Billy Joe Saunders event, which takes place on Friday, July 7, and he hopes he will do so for a title.

Doing so would represent a strong revival from the 24-year-old after he suffered a painful defeat by unanimous decision to George Jupp in December 2015.

The fight, which saw Smith go the distance but come up short, meant Jupp took the WBO Inter-Continental super featherweight belt from Smith.

He has since recovered with a fourth round stoppage of Norwin Galo which proceeded the defeat of Connelly.

There is a sense Smith has unfinished business with Jupp, who lost his title to Miguel Berchelt last year, and he refused to rule out a rematch.

Smith does, however, insist his career is about more than a solitary loss to Jupp, and will look to take the best fight available to him and is eager to maintain his current level of commitment.

“My career doesn’t depend on beating George Jupp and there are other fights out there which are better,” he said.

“I wouldn’t mind taking them. If it (a rematch with Jupp) happens, it happens.

“I want to be as busy as I can and I have had awhile since the George Jupp fight.

“I just want to get back into camp so I have something to focus on.”