Liam "Beefy" Smith (26-1-1, 14 KOs) will get the opportunity to reclaim his WBO junior middleweight title when he challenges newly crowned champion Jaime Munguia (29-0, 25 KOs) on July 21.
Their mandatory fight takes place at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The fight will be televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.
Earlier this year, Munguia came in as a late placement and demolished Sadam Ali in four rounds to capture the WBO crown.
Initially, Smith was scheduled to face Ali on that date, but he withdrew with an illness - and that created the window to allow Munguia to grab the world title opportunity on short notice.
The only person to defeat Smith, is two-division champion Saul "Canelo" Alvarez.
Smith has a lot of respect for Munguia's skills. He intends to test the Mexican boxer's skills, because he's not convinced that he's been properly tested in the ring.
"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," Smith told Boxing News.
"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 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."
