Hearn today confirming the plan is to have him box on the AJ-Miller undercard. The logic is clear, they want some scouse support out there to back Joshua too. But terrible for British fans. Another one of our top fighters boxing Stateside at a ridiculous time. He just established himself as the number one SMW and Hearn was lamenting the fact that he boxed Groves in the Middle East. He should be headlining shows here.
Smith, Buatsi, Taylor, Brook all wanting to be on a AJ undercard (even Andrade previously was pesting Hearn to fight then). Not worried about Smith, fighting once in America. Hearn already stated Smith will headline a super fight later in the year in the UK.
He does needs the exposure. If it was an isolated incident then fair enough but it’s becoming too frequent now. Lads who should be headlining our UK shows are off to America constantly.
Think he will end up moving up this inactivity must make it hard. Probably will be about 9/10 months out of the ring by the time he fights. Disgraceful promotion really after the hype of beating Groves and winning the WBSS
Can't blame him trying get that money. If the same defence pays him a lot more fighting on the AJ card it's difficult to criticise him for going down that route rather than fighting here for less.
Money talks- until the American networks decide to cut their cloth accordingly then this will be the status quo for the foreseeable future. I mean, Tommy Coyle is pencilled in for another US fight. Any talk on the opponent for Smith?
Send them all to the US. Clears up my Saturday evenings and gives me something to watch Sunday morning. Let's kill British boxing collectively, guys
He's not fought since the Groves fight for personal reasons I believe so as a keep busy fight in the meantime he wants to fight at MSG - I really don't see the problem with that. I would expect him to headline back in the UK later this year. Nothing to see here at this moment in time IMO.