paul smith out of 7th december show?

[lefty]

1) Smith had a good chance in that fight because he is gutsy and always comes to win. But let's not pretend he was the "home" fighter. He was sent down to London for a start. Smith was an employee and it was obvious Groves was being groomed for bigger things, especially after he'd beaten Degale whom had beaten Smith in his previous fight (another that he was supposed to lose). Jeez did I really have to write that explanation out ?

2)Your comparing the apprentice wages of the first year of someone's career with someone perhaps in the latter stages of theirs. And still it's probably comparable. Is that really a good indicator for Paul's final and retired bank balance?

3)What about the stunning girl I used to shag senseless when I was 17 who then added 6 stone and her teeth fell out ? yeah well unfortunately I married her , but Paul seems to seeking a divorce. My point is circumstances change. And when his kids want to go Disneyland again does he sit them down as say "Kids, loyalty is more important than going to Disney ok? when you grow up you need to be an obedient slave to your corporate masters" or does he say to Eddie Hearn "Try and avoid that week for the big fight Eddie as me and the family are going out to see our villa in Florida for the first time."

To be fair Smith doesnt deserve any special treatment. All this talk of Smith deserving a world title shot is laughable really. He lost to Degale who was having his 9th pro fight ffs! He didnt just lose either, he got dominated! He then proceeded to get knocked out in his fight with Groves who was also a novice.

Though to be fair to Smith both Groves and DeGale are special talents (at domestic/euro level), losing to both of those doesn't mean he's crap; DeGale will do really well I'm sure and Groves can hurt anyone he hits. In fairness Smith must be in a difficult position; his brother will be moaning, there will be all sorts behind the scenes we don't know about and Paul Smith may feel forced into making a 'statement'/action. Smith by any reasonable judgement does not 'deserve' a world title shot (when has it come to deserts?) but he's done well.

Oh im not saying he's crap by any means as he's clearly a top domestic/ possibly european level fighter. I just think the world title talk is silly. He hasnt done anything to deserve it. Im sure Callum would probably beat him now aswell to be honest. I think him and Fielding would be a good fight though.

[lefty]

I don't know him or what has gone off.

But if I was throwing in my opinion (like everyone else on this topic) I would say that Paul seemed very close to Dean Powell and now he is longer around, perhaps he no longer has that rapport with the rest of them. I arrive at that conclusion by the fact Frank says he never even rang him.

Throw into the mix the situation with his brother and there you go. Blood is thicker than water.

With regards the "I promoted him for ten years" well that's about 2 or 3 dissolved companies in that period. I guess that he's now been passed over to Queensbury perhaps that contract is not bullet proof if he has walked.

Where would Paul fit in at matchroom ? well I guess fights with Rocky Fielding and so forth are all geographically interesting. There is the lower tier of world class which is very healthy indeed with Stieglitz , Abraham, Bika et all in there along with 2 world titles. Domestic rematches with Groves or Degale and then the wider european and world stage.

Or even opportunities down at middleweight, which is extremely strong in the UK with Barker, Murray, Andy Lee, Macklin.

Paul Smith is a useful fighter for a promoter when you think about it if utilised properly.

Fielding aside, I can't see any of those fights happening. Bika would need US TV onboard and I doubt they would be, Abraham and Stieglitz are taking easy fights until a potential rematch. Neither DeGale or Groves is signed with Matchroom or would be interested in a rematch and he holds nothing for Barker, Murray, Macklin and Lee.

Bika is fighting Anthony Dirrell in December. He'll probably lose that fight to be honest.

[DMA1987]

Let's look at what your saying:-

2011 he was fed to George Groves

2012 he fought Tommy Tolan (4-12-1)

2013 he boxed Dodson on a Matchroom show.

Hardly great is it ? and this "Home" comment, in the same space of time Rocky Fielding has boxed NINE times at the liverpool olympia alone, plus sheff, glasgow etc.

The reality is that Callum has had more fights and paydays than Stephen, Paul and Liam added together.

The only reason the Dodson fight ended up on a Matchroom show was Dodson, Warren won the purse bids, but when the show was pushed back 13 days, Dodson wouldn't have it and it was passed over to the second bidder and he actually fought a day later and unless Matchroom paid him more than they bid, lost himself money in the process.

And why was it pushed back 13 days? Because his promoters show fell through for a change.

[Jack B]

I don't know him or what has gone off.

But if I was throwing in my opinion (like everyone else on this topic) I would say that Paul seemed very close to Dean Powell and now he is longer around, perhaps he no longer has that rapport with the rest of them. I arrive at that conclusion by the fact Frank says he never even rang him.

Throw into the mix the situation with his brother and there you go. Blood is thicker than water.

With regards the "I promoted him for ten years" well that's about 2 or 3 dissolved companies in that period. I guess that he's now been passed over to Queensbury perhaps that contract is not bullet proof if he has walked.

