Why does Paul smith get such a rough time on here?

[keirw]

Very disappointing, after all the talk about 'giving it a go', it seems he isn't even going to do that.
I remember when Fielding missed weight last year, Smith laid into him something chronic, now he looks like a hypocrite.

[MrJasonM]

After the fight, I hope there is a proper explanation rather than Eddie Hearn's flight excuse nonsense.

Smith normally comes across as an honest guy when I have seen him in interviews and doing his Sky work.

[stujones]

Hope I am wrong but I just don't think it is there anymore. He got his surprise shot, excelled - got his rematch, really had belief he was going to win. Came up short.... it must be difficult to motivate himself when there is a realisation that he is not quite good enough against the weakest of the champions.

[samwbr]

After the fight, I hope there is a proper explanation rather than Eddie Hearn's flight excuse nonsense.

Smith normally comes across as an honest guy when I have seen him in interviews and doing his Sky work.

I'd still love to see a fight between them. Or Callum if Paul chucks it in after getting a beating tonight.

[stu 27]

Maybe Gallagher is spreading himself thin in the gym?

[elephant man]

Has just failed the agreed 181lb pre-fight weight check. Came in at 184lbs and will lose another $15,000 of his purse. Total loss now $60,000.

[Bosh Dorigo]

Has just failed the agreed 181lb pre-fight weight check. Came in at 184lbs and will lose another $15,000 of his purse. Total loss now $60,000.

Ha, just came here to post the same thing mate. Can you believe it, what a complete and utter joke? He must know in his own heart he never had any chance in this fight, it's possibly his last fight (his ego won't let him return to mere British/Euro level after being 'world class' for three fights) so wouldn't you think he'd want to end his career with as much money as possible in his pocket?

Tosser.

[Rexob]

The excuses should be fun to listen to

[Bosh Dorigo]

Maybe Gallagher is spreading himself thin in the gym?

Apparently he didn't fly out there until this Thursday, so who's been training Smith (tempted to say Ronald McDonald but that would be immature, so I won't) ?

[Bosh Dorigo]

The Smigg has just weighed in a 184.4 at the check weigh, deal was 181 so he's lost another $15K.

What a dong.

[ShadrachSimmo]

The excuses should be fun to listen to

It'd be very refreshing if he just came out and said "I couldn't be fcuked" .

[Bosh Dorigo]

I've been looking everywhere for a Joe Gallagher interview, I think it'll be hilarious.

[keithmoonhangover]

4lbs is a lot to be over. Any chance it was part of the plan and he's known from the start?

[chiggsy]

Jesus wept,STOP EATING PAUL YOUR FIGHTING ANDRE WARD

[palooka]

Has just failed the agreed 181lb pre-fight weight check. Came in at 184lbs and will lose another $15,000 of his purse. Total loss now $60,000.

I'd be surprised if he shows up. What was the name off that light heavyweight boxer who weighed in, got to the dressing room etc and then just said he weren't boxing, he was fed up with bring messed about?

This is really strange from Smith and it is really indefensible.

[Bosh Dorigo]

Smith showed a lot of grit in the Degale and Abraham fights, so we know he's not one to give up when things are going badly. But given how seemingly apathetic he's been in his 'preparation' for this, I can see him bailing out (probably a corner retirement) after a few bad rounds.

[gazza8]

Very disappointing, after all the talk about 'giving it a go', it seems he isn't even going to do that.
I remember when Fielding missed weight last year, Smith laid into him something chronic, now he looks like a hypocrite.

Excellent point!

I totally forgot about that. Smith gave him a roasting live in sky after his win.

Maybe the rocky balboa approach...to beat this guy you need speed...you dont have it! what we'll be calling on is good ol' fashion blunt force trauma. Horsepower. Heavy-duty, cast-iron, piledriving punches that will have to hurt so much they'll rattle his ancestors. Every time you hit him with a shot, it's gotta feel like he tried kissing the express train. Yeah! Let's start building some hurtin' bombs!

[Bosh Dorigo]

I'd be surprised if he shows up. What was the name off that light heavyweight boxer who weighed in, got to the dressing room etc and then just said he weren't boxing, he was fed up with bring messed about?

Peter Oboh, before his fight with Tony Oakey.

[palooka]

I'd be surprised if he shows up. What was the name off that light heavyweight boxer who weighed in, got to the dressing room etc and then just said he weren't boxing, he was fed up with bring messed about?

Peter Oboh, before his fight with Tony Oakey.

that's the one, cheers.

[Pugilist-specialist]

The Smigg has just weighed in a 184.4 at the check weigh, deal was 181 so he's lost another $15K.

What a dong.

13st2.4lbs- he'll be above the old cruiserweight limit by fight-time. WTF

[Pugilist-specialist]

I've been looking everywhere for a Joe Gallagher interview, I think it'll be hilarious.

Gallagher's not usually camera-shy is he?? DD DD

[palooka]

The Smigg has just weighed in a 184.4 at the check weigh, deal was 181 so he's lost another $15K.

What a dong.

13st2.4lbs- he'll be above the old cruiserweight limit by fight-time. WTF

He'll make the ring shake when he's dropped.

[smiling assassin]

i think team Smith have done this on purpose. They know they had no hope of beating Ward on a level playing field, so hes opted to not even try to make weight. To say he hasnt trained for this fight is ludicrous in my opinion. although he looks fleshy he has never had a carl Froch physique im sure he has been working hard in the gym. Even with the 20% purse reduction he is still coming away with a tidy amount of money in the average mans eye so i think they are playing a mental game and trying to gain an advantage (albeit a very costly one). Having said all this i believe its going to be an easy night for Ward, even with the long lay off and i think the ref will stop the fight around the 8th

[palooka]

i think team Smith have done this on purpose. They know they had no hope of beating Ward on a level playing field, so hes opted to not even try to make weight. To say he hasnt trained for this fight is ludicrous in my opinion. although he looks fleshy he has never had a carl Froch physique im sure he has been working hard in the gym. Even with the 20% purse reduction he is still coming away with a tidy amount of money in the average mans eye so i think they are playing a mental game and trying to gain an advantage (albeit a very costly one). Having said all this i believe its going to be an easy night for Ward, even with the long lay off and i think the ref will stop the fight around the 8th

That's a decent breakdown though Smith would be happy to make a fair weight if he were boxing someone he could muller. It may be gamesmanship but isn't sporting and he's lost some of the 'moral authority' that comes with being a pundit - he's a cheat, really.

[Bosh Dorigo]

I'd rather have made the weight, had an extra $60k in my pocket and retained the respect of the trade and fans.