How good can Paul Smith be?

JLM · Post by **JLM** » 31 Mar 2008, 23:02

I’ve only followed boxing for a little while, Paul Smith was on the first card I ever watched and he looked impressive (and everyone was saying he’s the next big thing) so I’ve followed his career since. I think since then he’s shown in patches that he’s got a lot of talent but he sometimes seems afraid to use it for whatever reason. Is that a fair assessment?

Plus, on the last contender he seemed to impress the hell out of everyone in the gym but then struggled to get going in the ring against a gatekeeper type of opponent. Is that a bit like Howard Eastman? In your opinions is his slow progress as a pro something that can or will be remedied?

Asterix · Post by **Asterix** » 01 Apr 2008, 02:52

I've watched his fights from the Contender onwards, and it seems like he is a consistent under performer. But as long as he keeps on winning, I guess that's what matters. Maybe he'll turn it up against better competition. The only way we'll know is if he makes the step up.

My personal opinion, at this moment in time, is that Paul Smith will not get a World title. I'd like him to prove me wrong though.

Poncey · Post by **Poncey** » 01 Apr 2008, 03:15

I'm a big fan of Smigga, and followed all his fights on the Contender after haring how good he was from others. It's just a shame most of his fights were up t'North.

I thought he was a little scrappy against Renda, which I went to see, but that might have been due to his opponent. When he stepped it up in the fight he was really impressive although his defence was a little low at times.

I'd like to see him fight Elcock within a year.

gb · Post by gb » 01 Apr 2008, 05:37

In saw the Renda fight live. Renda had been stopped early on a few occasions and it took Smith quite a while to break him down. He didn't look exactly trim either. Can't see him doing much beyond domestic level.

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 01 Apr 2008, 05:41

There are at least four 160 and 154-pounders in this country that are a lot better than him.

Captain Hook · Post by **Captain Hook** » 01 Apr 2008, 08:15

probably Euro level at best....at a push

Old bones Ian · Post by **Old bones Ian** » 01 Apr 2008, 08:23

In the contender when he fought Banks he let his emotions get in the way, and was trying to load up to much on his punches.
Against Renda he seemed to be to laid back and not switched on.

So a mix of the 2 is what he needs, have to see what happens when he takes on Elcock or Barker.
Of the 2 i'd pick him over Barker, just

Max Molyneux · Post by **Max Molyneux** » 01 Apr 2008, 08:24

He's not been as agressive recently since he went on the contender, wonder what he\s upto with McGirt.

Dirk Kelly · Post by **Dirk Kelly** » 01 Apr 2008, 08:41

I had never seem him fight until his effort on the Haye vs. Enzo undercard and I wasn't impressed at all. He seemed quite lazy and lethargic, with no real urgency or defence despite being him with a puncher.

I would say he'll fall short of maybe British level. Reminded me alot of Ross Minter for some reason.

SticknMove · Post by **SticknMove** » 01 Apr 2008, 09:48

I have been disappointed with Smith the last couple of fights that I have seen him. Saw him a few times before that and he appeared to be a fighter that liked to get into a bit of a tear up.

Maybe McGirt is trying to get him to adjust his style into more of a boxer, thinking ahead to bigger challenges. I noticed during the Renda fight he kept telling Smith ‘to box this kid’. Perhaps there are teething problems in trying to get Smith to rein in his natural instincts as a fighter and make the necessary adjustments. Sometimes a fighter can get caught ‘betwixt and between’ and look bad in the process.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 01 Apr 2008, 10:21

Barker vs Smith I think is one of the most natural contests domestically out there.

David Banks is a good fighter - beaten recent world title challenger Elvin Ayala twice... so you have to wonder how close could Smith be from a surprise world title fight.

Looks a bit fleshy to me and I'd like to see him at Light Middle.

Asterix · Post by **Asterix** » 01 Apr 2008, 10:30

stujones wrote:Looks a bit fleshy to me and I'd like to see him at Light Middle.

