Boxing News: Liam Smith must demonstrate his readiness for a chance at the world title

Posted at: September 02, 2022

Boxing News: As he gets ready to make his return to the ring against Hassan Mwakinyo in Liverpool on Saturday night, Liam Smith wants both world title opportunities and blockbuster high-profile star fight nights, depending on which comes his way first.

The 34-year-old had a setback in May 2012 when he lost to Magomed Kurbanov in Russia, but he is again riding the wave of stunning victories over Anthony Fowler and, most recently, Jessie Vargas in New York.

“I don’t want to sit here and keep having tick-over fights and keep getting little paychecks here and there,” said Smith in Thursday’s pre-fight press conference. “I want to have a huge fight people will talk about or I want to challenge for a world title again.

“I’m two, three and four in three of the governing bodies so I want to beat Hassan well on Saturday and prove I’m ready for another shot at a world title.

“If you can’t deliver another world title fight because the belts are tied up, then I want a big fight people are talking about.

“Obviously Chris Eubank is easy to make because of the Sky situation, that’s one I’ll take. Even if it’s not him, make another huge fight and I’ll take it.

After losing to Canelo Alvarez in September 2016, the former WBO light-middleweight champion was stripped of his belt. He was unable to regain it when he faced Jaime Munguia two years later.

Smith, though, is adamant that he still has a lot to give in the ring after joining Boxxer this year in anticipation of a comeback to the grandest platform.

“That comes with the family I’m from. People think ‘am I overlooking Hassan or coming to the end?’ Believe me, I’m from too good a family for both of them things,” he explained.

“If I’m taking my eye off the ball with Hassan I’ll be told, if I’m coming towards the end of my career I’ll be told – I’m not getting told anything like that yet so I’ve still got a lot to give.”

Chris Eubank Jr., who is now preparing to meet Conor Benn in October, has been connected to a bout with Smith for a long time.

Despite being aware of the danger Mwakinyo poses, Boxxer CEO Ben Shalom thinks Smith is in for some big evenings.

“We’re under no illusions, we wanted the Eubank fight next but everybody knows Liam Smith is a very very tough fight and if there’s an easier fight on the table people are going to take it,” said Shalom.

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Priyanka Suriyal

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