Boxing News: Liam Smith believes that his fight on Saturday against Hassan Mwakinyo is merely a stepping stone to another opportunity to win a world title, and he hasn’t forgotten about a potential matchup with Chris Eubank Jr.
The 34-year-old defeated Jessie Vargas through a 10th-round TKO at Madison Square Garden in April and is making his BOXXER debut in front of a home audience at Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena.
Smith has pledged that he won’t make the same mistake on a pivotal night in his career as others who have allowed their focus waver in anticipation of a title possibility.
“I’ve had that with many opponents, Anthony Fowler, I’ve had that in my career and I’ve always said I’m from too good a family and too good a gym to overlook anybody,” he told Sky Sports. “You’ll see that by the shape I’m in Saturday night.
“I know this will give Hassan an extra 10 per cent fighting me, I’ve sparred with him in the past and I know he’s going to come. This is his world title fight, he takes all my rankings.
“For me, this puts me up in the rankings maybe up into one of the mandatory shots or if the belts become vacant then I’ll challenge for a vacant title.
“This is all on my path to fighting for a world title again.”
Sam Eggington’s growth was hampered by Mwakinyo in 2018, and he enters the match riding a three-fight knockout run. Mwakinyo is 20-2 (14 KOs) in his career.
“He’s a dangerous opponent, heavy-handed, has had some good wins and good wins on British soil but I’m not any of the other Brits, I’m the best 154 in Britain and I’m hoping to become a two-time world champion,” added Smith.
“I fully intend on dealing with Hassan the way I should, the way I feel I should be level-wise, I think I’ll do a good job and show I’m levels above this level.”
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