SMITH ‘BUZZING’ FOR LAS VEGAS
Date and venue set for the Liam Smith vs Jaime Munguia world title ght. John Dennen reports
LIAM SMITH will challenge WBO super-welterweight champion Jaime Munguia at the Hard Rock casino in Las Vegas on July 21.
The bout gives Smith the chance to win back the world title that he lost to Canelo Alvarez. The belt would be picked up by all-time great Miguel Cotto. He lost his final fight, and the WBO super-welterweight title, to Sadam Ali. Due to a sudden allergic reaction, Liam was forced to pull out of a clash with Sadam Ali earlier this year. That gave unheralded replacement Munguia the chance to step in and shock Ali, scoring a significant upset and displaying intimidating power.
Now Smith gets his world title shot. He is expected to collide with Munguia in entertaining style.
“That fight’s on,” promoter Frank Warren told Boxing News. “It’s a tough fight. This guy, he’s the next big thing for them. He’s a big puncher, there’s no doubt about that. But as I always said, in boxing it’s not just about who’s the biggest puncher.”
“Liam’s a well schooled and well educated boxer. I really do rate him,” Warren continued. “This one he’ll be 100 per cent for. I think styles make fight. This guy, although it’ll be a tough fight, I think it’ll be Liam’s fight.”
Smith is delighted the fight got made. “I’m buzzing. Obviously I was always told it was going to happen but from a fighter’s point of view you’ll always have that bit of doubt that from their [the Jaime Munguia team] point of view they’ll try and shift me and try go a different route. But everyone stuck to their guns, Frank [Warren], my management team, all stuck to their guns and pushed the WBO, and the WBO have been fair. It was a legitimate injury, I’ve never messed anyone about, I’ve never pulled out from a fight in nine years, not a fourrounder, six-rounder, I’ve never pulled out of a fight at any level. I think everybody saw sense and the WBO stuck to what they said as it was only a couple of days after Munguia won his title that they ordered me as the mandatory for him, so I’m happy with that and I’m buzzing to get my shot that I fully deserve to be honest,” he said.
Munguia promised solemnly, “I will defend my WBO title with pride and honour. See you in Vegas.”
The Mexican is a new-comer at the top level and Smith gave his appraisal of the champion: “He looks a good fighter, it looks as though he can do almost everything, he looks like he can punch, he can box, brawl, he’s big for the weight so he looks good, he looks dangerous. But it doesn’t take a genius to realise I’m the best boxer he’s fought. I know he said that himself and I’m confident going in there. I’ve seen him blow a few people away but again, I think I’m better than all the people he’s fought. I’m experienced at every level, I’ve fought British title to world champions and obviously I fought Canelo in front of that many Mexican fans. I’m experienced at every level and that puts me in good stead.
“When we are in there I’m the experienced one, as much as he’s the champion he hasn’t fought anyone better than me. I have fought better than him, let’s put it that way.
“I think it will be a very exciting fight, a lot more than it would be with Sadam Ali. I know I’m going to have to bite down [on my gumshield] many, many, times but it’s something I’m willing to do and believe me when I say more questions will be asked of Munguia than it will be of me in this fight. Everyone knows the fight and the grit I’ve got and toughness but we’re yet to ask those questions of Munguia, but believe me I’ll ask them questions.”
‘IT DOESN’T TAKE A GENIUS TO REALISE I’M THE BEST HE’S FOUGHT’