By Terence Dooley
WBO Super middleweight titlist Arthur Abraham and British 168lb champion Paul Smith spent some time on the dais today to promote their February 21st world title rematch.
They will meet at Berlin’s O2 World arena to settle the lingering issues from their first fight, which Abraham won on points in Kiel on September 27. However, the widely lopsided scoring stirred enough controversy to make the rematch a viable option for bothmen. The rematch will be shown live on Sky Sports here in the U.K.; Sat1 will provide the German broadcast.
“This business is about filling public demand,” said Kelle Sauerland, Abraham's promoter. “There were a lot of messages the morning after this fight.” Abraham, 41-4 (28), reiterated that he had made good on his promise to grant Smith a return bout. “Everyone in Liverpool likes boxing,” stated the 34-year-old title-holder. “After the first fight, I promised a rematch and now here we are.”
Eddie Hearn, Smith’s promoter, praised both Sauerland Promotions and Abraham for keeping their word. “This fight was built out of controversy,” he said. “I take my hat off to them.”
Smith, 35-4 (20 early), called long and hard for a second chance; the 32-year-old believes that his performance in the first fight proved that he belongs at world title level. “The last fight was about whether I could handle myself at that level, now I know I can,” he said. “It’s the biggest night in my career.”
Many have predicted another distance fight. Joe Gallagher, the trainer of Smith, disagrees, claiming that his man will stop Abraham by the halfway mark as: “There is no way we are getting a decision (in Germany)—Smith needs to knock him out.”
Another factor is that the fighters will have to train over the festive period, when temptation is rife, but Smith has told Sky Sports that turkey with all the trimmings will be put on hold until he is world champion. He said: “Christmas is a small price to pay, it comes round every year—world title fights don’t. Some fighters don’t get them in their career, full stop.”
Smith revealed earlier this week that there is a rematch clause in place, as was the case with their first fight, but WBO Regulation 18 prohibits immediate returns unless: ‘[R]ecommended by the World Championship Committee and authorized by the Executive Committee.’ The WBO sanctioned the this one due to the wide scorecards, but, should Smith win, a return of the return may not be sanctioned, rematch clause or not.
Still, the WBO also state that: ‘The World Championship Committee may recommend a direct return fight for any other circumstance; in that event a direct return fight shall only be authorized by the affirmative vote of not less than 75% of the Executive Committee.’ The trilogy’s still on, then.
Sauerland also revealed that Liverpool’s David Price, 31, will feature on the Berlin bill. He said: “Price's opponent will be announced before Christmas.”
“I stalled in the second half of the year, but I’m happy to be part of such a big event,” added Price, 18-2 (15). “I’m looking forward to a step up on February 21st.”
“We said we will step Price up when he is ready, now he is in that place,” vowed Sauerland.
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