Smith aims to copy Benn and Eubank

MAGICAL MARQUEZ

® be remembered. I want to be known across the country. When I retire I want people to still talk about me being in big and exciting fights.”

With this tournament comes financial reward with £20m in the prize pot. But it is the recognition that Smith is more interested in.

The winner will land the WBA title as Groves has brought his belt into the competition.

The tournament format means Smith will get his world title shot MARC MARQUEZ snatched a last-lap victory at Misano to move level on points with Andrea Dovizioso at the top of the MotoGP standings.

The Repsol Honda rider bounced back from tumbles in Friday practice and yesterday’s warm-up to seal a stunning win in the San Marino rain.

Two-time world champion Marquez (right) needed to score highly after his non-finish at Silverstone.

A strong ride in tricky conditions saw him close in on the race leader, Pramac Ducati’s Danilo Petrucci, in the final quarter of the race.

Marquez drew level as they crossed the line at the if he wins his next two bouts, while the winner will be up there with IBF champion James DeGale and WBO title holder Gilberto Ramirez as the best in the division.

With that comes the pressure that Smith has to deliver on the prediction he and many others have made.

But he has been dealing with the pressure of living up to expectations ever since he followed his three older brothers into Liverpool’s Rotunda amateur club.

Paul, Stephen and Liam became British champions in the professional ranks, but Liam is the only world champion to date.

“I had pressure of people expecting me to be good because of what they were doing,” said Smith.

“I’ve carried that pressure my whole career but I feel more pressure from myself. I set my own goals. If I haven’t won a world title, then I’ll feel I’ve underachieved.” ® end of the penultimate lap. Then the Spaniard squeezed past Petrucci before banging in the fastest lap to take his fourth win of the season. “I was trying to control the race, trying also to control myself because I was able to be a little bit faster. But I had to be patient,” said Marquez, who won by 1.192secs with Dovizioso a distant third. “After Silverstone, it was very important for the championship.” With five races left, Marquez and Dovizioso are tied on 199 points.