Liam Smith Talks Career, Rios vs. Murray, Crolla, More
By Terence Dooley
Liam Smith looked impressive when delivering a one-two of stoppage victories in September and October – Barrie Jones and Gerard Healey in three and one respectively – that featured impressive shot picking and body punching by the Liverpool-based prospect.
Smith moved to 8-0-1 (4) courtesy of the Healey win after producing a left hook to the body that had many in attendance purring and which Smith attributed to a family tradition of brutal body punching.
“It was sound,” he said as he weighed up the Healey win during a recent conversation with Boxingscene.com. “I couldn’t have asked for more. I recently had an operation on it (the left hand) funnily enough. I’ve always had a good left hook, everyone in the family as; we all throw it well from my dad all the way down to (younger brother) Callum.
“I’ve always been able to throw body shots. They came off well that night but they’ll be nights in the future where things don’t come off, when you win scrappy and have people calling you. The last two performances have been good; things I’ve worked on came out perfect on the night.
“Now I hope to get out twice before the end of the year. I wouldn’t mind getting on the [Anthony] Crolla [versus Willie Limond] bill as Crolla’s my gym mate and it would be nice to give him a bit of company. If not, I’ll be out in December.”
‘Beefy’ intends to box for titles at welterweight. However, the 23-year-old is not shouting out any names just yet, leaving FWP matchmaker Dean Powell and trainer Joe Gallagher to plot his future over the coming years.
“I’ve got everyone in mind but it is whether or not Joe has the same names in mind,” his response when asked who he would like to meet in 2012. “Joe knows where I’m at. I think I can beat guys but you see people getting rushed. If it weren’t for the people around me who know boxing then I’d be trying to call out everyone. I’m not stupid, I know where I’m going and how long it will take to get there.”
Jones is a former British welterweight title challenger; Kell Brook defeated the Welshman in seven when defending the belt in June 2008. Barrie was on a run of five losses going into the Smith fight, two of them were by TKO, against Craig Watson and Jason Cook, giving Smith an indication of how well he is progressing since dropping a draw to Terry Carruthers in September of last year.
“The Jones fight was perfect because we had a southpaw and had worked things out. I caught him with a perfect body shot to end it after a good three rounds,” stated Smith, who is enjoying his time at Gallagher’s Gym.
“The gym is buzzing,” he enthused. “All the lads are enjoying it. We’re all close, have good banter and look forward to going to the gym. I really look forward to the hard days because we go there together and stay in Bolton after the session before going for our runs. Those are the days I look forward to because I’m with the lads and my brothers (Paul, Stephen and Callum) all day.
“I’m sparring Crolla and John Murray – I can jab so that prepares Crolla for Limond and can box on the inside to help John prepare for [WBA lightweight titlist Brandon] Rios. I’m a bit heavier but you wouldn’t tell that from sparring because they hold their own.”
‘Million Dollar’ makes the maiden defence of his British 135lb belt on November 25th. Murray tackles Rios in New York’s Madison Square Garden on December 3rd. Smith believes that both boxers can emerge with a W.
“I think it will be like the John Watson fight [an eighth round KO win for Anthony],” his take on Crolla-Limond. “You will struggle to find a lightweight to handle Crolla over the next few years because he’s so strong, in my eyes he is genuine world class and will prove it.
“John’s coming off a loss against Kevin Mitchell but Kevin can punch. John thought it was getting a bit too easy, he went a bit gung-ho and neglected defence – over the first four rounds people had him winning that fight.
“Mitchell won that one on his legs (movement) because he can box. Brandon hasn’t got legs and is always in a fight. John has got better variety than Rios but Brandon’s very strong. I really do think John has got a chance if his variety works for him and he deals with the strength.”
If Liam produces a few more impressive wins in 2012 the 2008 ABA light-welterweight’s championship class stablemates will be discussing his title outings.
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