By Phil D. Jay
Welterweight prospect Liam Smith (6-0-1, 2 KO’s) has missed out on a Central Area title shot on June 11th after breaking a knuckle in sparring. The 22 year-old brother of British and Commonwealth featherweight champion Stephen Smith now faces a lengthy spell out of the ring afte fighting just seven times in three years as a pro.
Smith underwent a surgical procedure earlier in the week to correct the problem, which is not expected to cause him any more trouble once the injury heals. The Scouser is understandably frustrated after being out of the ring since December.
“I was sparring Joe Selkirk the day after Stephen (featherweight brother) won the British title and caught him on top of the head,” Smith told The Liverpool Echo.
“The worst thing was Dean Powell rang that night and offered me a fight for the Central Area title against Rick Godding on the June 11 bill at The Olympia because (current champion Chris) Johnson was ready to vacate if he successfully defended against Neil Beevers last Friday, which he did.
“It would have been an ideal fight for me.
“I’ve been pushing for that title fight for a while now but can’t see myself boxing until September.
“I can’t even get on the July 9 show in London.
“But Dean has said once I’m fit enough to do shadow and running again we’ll then get back into it because we can then prove to the British Boxing Board of Control that I’m a welterweight,” he added.
Phil D. Jay covers the boxing scene for worldboxingnews.net