Arthur Abraham vs Paul Smith 2

[handsofstone]

I actually had Smith winning the first fight 115-114,it was close and I wouldn't have argued either way,it wasn't the robbery Sky made out but the scorecards were too generous to Abraham,whether that's enough to warrant a rematch? Still I'm glad Paul got another shot as IMO he can compete with Arthur and has a real chance

In saying that I fancy Abraham to win again a little clearer than last time(although the actual scores may be closer) I expect him to fight at a higher pace than last time,he improved in the Miranda rematch and the Stieglitz rubber match and I think he'll fight with a bit more urgency,which for me lost him the first fight

Hopefully Smith can raise his game further too and not let Abraham pull away,if he genuinely believes he won last time then his mindset should be right

Smigga gets a lot of flak on here but I'm sure most people would rather see Abraham defend against him again rather than some Spaniard

[crusader]

I scored the first bout either 115-113 or 115-114 AA, but like you I think he wins more clearly this time. I recall that a poster here claimed before the fight that his camp didn't go well, and his subsequent performance was in line with that to me as he seemed to have less energy than usual and I don't think that was mainly down to what Smith was doing. I suspect that AA comes in better form this time and I question whether Smith can fight much better than he did.

Now I wonder if Nick Hailing will try to 'improve' on his performance and be even more of a Smith cheerleader than he was in their first bout.

[ShadrachSimmo]

I scored the first bout either 115-113 or 115-114 AA, but like you I think he wins more clearly this time. I recall that a poster here claimed before the fight that his camp didn't go well, and his subsequent performance was in line with that to me as he seemed to have less energy than usual and I don't think that was mainly down to what Smith was doing. I suspect that AA comes in better form this time and I question whether Smith can fight much better than he did.

Now I wonder if Nick Hailing will try to 'improve' on his performance and be even more of a Smith cheerleader than he was in their first bout.

Halling was a complete tit in the first fight. Fanboy sucking dick gone mad.

Rather unprofessional I may add

[Boxerbeetle]

1st fight was certainly close, I'd say Abraham won by no more than 2 rounds, although I didn't see any controversy in the verdict other than the wide scorecards. I expect Abraham to win more comfortably this time, but it wouldn't be the biggest surprise in the world if Smith pulled it off, Abraham hasn't looked great for years now.

[moogie101]

I had Abrahams by two, although there was a couple of close rounds in there as I recall. The only controversy was the generous judges, not the actual decision but it's been enough to get Paul back in there.

I hope Paul pulls it off, but I think Arthur does a job on him in the rematch either via a clear points margin (legit the time) or late stoppage.

[Stuarty]

I had AA winning the first fight by a couple rounds. I reckon he'll stop Smith this time but I hope I am wrong. Smith probably went into the first fight a bit apprehensive but this time round he knows he can hang with AA so I don't know if that will turn out to be a good thing or a bad thing tbh. I've read a few bits and pieces with Gallagher and Smith saying it's going to be a shoot out etc... I'm sure that is just a bit of kidology. I'm hoping Smith jabs and moves more and after the halfway point starts picking his moments.

It's a pity this clashes with the GGG v Murray fight. I'm hoping this card is done for 11pm then can switch to 5+1 and watch that whole card (or whatever ch5 decide to show us).

[cold187]

i had a dream smith ko'd abraham

thats the closest he'll get to the belt in reality

[hurlock]

It's going to be a good contest & smith is going to leave it all in there you can guarantee it.

[palooka]

Abraham may be there for the taking; I hope Smith does a number, he is a prickly so and so from time to time but he did really well last time and it'd be good if he got the win.

[SteveDow]

Hard to say really on this one. I think Smith fought as well as he could possibly have fought last time. I can't see him being any better and so it will come down to what Abraham has left. I'd favour Abraham slightly but I wouldn't be rushing to back him at 2/7.

[whiskey]

I had no problems with the result - just the scorecard.

In a way it's a blessing it happened, now Smith knows (in theory) what changes he has to make to be victorious.

