Paul Smith....Flying under the Radar?

[lurkyshaka]

An article i've written on Paul Smith, covering his career and the possibility that he may fight Degale.

http://www.livefight.com/news.php?news_ ... =2010&m=10



Paul Smith....Flying under the Radar?


Britain has traditionally been strongly represented in the Super-middleweight(168) weight class, with fighters such as Nigel Benn, Chris Eubank and of course Joe Calzaghe plying their trade with great success at the weight.

And now as then we find that Britain again boasts a strong line-up of talent at super-middle, varying from established world championship calibre fighters, to talented but still largely untested potential stars.

Currently on the world scene Carl Froch has been flying to flag in the Super 6 tournament, the brainchild of American TV network Showtime which has been a major shot in the arm for the sport. Froch has proven over the last few years to be a worthy successor to the likes of Benn, Eubank and Calzaghe but there are others waiting in the wings to join him on the highest level.

In truth Britain is spoilt for choice...the question is who gets to fulfil their potential and join Froch on the world stage?

One such fighter with lofty aspirations is the current British champion Paul Smith or Smigga as his friends like to call him. But while other prospects such as Olympic Gold medallist James DeGale and his bitter rival George Groves have been paraded with much fanfare, Smith's rise has been more of a slow burner....but he may now be ready to make a move!

Smith was a successful and well travelled amateur, before representing his country at the Manchester commonwealth games, taking home a silver medal and only losing out to the Canadian and current professional light-heavy champion Jean Pascal by 2 points in the final.

After his unpaid career, it was inevitable that Paul would turn professional and he duly did with allegedly, making his professional bow against journeyman Howard Clarke in April 2003 taking a 4 round decision.

Since then Smith has advanced to a record of 29-1 with 15 wins coming ahead of schedule.


A harder hitter than his record may suggest, Smith first grabbed some mainstream professional attention in series 3 of the American boxing show 'The Contender' In the show a selection of boxers were pitted against each other in a mini-elimination style tournament, whilst camera's followed their every move through training camp and various team competitions.

In the programme Smith's down to earth, dry British humour and rivalry with loud mouth American David Banks came over well and his profile received a much needed boost. Unfortunately the tournament as a whole was a disappointment for him when he found himself eliminated due to the system in place, despite winning his bout against the aformentioned Banks.

But heading home after his American adventure, Paul still had his unbeaten record intact and earned high praise from the likes of Sugar Ray Leonard, Pepe Correa and Buddy McGirt. Indeed McGirt was suitably impressed to such a degree that he joined Paul's team as coach.

On his return to Britain Smith picked up the vacant English middleweight title with a 6th round stoppage of the dangerous but inconsistent Cello Renda. However what momentum Smith had gotten going was soon stalled when he was surprisingly upset against Coventry's Steve Bendall on a 10 round decision. That defeat signalled the end of Paul's professional relationship with McGirt and left him needing to regroup.

Following that sole reversal, Smith decided on a rise in weight and joined the Super-middleweight ranks. And while the opposition wasn't too threatening he soon picked up a vacant minor WBA strap and set sights on the domestic 168 crown. But there followed a frustrating time as Paul had to play a waiting game, while fellow scousers Tony Quigley and Tony Dodson battled for the title vacated by Irishman Brian Magee. However patience proved a virtue and Smith finally got his shot in October of last year, and he took it taking a 12 round Split decision over Quigley in a bruising affair.

Things didn't get any easier in his first defense when he suffered a horrible cut on his eyelid in the 1st round of his bout against Tony Dodson. Although caused by a head clash, under British rules Smith would have lost his belt had the fight been stopped. Things got worse before they got better when he suffered a second cut around the same left eye. But fortunately for Smith he has quite possibly the best cutsman in the world on his side in Mick Williamson, and Mick was able to somehow control the cuts. In truth it was an ugly, mauling battle. But Smith again ground out the win and was happy to take a Unanimous decision.

With the two Tony's sent packing, Paul announced he'd not be facing anymore Scousers and was moving on with his career....but as we fast forward to the present day Paul has again been playing the waiting game and planned defenses of his domestic crown have fallen by the wayside for a variety of reasons.

