LIAM Smith continues to be hungry to grow to be a world champion once more.
The Liverpudlian was at his highest defeating Chris Eubank Jr 4 months in the past and face his middleweight once more in a rematch on July 1.
No titles are on provide, as a substitute it’s bragging rights up for grabs and Eubank shall be eager to stage up their rivalry at Manchester Area.
It has been eight years since Smith received his solely world title so far, at super-welterweight. His win over Apollo Thompson was backed up by two routine defences. His third was a far larger take a look at within the form of Canelo Alvarez. The Mexican inflicted the primary loss on Smith’s document in Texas after he was dropped by a physique shot within the ninth spherical. The reign of ‘Beefy’ lasted 11 months.
There have been a dozen fights since then for Smith leading to a 10-2 successful document. His second profession defeat got here in 2018 towards one other Mexican Jaime Munguia. The third was probably the most controversial dropping on factors to Magomed Kurbanov in Russia two years in the past, a combat many believed the Brit had finished sufficient to win. French 154lb fighter Michel Soro suffered the same, arguably larger, injustice in Ekaterinburg earlier this month.
Smith has repeatedly shrugged off the losses and got here again with spectacular wins towards the likes of Liam Williams, Anthony Fowler, Jessie Vargas, and Eubank Jr.
The 34-year-old craves one other world title alternative and has his eye on the middleweight strap held by Zhanibek Alimkhanuly.
“One of many components I’m gutted over – why I need to be world champion once more – the world title was received and doubtless placed on prime of the washing basket. I simply didn’t cherish being world champion,” he informed Sky Sports activities.
“I didn’t know the way massive it was. That’s why I’m determined, I’d like to be world champion once more. As a result of I’d cherish each little bit of it. I do know what it means.”
The Kazakh can be each bit the take a look at that Munguia was and a stiffer one than Kurbanov, however Smith seems to be enhancing and has by no means been one to lack self-belief.
“He’s probably not excessive danger, low reward as a result of the reward is his world title,” he stated.
“The Denzel Bentley combat has introduced [Alimkhanuly] down a peg, however nonetheless an excellent combat. I’ve identified of him for a bit, I watched him within the Olympics, noticed him beat [Anthony] Fowler within the Olympics. He’s nonetheless solely had 13 fights, fighter.”
