Paul Smith Jr, last seen getting beaten and bloodied against Andre Ward in June, has insisted that he isn’t ready to call it a day just yet.
Smith, who has now recovered from an elbow surgery that he underwent following the catch weight loss to the Oakland fighter, moved to (35-6) with the defeat, and has blamed poor preparation for both his performance on the night as well as coming in overweight on the scales – an offence for which he was fined a considerable sum, only for Ward to return that portion of his purse as a goodwill gesture.
The former British title holder and 2x world title challenger spoke to Sky Sports to discuss the future, which he claims can see him in any number of fights, although against who, and for what in terms of titles, is unclear.
“I’ve just started getting back into the gym training and I’ve had a chat with [promoter] Eddie Hearn and there’s a few fights out there and there’s a few routes out there as well,” he said to Sky Sports.
Smith was beaten twice in Germany by WBO 168 lb champion Arthur Abraham in back to back fights before the loss to Ward, and vacated his British title recently in order for it to be contested in November by younger brother Callum and fellow Liverpudlian, Rocky Fielding.
“I don’t want to retire. If you told me I was never going to fight again, I would be gutted – and the fact that I feel that way shows I want to carry on,” he said.
Smith, who also has losses to current IBF champion, James DeGale, and countryman George Groves on his ledger, was advised to retire by trainer Joe Gallagher in the wake of the loss to Ward, and at soon to be 33 years old it is hard to see what MEANINGFUL fights are left out there for the Scouser, who also has a job as an analyst for broadcaster, Sky Sports.
A world title, sadly, is not a realistic proposition for Smith in the eyes of this writer, and with the Scouser expressing his own doubts about the rigmarole of enduring long training camps once again, one has to wonder if his heart REALLY is in carrying on, or like so many fighters, he simply cannot walk away from the lure of the bright lights even though his time any where near world level is arguably well and truly over.
Smith stated he plans on a six or eight rounder to test the water first, in any regard…..
Twitter @Undilutedpoison
