Liam Smith (c) vs. Jimmy Kelly - December 19th 2015

[ElJefe]

Frank mentioned making Smith vs Lara if he wins this. Not sure if he's telling the truth or it's just talk but I can't see why he'd want to make that fight to be honest.

[mickey1975]

He's mentioned Cotto as well. Kelly isn't bad, you know.

[Andrew]

Expect Smith to win but this will be less of a mismatch than people thank

Agreed I think Kelly could do quite well and get robbed. He has nothing to lose.

[milpool]

Not doubting Kelly's ability but he shouldn't be anywhere near a world title shot yet.
On another thread, I voted the WBO as the best organisation...it's world title match ups like this that let them down.

In days gone by, champions would have non-title fights to keep busy. This would be a perfectly acceptable fight for Liam Smith to take as a non-title bout. I just can't agree that this is a world title fight.

[PredatorHayds]

Fwank also has Ahmet Patterson and Gary Corcaron at the weight.

I can see him keeping the belt in his organisation as long as possible.

If BJS wins I can see Langford being nailed on first defence.

[tedley]

BJS is surely going to be taken to court in the near future

[magnus]

I think that Liam Smith's fights in the last 12 months or so have been perfect preparation of the likes of Cotto or Lara. Zoltan Sera, that Argentinian, John Thompson and Jimmy Kelly.............only natural that Cotto or Lara should be next. Unless GGG is available, obviously.

[Kingfield]

^^^ bit harsh mate.

[campfire]

Disgrace of a fight..who has Kelly ever beat to deserve a shot at a world tittle

Yes who has Kelly beat to deserve a WORLD title fight :?? :?? Come to think of it how did Liam Smith get a WORLD TITLE FIGHT

[bripez]

Nice fight the one - if it was for the British title then most people would be possible, but being sold as abWorld title fight takes the piss.

[Andrew]

Disgrace of a fight..who has Kelly ever beat to deserve a shot at a world tittle

Yes who has Kelly beat to deserve a WORLD title fight :?? :?? Come to think of it how did Liam Smith get a WORLD TITLE FIGHT

[MightyWarrior]

Kelly clearly shouldn't be within 5 miles of a world title fight, but since Smith's not really a world champion, it cancels itself out. So just a decent British fight between two prospects really

[keirw]

How come Liam looks nothing like the other Smiggs, and how come he looks about 45 when he's supposed to be the second youngest?



(He also looks mildly retarded, but that's just being nasty)

To be fair, that's not his best photo.

Back to the matter at hand.
Yes, this is a soft defence, however, I fully expect young Jimmy to give it a go. He has nothing to lose and everything to gain after all.
Smith may not be a proven World Champion but he was a good British Champion and I fully expect him to win and win well.

Someone like Clottey or Culcay next would be good, but I'm not holding my breath, Frank loves his sub-par in house challengers.

[Fortynineandout]

I too struggle with this match up as a World title fight.

I've seen the majority of Kelly's fights and there has been a noticeable improvement in his last few performances. However he's had extremely limited opposition and not fought for an area title never mind had an English or British title shot.
Having said that Smith too hasn't really been tested - his world title opponent was truly shocking ! ( nowhere near as good Andrade the previous title holder )
Imo smiths best win to date is against Erick Ocheing .

I'd like Kelly to win this and I don't believe it's an impossible ask - but this is at best a good domestic dust up.

[Coco]

If Smith is a worthwhile champ, Kelly is a worthwhile challenger, it looks like a fair match up to me. Nobody would complain I it was a voluntary for the British or WBU title.

[the golden vision]

Liam wasn't troubled by him at all, he just broke him down round by round as expected.

[palooka]

Liam wasn't troubled by him at all, he just broke him down round by round as expected.

Liam Williams looked very strong on the undercard, I think he'd be a handful. Kelly didn't get a bad mauling and could well be in the British Title mix when Williams pushes on.

[handsofstone]

Smith always looked strong and you felt it was only a matter of time before he broke Kelly down but i did give Jimmy a couple of rounds,Liam switched off a little while Kelly landed some nice combinations especially downstairs,Beefy is an ox though he looks immovable

Next defence will probably be against a tough rugged former contender,Kelly and Thompson both used their legs against Smith,i doubt they'll want another boxer type foe,Cotto would be class stylistically