If he could make it, I think he'd do a lot better there.

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 01 Apr 2008, 10:34

I've yet to be convinced, to be honest.

Fernzy · Post by **Fernzy** » 01 Apr 2008, 10:51

He's shown that he's got good skills and good powerI think he just needs to be a bit smarter in his fights, sometimes he gets a bit sloppy with his defence and ends up getting into unnecessary scraps.

whatashambles · Post by **whatashambles** » 01 Apr 2008, 10:52

Is Smith in the USA now that he is being trained by Buddy?

Zhuge · Post by **Zhuge** » 01 Apr 2008, 10:55

Here's another question -- what's with the nickname Smigga?

Asterix · Post by **Asterix** » 01 Apr 2008, 11:03

Zhuge wrote:Here's another question -- what's with the nickname Smigga?

Smith -> Smigga ?
Like Smith -> Smithy

That's my take.

Zhuge · Post by **Zhuge** » 01 Apr 2008, 12:06

Asterix wrote:
Zhuge wrote:Here's another question -- what's with the nickname Smigga?
Smith -> Smigga ?
Like Smith -> Smithy

That's my take.

I can see the whole Smith -> Smithy thing; but I'm not sure how it gets converted to Smigga.

Asterix · Post by **Asterix** » 01 Apr 2008, 12:53

Zhuge wrote:I can see the whole Smith -> Smithy thing; but I'm not sure how it gets converted to Smigga.

Maybe Smigga will pop by and explain it.

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 01 Apr 2008, 13:07

Was Smith's fight televised on the UK v USA Contender show, or was it one of the off-TV, non-deciding bouts?

The Maniac · Post by **The Maniac** » 01 Apr 2008, 15:14

Doesn't impress me one bit would love to see him face some tougher elite euro comp guys like Inkin, Froch, Typsko, Braehmer to see if he is really that good but haven't seen him perform up to his rep up to now.

Fernzy · Post by **Fernzy** » 01 Apr 2008, 15:27

The Maniac wrote:Doesn't impress me one bit would love to see him face some tougher elite euro comp guys like Inkin, Froch, Typsko, Braehmer to see if he is really that good but haven't seen him perform up to his rep up to now.

None of them are the same weight as him.

JCB123 · Post by **JCB123** » 01 Apr 2008, 16:01

I feel he still has a lot to learn & for him or his management to be talkin about 'world title' fights is grossly over ambitious.

He gets hit far too easy, which has been evident against opponents he should comfortably dispatch. Look at his last 4 fights at least & look at his face at the end of each fight. He is simply too easy to hit. Against better fighters who can punch i think he will come unstuck.

On the domestic scene i think Barker, Macklin & Ajetovic all beat him.

He and his management have to get past these fighters before talkin about world title fights, unless he wants to go down the joke of the WBU route!!

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 01 Apr 2008, 16:03

JCB123 wrote:I feel he still has a lot to learn & for him or his management to be talkin about 'world title' fights is grossly over ambitious.

He gets hit far too easy, which has been evident against opponents he should comfortably dispatch. Look at his last 4 fights at least & look at his face at the end of each fight. He is simply too easy to hit. Against better fighters who can punch i think he will come unstuck.

On the domestic scene i think Barker, Macklin & Ajetovic all beat him.

He and his management have to get past these fighters before talkin about world title fights, unless he wants to go down the joke of the WBU route!!

add Lockett to that list as well.

Spud · Post by **Spud** » 01 Apr 2008, 16:04

Personally I think he is a good fighter - as with all of us - he has improvements to make if he wants to make it onto the BIG stage.

domestically he has some tough competition in Barker, Macklin or Adjetovic but I have a feeling his promoter will keep him from all 3 of those fighters!!!

He could do alright for himself - make some money out of the sport and get the f*ck out of it - it is a bloody hard life to make a living!!!