Where would Paul fit in at matchroom ? well I guess fights with Rocky Fielding and so forth are all geographically interesting. There is the lower tier of world class which is very healthy indeed with Stieglitz , Abraham, Bika et all in there along with 2 world titles. Domestic rematches with Groves or Degale and then the wider european and world stage.

Or even opportunities down at middleweight, which is extremely strong in the UK with Barker, Murray, Andy Lee, Macklin.

Paul Smith is a useful fighter for a promoter when you think about it if utilised properly.

Fielding aside, I can't see any of those fights happening. Bika would need US TV onboard and I doubt they would be, Abraham and Stieglitz are taking easy fights until a potential rematch. Neither DeGale or Groves is signed with Matchroom or would be interested in a rematch and he holds nothing for Barker, Murray, Macklin and Lee.

To be honest, I think Abraham or Stieglitz would class Smith (in Germany) as an 'easy' fight, so I don't think it's out of the question that he'd get a WBO shot on that basis.

[hurlock]

He's got a decent ranking & record & has been stopped by two upcoming prospects.so he's seen as low risk & a gauge if you like.
Boxing is a buisness & smith slots in there with unwarranted opurtunitys.

[iamasadlittleboy]

Smith, like Kevin Mitchell, seemed to have this over-inflated reputation based on the fact they could sell tickets with out really having the talented they (and many others for that matter) believed they had. I dare say that Warren looked out for him due to his ability to sell tickets though with just a few fights left in him maybe he feels he wants a bigger payday or two from someone else, especially with the issue of his brother looming (which in all honesty seemed like a BS move by Stephen IF Stephen did sign to fight on the December card)

[mickey1975]

Paul demanded the fight with George. He wasn't going in as a victim. He was truly convinced he was going to chin him. The shot George hit him with would have knocked anyone out.

[lefty]

Paul demanded the fight with George. He wasn't going in as a victim. He was truly convinced he was going to chin him. The shot George hit him with would have knocked anyone out.

We dont know that for definite but I see your point.

[hurlock]

The shot groves nailed smith with was a great shot & it would of floored many, smith made it up but was rightly not allowed to continue. In America they would of let him continue & possibly been seriously hurt.
Wether a world class opponent would get nailed like smith who was in retrospect plodding forward gallantly tring to cause a dent in groves.

I think froch has to be diligent early on & I really feel groves is dangerous early on.thing is froch can regroup & groves as brave as he is cant.

[wrimc]

Smith is one of those that you have to accept isnt a top level boxer but he is a very good level. Well managed and with the right fights he could have and may still get some Euro/fringe world level fights under his belt.

I think its a shame that outside of the contender Smith has never really challenged anybody outside of domestic class.

[WelshJack]

Smith has been doing analysis on sky sports aswell that people seem to be forgetting.

[The_Don1]

Smith is one of those that you have to accept isnt a top level boxer but he is a very good level. Well managed and with the right fights he could have and may still get some Euro/fringe world level fights under his belt.

I think its a shame that outside of the contender Smith has never really challenged anybody outside of domestic class.

^^^^
This.

If anyone thinks Paul Smith has a chance of winning a world title they need their head testing, I've only ever seen him perform well in one of his fights - that was against Dodson who is well past it these days.

[bripez]

Smith is one of those that you have to accept isnt a top level boxer but he is a very good level. Well managed and with the right fights he could have and may still get some Euro/fringe world level fights under his belt.

I think its a shame that outside of the contender Smith has never really challenged anybody outside of domestic class.

^^^^
This.

If anyone thinks Paul Smith has a chance of winning a world title they need their head testing, I've only ever seen him perform well in one of his fights - that was against Dodson who is well past it these days.

I agree with the above - however, Smith has been a pro for over 10 years and I believe that if he was going to make a move at a higher level he would have done so by now.

I believe that he has always been a good ticket seller and was happy to box lower level domestic opposition for a good salary from FW (he was paid a salary and not a purse per fight).

[palooka]

Smith is one of those that you have to accept isnt a top level boxer but he is a very good level. Well managed and with the right fights he could have and may still get some Euro/fringe world level fights under his belt.

I think its a shame that outside of the contender Smith has never really challenged anybody outside of domestic class.

^^^^
This.

If anyone thinks Paul Smith has a chance of winning a world title they need their head testing, I've only ever seen him perform well in one of his fights - that was against Dodson who is well past it these days.

I agree with the above - however, Smith has been a pro for over 10 years and I believe that if he was going to make a move at a higher level he would have done so by now.

I believe that he has always been a good ticket seller and was happy to box lower level domestic opposition for a good salary from FW (he was paid a salary and not a purse per fight).

He's never really seemed to be chomping at the bit, that may be a reason for it, if you're getting pretty much the same regardless of the level of boxer you're facing you may as well tread water - he looks devastating v boxers a level below him and has a struggle with those on a similar level.