I see he is fighting on Saturday against someone coming off a defeat. I really like Smith as a high euro/wbo standard boxer (he'd deal with Lockett!) and therefore slightly dissapointed by his level of opposition. He has had grabbed a little bit of fame for beating the bigger David Banks but has seemed to move backwards after that. Any other fans? The eternal question, how far can he go?
Buddy McGirt seems to think he can be a World Champion so thats good enough for me. So did the other guys on the contender. He should look to fight Elcock, Lockett, Eastman, Duddy by the end of the year, and then puch for a world title. Wouldnt mind seeing him at Light Mid either.
Steve Bendall was originally supposed to be fighting Smith before Barker but he pulled out to fight for the commonwealth Instead so no ones fault but Steve for the loss.
The contender probably worked perfectly for smith - winning vs banks but still leaving the competiton, as he kept his record but avoided Bika, who would surely have been too big for him. Light middleweight could be the answer
Wonder why Smith has taken things so slow though? I could understand If he was preparing for world level one day but he could of got a domestic title or two by now or the European.
He is only 25, so got at least 5 years lift in him as a pro. Has liverpool had a decent world champ before?
There are a lot less talented world champions at present than Paul Smith. He can pick up a strap then who knows, but he needs a trainer to insert that perfect game plan into him. Every time Ive seen him he does not capitalise on his best qualities, rather gets sucked into the lesser fighters ball game.
Hope the curse of Buddy McGirt doesn't affect him, he;s lacking the agression he had earlier In his career. His brothers turned pro at featherweight too.
people seem to be of the same opinion then: talented with exciting potential, BUT also frustrating with his level of opposition (ambition?)