By Mohamed Bahaa
With his upcoming fight against Josh Kelly serving as a launching pad for another world title challenge, Liam Smith is hoping to rejuvenate his career. The former WBO super welterweight champion is aware that his fight on September 21 at Wembley Stadium will be as crucial for his reputation as it is for his career.
Despite being 36, Smith believes he still has a lot to offer in the ring. Given his disappointing performance in the rematch against Chris Eubank Jr. last November, he understands he has to prove he is still a tough opponent. With 20 KOs and a record of 33-4-1, Smith soundly defeated Eubank in January, stopping him in just four rounds. But a back injury before the rematch and trouble making the 160-pound weight limit plagued Smith and he eventually lost in the tenth round.
For many admirers, Smith’s otherwise stellar career is overshadowed by this evening’s poor performance. Although his seasoned followers would consider this an anomaly, Smith knows that boxing fans want proof of his skill and tenacity, not justifications. A triumph over the in-form Kelly, who has 8 KOs and a record of 15-1-1, would be a huge step in the right direction.
“The impetus for this performance is to get people back on board and tell them, ‘No, he’s not done yet,'” Smith advised Queensberry. “Whether it’s Josh Kelly or somebody else. In my next fight after the Eubank rematch, I had to show the others that I’m not done yet.”
Given Smith’s enormous profile in British boxing, it’s strange to recall that he hasn’t held a world title since losing his WBO title to Saul “Canelo” Alvarez in 2016. Jaime Munguia lost his last world title fight in 2018. Despite these obstacles, Smith is determined not to stop until he has another opportunity to challenge the middleweight division at the highest level.
That was always my dream, said Smith. “I still box even though I’ve made so much money and been world champion. Even though I want to be a two-time world champion in two weight classes, I could retire content.”
Smith’s path is marked by tenacity and an immediate search for atonement. His fight against Kelly is more than just another game; it is a fight for his legacy and a first step toward realizing his highest ambitions.
