HE’S READY AND ABLE
Kieran’s bid for WBC Welterweight title
Greenrigg boxer Kieran Smith says he’s “ready” to claim the first belt of his professional career as he bids for the WBC International Silver Super Welterweight title against Evaldas Korsakas in Glasgow on Friday.
The 25-year-old, who boasts a 12-0 record as a pro defeated the Lithuanian earlier in his career so says he has the psychological edge over his opponent when they step into the ring at the Emirates Arena.
Smith told the Courier: “This is my first title bout as a pro so I can’t wait to get in the ring. I’m ready for the challenge and to take that next step. I’ve had a very good training camp and I’m now just raring to go.
“Korsakas isn’t anything new to me because I beat him earlier in my career so I think that I’ve got the edge going into the fight. He’s going to be a different boxer now than he was the last time and he has a higher world ranking than me so it’s going to be a challenge.
“But I’m also a different boxer myself so there’s no fear at all from me. I just have to make sure that I don’t get hit with a sucker punch. I’ve watched lots of him and he’s a very good boxer. He’ll be a tough guy to beat, but I know that’s the same for me as well.”
The MTK Global star added: “These are the sort of bouts I’ve been wanting to be involved in so it’s up to me to make the most of it.
“Training camp has been going really well and the concentration now is on making the weight and being in the best shape possible when I get into the ring.”
It’s been a frantic spell for ‘Chopper’, who was last in the ring only four weeks ago when he knocked out Pavol Garaj inside a minute at the SSE Hydro, but he says it’s necessary for him to achieve his goals.
He commented: “I’ve been training almost non-stop for 22 weeks now, but that’s the sacrifices I felt I had to make in order to be at this stage of my career and getting title bouts.
“The last bout was basically incorporated into this training camp to get me out there and in the ring before the big one.
“I’ll take a couple of weeks off after this - and the break would be all the sweeter if I’ve got that belt - and then get back on it.
“I’m a bit of a gym rat so I honestly don’t really enjoy taking too long a break but this one will have been well earned.
“All going well I’ll be back defending my title in March next year.”
This is my first title bout as a pro so I can’t wait to get in the ring. I’m ready for the challenge and to take the next step. I’ve had a very good training camp and now I’m raring to go Kieran Smith