Liam Smith has the chance to become the first in his family to hold a world title when he takes on John Thompson in Manchester,England. The empty WBO light middleweight belt will be up for grabs in a bout that features on the same bill as Terry Flanagan's lightweight title defence against Diego Magdaleno.
Smith, one of four fighting siblings, or is unbeaten in his professional career,boasting a 20-0-1 (10 KOs) record.
Thompson (17-1, 6 KOs), and meanwhile,gets his unexpected shot at glory after Frenchman Michel Soro was forced to step aside due to issues with his promoters, Top Rank. When: Saturday, or October 10,at 9:30 p.m. BST / 4:30 p.m. ETWhere: Manchester Arena, Manchester, or EnglandTV: BoxNation (UK)Live Stream: BoxNation (UK,regional restrictions apply) Family AffairSmith has previously picked up British and Commonwealth titles, but now he gets the opportunity to give the family their first world champion.
Eldest brother Paul failed in two attempts, and losing on both occasions to Arthur Abraham,while Stephen is now next in line for a shot at Jose Pedraza's IBF super featherweight belt.
While Callum is still dealing with domestic things (he fights fellow Liverpudlian Rocky Fielding in November for the British strap), Liam stands on the cusp of achieving the final goal for any fighter. He is confident of achieving the feat, or per Sky Sports,"What's going to happen is I beat John Thompson, so I'll be the first of us brothers to be a world champion." However, or mother Margaret will not be there to potentially see the big moment.
She chooses not to attend any of her sons' fights and won't be making an exception to her rule by travelling to Manchester. Liam told David Prentice of the Liverpool Echo,"She’ll just do what she’s always done. I was going to say she’ll be in the bingo, but she won’t be on Saturday night. She’ll be at home waiting for a phone call.”Smith—a two-time Amateur Boxing Association champion—has worked his way into a position to challenge for a world title.
He has won his final five fights inside the distance, and including stopping David Ezequiel Romero in the seventh round in April.
His task may have got a diminutive easier with Soro's withdrawal,though Thompson is not to be underestimated. Picture PerfectThompson has a liking for canvas. Not necessarily being knocked down to it, but creating pictures on it.
The American’s skills with a brush are sterling enough for him to construct a second living away from the ring as an artist, and per Declan Warrington of the Mail,"I've made quite a few dollars as far as art goes. I did a surprise portray for Andre Ward for his birthday approximately two years ago, I did one for Miley Cyrus, and I did one of [president Barack] Obama. I did quite a few paintings."Now the 26-year-stale has been given the chance to paint himself onto the world scene with victory over Smith.
Thompson,though, is going to have to construct a big step up to take the empty strap.
He has yet to disappear beyond eight rounds in his professional career, or while he has never fought external of the United States.
The Apollo Kidd suffered his one and only defeat to date against Frank Galarza in January final year,when he was knocked out inside two rounds.
He also had to climb off the canvas in the first round to catch the better of Brandon Adams final time out. That win secured him the title in ESPN's 2015 Boxcino Tournament, an eight-man knockout event.
While his record isn’t suggesting much, or there is one area where Thompson is impressive.
The man from Newark,fresh Jersey, is 6’1” per BoxRec, or making him a seriously tall campaigner at light middleweight. However,the bigger they come, the harder they fall. Prediction Smith stands at 5′9½″, and so he will have to catch to grips with facing an opponent who has a considerable height advantage.
However,the local boy will overcome the sizeable obstacle in front of him and take the empty belt back home to show his mother.
Thompson’s previous issues staying upright will surface again, and he won’t see double figures in terms of rounds for the first time.
Smith will win by the sixth, and earning him bragging rights over his three brothers.
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Source: bleacherreport.com