On the morning of the Merseyside Derby, you would be forgiven for the thinking that an Everton away victory would be the rarest of occurrences, having not won since 1999, in this sports crazy city.
You’d be wrong.
Not since Paul Hodgkinson’s reign as WBC Featherweight Champion, between 1991-1993, has Liverpool been the home to a legitimate world champion. So, when Paul Smith faces Arthur Abraham (40-4 28KO’s) for the WBO Super-Middleweight World Title in Kiel, Germany this evening, he will aim to redress the balance and return with a title this city has been missing for far too long.
Returning this level of pride is a responsibility that Smith (35-3 20KO’s) is relishing, 100% convinced since the minute the fight was muted, that this is his destiny and victory is written in the stars. Given where he came from, you can see why.
It’s easy to forget that, following crushing a defeat George Groves back in 2011 when he was knocked out in 2, almost a year on from a difficult defeat to then bitter rival James DeGale in 9, Paul Smith lay in a hospital bed, post operation questioning his future in the ring. It would have been the logical decision, given the talent in the division both domestically and internationally, but in his own words Smith knew he had something offer and made the fighters decision to continue.
Since his return to the ring, injury free, he has wracked up 4 wins, with 3 stoppages, winning the British Title in the process, looking ferocious against local rival Tony Dodson. In doing so, Smith achieved his dream of reclaiming the British title. He looked a different fighter to the one who brawled to ugly victories over Tony Quigley and the aforementioned Dodson previously. Whether you put that down to the renewed vigour the last chance saloon inspires or his role as the head of uniquely talented pool of siblings, Smith looked refreshed and ready for more.
And more he has been given, with the Sauerland Brothers, utilising their blossoming relationship with Matchroom and Sky Sports to provide Arthur Abraham with the type of exposure, which he will just not get by fighting Robert Stieglitz for the 12th time. Make no mistake, Smith is being considered an opponent by the German outfit and I would venture Abrahams to boot, something which he will relish.
If Smith is going to win this fight, he must stick to Joe Gallagher’s game plan, which he will have no doubt devised, very much in line with his plans for Matthew Macklin v Felix Sturm and Anthony Crolla v John Murray. With the aim to out-hustle the Armenian, never static and matching any assault with his own work.
Smith strongly believes that ‘King’ Arthur has overlooked him, I agree with him, but I don’t think it will take much for Abraham to regain his focus and go to work, so a strong start is an absolute must. He has to be clearly winning the rounds, given Germany’s, should I say, checkered past when it comes to judging decisions.
I will be with every Englishman, who will be willing him on, with every punch he throws and every round he puts in the bag. But, ultimately, I have to say logically; I cannot see Paul Smith coming out on top here. He is going up against a man in Abrahams whose only professional defeats have come at the hands of Carl Froch, Andre Ward, Andre Dirrell and Robert Stieglitz, who although faded slightly is far and away the best opponent Smith, who has come up short twice at fringe world level (Groves and DeGale still progressing at the time), has faced.
I believe Arthur Abrahams will come out on top, with a point’s victory, or late stoppage in a hard fought fight. I also believe this will be the performance of Smith’s career and he will prove himself worthy of his world title challenge, which seemed so far away in 2011, but to win will take a monumental effort.
But, who am I to argue with destiny and it is hard to disbelieve Smith, a man who talks with such certainty, such belief, that anything is possible. If he pulls this off, it will go down as one British Boxing’s finest efforts on the road and rightly so and Paul Smith will have returned a pride to a city, which has been gone for too long. I think I know which one will mean more to him.