But I did get the feeling Abraham was taking their first fight a little lightly.

[hurlock]

He never really used that left hook last time which will fold up AA as he was wincing & looking weak to the body badly!! But it will also leave Paul open. I am expecting fireworks & despite not liking smith I want to see him win this & defend it against a journeyman lol

[stujones]

Hard to call - when I originally heard about the rematch, I thought Smith might get it.... I think Smith can fight a bit better, I think he was slightly over cautious himself in the first fight and that is what possibly cost him ultimately on "proper" cards (e.g. not the official cards). As he said when the fight was made (or rumoured).... he now knows he can take his power, now knows he can do 12 rounds at this level, now knows he has the skill set to take on Abraham.

However, I've not heard Abraham ever been so vocal about a revenge job for a long time so perhaps he did have a bad camp. In saying this, he seems to often have "bad camps" cos his Taylor esque performances are few and far between these days.

[ajwesty13]

TBH It would be a shock if Smith wins in our eyes.. however i have no faith in the judging in germany the only way paul can bring the belt back is probably a KO...

[mickey1975]

TBH It would be a shock if Smith wins in our eyes.. however i have no faith in the judging in germany the only way paul can bring the belt back is probably a KO...

Or getting a third fight in England where the judges are worse than the Germans! I think we should stop throwing stones out of our glass house!

[danamba7]

TBH It would be a shock if Smith wins in our eyes.. however i have no faith in the judging in germany the only way paul can bring the belt back is probably a KO...

Or getting a third fight in England where the judges are worse than the Germans! I think we should stop throwing stones out of our glass house!

Worse!? Just as bad, yeah. But not worse!

[johnswan1]

Smith may think he needs a knockout to take the title. If he goes for it he will get sparked.

[mickey1975]

I wonder if the Scousers go on (and on) about the massive support Smith has, ignoring the fact most are there for Josh Warrington... He's done 400 himself. A guy I know who's going beat a Josh twice as an am and then went 3-0 pro before packing in.

[ajwesty13]

Or getting a third fight in England where the judges are worse than the Germans! I think we should stop throwing stones out of our glass house!

haha mick we aint that bad ... the German are notrious for bias judging ... we aren't the best but we are certainly not the worse

[expe]

I wonder if the Scousers go on (and on) about the massive support Smith has, ignoring the fact most are there for Josh Warrington... He's done 400 himself. A guy I know who's going beat a Josh twice as an am and then went 3-0 pro before packing in.

I think that's the only reason Warrington's on the bill, to try and pull in some extra support for Smith in the arena, even a lot of the Scousers that have gone over will be there for Price.

[MrJasonM]

Yeah it does seem an odd one that Warrington is on the bill. Maybe it is just for him to get experience fighting abroad but it could be that Hearn was worried about the number of brits that would be able to head over again for Smith so included Warrington to boost british support.

[mickey1975]

There's IFilm footage of Fast Eddie buying a round for a pub full of Leeds fans today. Eddie is going to milk this for all it's worth. I don't see Josh having a 50-50 for a while yet. For Hatton/WBU/MEN see Warrington/EU/Leeds Arena.

[Stuarty]

Best of luck to Paul Smith tomorrow. I hope he jabs and moves and picks his moments. Going hell for leather is suicide but I'm sure they'll have a good strategy worked out.

[Counter-puncher]

There's IFilm footage of Fast Eddie buying a round for a pub full of Leeds fans today. Eddie is going to milk this for all it's worth. I don't see Josh having a 50-50 for a while yet. For Hatton/WBU/MEN see Warrington/EU/Leeds Arena.

i can picture the scene. And eddies shiteating grin

[mickey1975]

There's IFilm footage of Fast Eddie buying a round for a pub full of Leeds fans today. Eddie is going to milk this for all it's worth. I don't see Josh having a 50-50 for a while yet. For Hatton/WBU/MEN see Warrington/EU/Leeds Arena.

i can picture the scene. And eddies shiteating grin

A Leeds supporting FB friend of mine posted the link and had a load of "top man", etc comments.