Bermuda?s only Olympic medallist Clarence Hill believes Shareiff Wales needs to shed some pounds if the super heavyweight is to follow in his footsteps this summer.

Caribbean amateur champion Wales disposed of fellow Athens-hopeful Freeman Smith with a first-round knockout in Fight Night?s showpiece bout on Saturday and still hopes that qualifiers in Mexico and Brazil will give him a chance of seeking Olympic glory.

But Hill, whose bronze in 1976 in Montreal made Bermuda the least-populous nation ever to medal at a Games, believes Wales needs to slim down if he wants to even get on the plane to Greece in the summer.

?He is just too big at the moment,? said Hill, who was given a rapturous ovation when introduced to the 2,000 crowd in Number One shed on Saturday night.

?He needs to lose some serious weight if he wants to compete. He looks like he has plenty of natural talent but that will mean nothing without the extra speed he will get if he is lighter.

?But he clearly has a lot of power and can handle himself ? good luck to him.?

And when bravely put the ?you?re too fat? statement to Wales, he agreed.

?No, he is totally right,? said the surprisingly affable gentle giant, who packed a mean punch even aged four, according to his proud mother.

?But it is tough, it is tough here in Bermuda. Don?t get me wrong, I love this place but I want to see this in the newspaper ? it is hard in Bermuda to put in the time you need to be in the perfect shape.

?I have to work two or three jobs and with all the stress of work and living here it is tough to be able to do what I need to do to get into the shape.

?I know I need to lose a few pounds. I already have the power but more power will come with more speed and that is what I need.

?I still want to turn professional but I am going to need be in better shape if I am going to achieve that.?

Hill, who turned pro following his Olympic success before a dramatic fall from grace, added that middleweight Trace Easton, who knocked out Canadian Azian Howes with the first punch of the second round of his bout, had the potential to go further.

?I like what I see in that boy,? he said after what he described as ?a wonderful night?.

?I think he has a chance of going to the Olympics ? he can punch, he can move, he looks good.?