All good fighters but not world class, Stephen is fringe world class (can compete at that level, but not win). Down to Callum now, even if he beats Dirrell I think he'll struggle with the top super middleweights unfortunately. I think Joe.Gs tactics will hold him back, he's looked like he's ran out of ideas in his last 2-3 fights for me at times.
Callum is the only one who is true world class imo but I'm not really sold on him as the next big thing at 168.
Callum is the only one with the potential to be a 'legit' world champ. But that potential diminishes with each day he stays with Joe Gallagher.
We all keep saying that but he must be doing something right..lets be right the Smiths arnt thick and they know boxing. Theyve all grown up in the sport..england and GB squads then gone onto pro careers. They must believe in Joe otherwise they wouldnt be there.
I think the backlash the WBA, Hearn and Smith got for this fight was understandable all things considered. So I thought because of the backlash it would fire Smith up even more, he'd go out there and not only want to take his chance and fulfill a lifetime ambition but to also ram all those negative comments back down people's throats but I don't think I've ever seen such a lacklustre performance from a man who knows it's his last chance. Joe Gallagher also has to take some blame in my opinion, of course Smith is the man in the ring and ultimately it's down to him but all Gallagher fighters seem to stick to the same tactic in world title fights.. high guard, stay compact, don't give much away, save yourself for the second half of the fight. It's been rumbled, we've seen it exposed quite a few times now and I have to mention the between rounds advice from Smiths corner, there was a serious lack of urgency or a complete misunderstanding of how far he was actually behind. I wish Smith all the best for the future, I honestly do but I hope we don't see Smith on Sky Sports again, at best he is bang average in the ring and even worse as a pundit.
I also don't want to see him back in the ring, I think father time's caught up and he must of earnt relatively decent money, nothing further for him to achieve after a long career. Not only that he can take up a role as a pundit on skysports. The only success he had in the fight was when he actually put it on Zeuge. I agree also with you N17 I don't think i've seen such a poor performance either, knowing it's really your last chance to win a world title. I don't think he can have any complaints over that. I think the tactics were all wrong. Joe Gallagher has to take some responsibility like you say, his advice before the 12th that I heard was unbelieveable. "work the body" and "don't get reckless!". The only chance he had of winning, was to take risks and what's the point of working the body in the 12th round given how Zeuge looked at that point? If any shot was going to win it for him at that point, it was a right hand to the head. Each to there own, but i'd want a trainer telling me to pull my finger out and that I need a knockout to win, give everything I've got for the last 3 minutes. Basically I'd be expecting both barrels. Smith is experienced also, surely he knew he was going to have to take a risk to win after X amount of rounds, but there was nothing. Don't like to hit a man when he's down but it was overall a very uninspiring performance.
To have 4 brothers box at that level is a great achievement sure they fall below world class but I wouldn't criticise them it probably never be replicated in the UK
Let's see what Callum can do, I think there are plenty of opportunities to be successful at SMW. He may outgrow the division though and LHW is full of killers!
Just my opinion to be honest mate. I wouldn't for a second think I know more about boxing than the Smith family. I have huge respect for anyone winning a British title never mind those guys. But the fact they are such a close family, and have such a close extended boxing family is something I believe could be a blessing and a burden for someone like Callum. He's clearly a level above his brothers and Crolla and Scotty Cardle and Hosea Burton and everyone else being trained by Gallagher. The only other fighter with real world level potential was Scott Quigg, and he's now seen sense and moved on. It was probably hard for him when they're all so close, but it's a thousand times harder for Callum. Gallagher is a good trainer to a point, but I don't see him doing anything for Callum at this stage. Unfortunately it will probably take a defeat for him to realise as much. Just like Quigg.