No question its been a difficult time, and both Paul and his fans have been frustrated at the lack of progress and opportunities. While British rivals James Degale and George Groves have been making rapid strides, Paul Smith has been waiting and waiting.....with much of the media attention around the British 168 scene focusing on the intense and bitter rivalry between Degale and Groves. While the novice prospects have been tossing insults each others way, and grabbing the headlines, the British king has been forced to kick his heels.


Away from the ring Smith is an avid Liverpool FC fan, and like one of his hero's Mike Tyson, finds both contentment and pleasure from keeping racing pigeons. He's also a club DJ and co-wrote the song 'Better than life' for liverpool Electro/house band Ultrabeat. They do say variety is the spice of life and Paul seems to go along with that theory.

He comes from a close boxing family, with younger brother Stephen recently winning the Commonwealth featherweight title. So boxing is very much in the blood.

It is somewhat surprising the lack of attention Smith has received during his career, especially surprising considering he was a successful amateur and always comes across as level headed and genuine, with glimpses of the dry scouse humour never too far away. But while other fighters actively seek out spotlight and indeed crave it, Paul doesn't court publicity and maybe thats why the more casual fans are not as aware of him as perhaps they should be. The hardcore element have always known, but its time his worth was recognised by a wider audience. For too long now he's been flying just under the radar.......


But could all that be about to change?




Following Olympic champion Degale's most recent fight, a one round pasting of Carl Dilks on the Magnificent 7 supercard. His promoter allegedly called for George Groves to take a spot on his December anniversary show, and settle his differences with Degale. A 48 hour deadline was imposed by Warren for Groves to agree terms, and while a counter offer was fired back from Groves promoter Hayemaker offering a December fight on one of their shows, all has now gone quiet. Seems Degale/Groves will not be happening anytime soon.


But with the absence of a Degale/Groves fight on his December card, Warren has been left searching for an opponent for Degale and since 'chunky' demands the fast track career approach....is it possible Paul Smith could swoop in and get the chance to gatecrash mainstream attention? Seems a straight forward enough fight to make with both Smith and Degale being promoted by Warren, but would Frank risk pitting two of his men against the other.....Who knows?

But what is quite clear is it would be an intriguing fight. A clash of styles and personality, with the talkative arrogance of Degale being poles apart from the straight to the point manner of Smith. The flash of Degale and the tough effectiveness of Smith. A breakout battle for both.

Boxing fans and fighters alike quickly get used to disappointment with so many potential battles falling by the wayside, and some fighters suffer more than most. But maybe, just maybe the patience of Paul Smith will be rewarded with the major opportunity he craves. Finally coming into view......maybe their is something to be said for the stealth approach after all!

Under the radar and with all guns blazing?......Perhaps the next chapter of Paul 'smigga' Smith's career is about to begin.

[stevek3lly]

Good article Lurky.

I am a big fan of Paul Smith (well untill I read he co-wrote a song for Ultrabeat, that's bad) and hope this fight happens and he can show us how good he is.

[balance]

Good article Lurky.

I am a big fan of Paul Smith (well untill I read he co-wrote a song for Ultrabeat, that's bad) and hope this fight happens and he can show us how good he is.

He showed us how good he is already. And it's not going to be good enough to beat James Degale.

[stevek3lly]

Good article Lurky.

I am a big fan of Paul Smith (well untill I read he co-wrote a song for Ultrabeat, that's bad) and hope this fight happens and he can show us how good he is.

He showed us how good he is already. And it's not going to be good enough to beat James Degale.

Welcome to the forum Balance. Maybe Paul could get beat, but I am still routing for him. Degale has not been in against anyone who has tested him or pressured him as yet and I think Paul is the man to do so. Then we will see if Degale is the real thing or not. Still don't like him though.

[TheCobra]

Good article Lurky.

I am a big fan of Paul Smith (well untill I read he co-wrote a song for Ultrabeat, that's bad) and hope this fight happens and he can show us how good he is.

He showed us how good he is already. And it's not going to be good enough to beat James Degale.

