LIAM SMITH: ‘I’M GUTTED’

‘Beefy’ explains why he won’t be facing Sadam Ali this weekend, to Jack Figg

LIAM SMITH discussed his heartache after making the decision to pull out of his WBO super-welterweight challenge against Sadam Ali, which had been scheduled for this weekend, May 12, in Verona, NY.

“I’m gutted, that’s why it’s such a hard pill to swallow,” Smith told Boxing News. “I’m okay and I’m not injured in the fact I’m not out with a bad hand or an elbow or back injury it’s just an allergy and a virus that kept me out of training for seven days.

“Two weeks before a world title fight, seven days on the couch is not good for no one and it was just the right decision to make, but it’s still a hard one to take and one I have to just move on from.

“I know I’ll get my shot and that is why the decision was made because I know I’ll get my shot and when I do get it I want to be right.

“People know I don’t just pull out of fights with any tiny little niggle,” he continued. “I get niggles all the time but I go ahead with every fight, I’ve never pulled out of one fight in nine years, not at any level.”

Mexican Jaime Munguia was announced as a replacement, however Smith is still hoping to challenge for his old WBO title against the winner.

Smith said, “That’s my full focus now and making sure the WBO do the right thing and keep me mandatory for the winner of the Ali-munguia fight. Frank [Warren] is going to push for that and there’s no reason why I wouldn’t still be mandatory.

“It’s a valid medical reason, I’ve got doctors notes and I’m just injured, I only wanted the fight postponed three weeks, a month but because of Ramadan he [Ali] has to fight now.”