Welcome to the forum Balance. Maybe Paul could get beat, but I am still routing for him. Degale has not been in against anyone who has tested him or pressured him as yet and I think Paul is the man to do so. Then we will see if Degale is the real thing or not. Still don't like him though.

DeGale is a prick, Paul Smith is a nice lad we can all tell that from his posts on here. But ultimately I think unfortunately DeGale is the guy with the natural assets to win this with his speed and (sometimes unorthodox) skills. SMith will be a much bigger test than Dilks was though, so I would love to see them fight.

[stevek3lly]

Some good points Cobra. Lets just wait and see if this happens now.

[lurkyshaka]

Good article Lurky.

I am a big fan of Paul Smith (well untill I read he co-wrote a song for Ultrabeat, that's bad) and hope this fight happens and he can show us how good he is.

Thanks mate,

Yeah it'd be a massive opportunity for Paul to leap right back into the mix, after suffering quite a run of bad luck in recent months. Others have leapfrogged him in the profile stakes basically because they've been more vocal. But in terms of actual wins, Smith has fought good competition and has certainly gathered some useful experience along the way.

We don't really find out about any fighter till they've come through a rough patch or two, and Paul has come through some difficult moments where others have yet to be asked any real questions.

It'd be a proper fight for both....where they'd get a genuine chance to show their worth, Hopefully it happens!

[Deserter]

For me, the big question about Smith that we still don't know yet, is whether it's the case that the better the opponent, the better he performs. In his 'major' outings to date, he seems to almost fight down to the level of opponent rather than really impose himself. Hence the majority feel we haven't seen the best of him yet and there is untapped potential. If the Degale match is made, we'll find out for the first time whether that is indeed the case....

[SweetLikeSugar]

For me, the big question about Smith that we still don't know yet, is whether it's the case that the better the opponent, the better he performs. In his 'major' outings to date, he seems to almost fight down to the level of opponent rather than really impose himself. Hence the majority feel we haven't seen the best of him yet and there is untapped potential. If the Degale match is made, we'll find out for the first time whether that is indeed the case....

Spot on.

[SexySouthPaw]

Frank will pay him a sh*tload to face Degale,he will get beat because Degale is supposed to be the hot ticket right now,although I am yet to be convinced.And as Degale and Smith are managed by the same person ,Frank,I suppose he had no choice.
Maybe if he had the right advice/manager he could have won the lonsdale belt outright,Paul David would have been a hard fight but Smith would have scraped through,which leaves one more defence.Although Degale won an eliminator he has to face the winner of Quigley v Anderson (to become mandatory) which doesnt seem to be happening anytime soon.So really Smith could have declined the fight and thought about prolonging his career instead of advancing Degales,look what happened to Enzo when he fought Haye! It makes u wonder why Frank made that fight instead of doing what he did with Calzaghe and protecting his fighter for about 15 fights or so,Enzo is now finished.While if Smigga gets beat he will propping up his brothers fights on the undercard if he can get motivated to start again.

[lurkyshaka]

For me, the big question about Smith that we still don't know yet, is whether it's the case that the better the opponent, the better he performs. In his 'major' outings to date, he seems to almost fight down to the level of opponent rather than really impose himself. Hence the majority feel we haven't seen the best of him yet and there is untapped potential. If the Degale match is made, we'll find out for the first time whether that is indeed the case....

Yeah good call, either way this fight would provide some much needed answers about both fighters and their true potential.

[dondada]

For me, the big question about Smith that we still don't know yet, is whether it's the case that the better the opponent, the better he performs. In his 'major' outings to date, he seems to almost fight down to the level of opponent rather than really impose himself. Hence the majority feel we haven't seen the best of him yet and there is untapped potential. If the Degale match is made, we'll find out for the first time whether that is indeed the case....

Correct. If anyone's ever done a sport to even a half decent level, you know you can often play down or up to the level required at times.

I hope Smigga is one of these.

[Wrists]

Same here - I reckon Smith is loads better than we have seen so far, I would take him to beat Magee easily for example.

The problem is Degale I reckon is as they say 'mustard'. He is the future of British boxing for me without a doubt