BoxRec

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑25 Jan 2025, 17:35 Bellew had it 9-1 heading into that round.

And he’s said it’s a bad stoppage?

He said he was throwing back

THEBUTCH wrote: ↑26 Jan 2025, 06:52 Good post

And coco's right too...Dalton made look Ouizza look bad because he's in a different class.

Being a traditionalist I'd like to see Smith defend his newly acquired European title....he could easily fit in 2 or at a stretch 3 defences in 2025 (but seems unlikely given his poor form for staying active...although the 19 month break didn't appear to pose him any issues with ring rust).

To my mind making defences of the European title still seems to make inroads to a world title shot, its a decent earner and will likely provide valuable experience competing over 12 rounds....plus, if it's not working out, you can just ditch the title!

skanksta wrote: ↑25 Jan 2025, 19:31 I don't agree with the forum so much as Bellew

It wasn't a great stoppage for me, not for a LLB with a big lead especially.
Hurt obviously and didn't complain, but I'd like to have seen if he could have regained his shape..

mickey1975 wrote: ↑26 Jan 2025, 07:00

THEBUTCH wrote: ↑26 Jan 2025, 06:52 Good post

And coco's right too...Dalton made look Ouizza look bad because he's in a different class.

Being a traditionalist I'd like to see Smith defend his newly acquired European title....he could easily fit in 2 or at a stretch 3 defences in 2025 (but seems unlikely given his poor form for staying active...although the 19 month break didn't appear to pose him any issues with ring rust).

To my mind making defences of the European title still seems to make inroads to a world title shot, its a decent earner and will likely provide valuable experience competing over 12 rounds....plus, if it's not working out, you can just ditch the title!

It was 10 months. Before that he was fairly active and it looked like they was trying to build something in Sheffield. He won't have been away from the gym whilst injured, he lives boxing. Maybe they just wanted to get him out before bringing him back to Sheffield, with Hearn there, in the summer.

Coco wrote: ↑26 Jan 2025, 13:56 Compare Smith to the McCormack brothers.

Smith is 27, won the. Londsale belt outright, commonwealth and euro champ, ready to begin his assault on world honours.

The McCormack brothers were quality amateurs, stayed there, had some injury and promotional probs, now 29, and neither has fought for a title.

Your pro career is so short, and can be gone in a blink of an eye

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑25 Jan 2025, 18:03 At least everyone gets to go home early

Coco wrote: ↑26 Jan 2025, 13:56 Compare Smith to the McCormack brothers.

Smith is 27, won the. Londsale belt outright, commonwealth and euro champ, ready to begin his assault on world honours.

The McCormack brothers were quality amateurs, stayed there, had some injury and promotional probs, now 29, and neither has fought for a title.

Your pro career is so short, and can be gone in a blink of an eye

SeanBrennan wrote: ↑26 Jan 2025, 14:35

Coco wrote: ↑26 Jan 2025, 13:56 Compare Smith to the McCormack brothers.

Smith is 27, won the. Londsale belt outright, commonwealth and euro champ, ready to begin his assault on world honours.

The McCormack brothers were quality amateurs, stayed there, had some injury and promotional probs, now 29, and neither has fought for a title.

Your pro career is so short, and can be gone in a blink of an eye

good context that. Do you think the brothers will kick on to do something?

Coco wrote: ↑26 Jan 2025, 14:48

SeanBrennan wrote: ↑26 Jan 2025, 14:35

Coco wrote: ↑26 Jan 2025, 13:56 Compare Smith to the McCormack brothers.

Smith is 27, won the. Londsale belt outright, commonwealth and euro champ, ready to begin his assault on world honours.

The McCormack brothers were quality amateurs, stayed there, had some injury and promotional probs, now 29, and neither has fought for a title.

Your pro career is so short, and can be gone in a blink of an eye

good context that. Do you think the brothers will kick on to do something?

I fear they won't, I mentioned this when they turned over.
You turn over late and there is no time to lose, and you only have a short time to improve.

The way things are going, neither will win a British title, despite having talent to burn.

At this weight 29 isn't young. If everything goes well it will be 2/3 years before they get to Smith's level, and they will be both well over 30.

Don't forget years in the GB squad takes its toll between high class sparring and top level fighting.

I hope they earned well in the GB squad.

Coco wrote: ↑26 Jan 2025, 13:50

mickey1975 wrote: ↑26 Jan 2025, 07:00

THEBUTCH wrote: ↑26 Jan 2025, 06:52 Good post

And coco's right too...Dalton made look Ouizza look bad because he's in a different class.

Being a traditionalist I'd like to see Smith defend his newly acquired European title....he could easily fit in 2 or at a stretch 3 defences in 2025 (but seems unlikely given his poor form for staying active...although the 19 month break didn't appear to pose him any issues with ring rust).

To my mind making defences of the European title still seems to make inroads to a world title shot, its a decent earner and will likely provide valuable experience competing over 12 rounds....plus, if it's not working out, you can just ditch the title!

It was 10 months. Before that he was fairly active and it looked like they was trying to build something in Sheffield. He won't have been away from the gym whilst injured, he lives boxing. Maybe they just wanted to get him out before bringing him back to Sheffield, with Hearn there, in the summer.

Smith is still relatively inexperienced at this level, it would be good to get him a couple of EBU defences before moving himself into true world class.
So do it like this and he will be ready.
Just keep the fella busy.

maverick23 wrote: ↑26 Jan 2025, 15:09

Coco wrote: ↑26 Jan 2025, 13:50

mickey1975 wrote: ↑26 Jan 2025, 07:00
It was 10 months. Before that he was fairly active and it looked like they was trying to build something in Sheffield. He won't have been away from the gym whilst injured, he lives boxing. Maybe they just wanted to get him out before bringing him back to Sheffield, with Hearn there, in the summer.

Smith is still relatively inexperienced at this level, it would be good to get him a couple of EBU defences before moving himself into true world class.
So do it like this and he will be ready.
Just keep the fella busy.

European level isn’t what it once was. Ouizza was mandatory and he was pretty poor. He wouldn’t win a British title from what I’ve seen. Jon Fernandez is next in line. Smith would be better off going straight for the Puello/Martin winner or Oscar Duarte (if he beats Prograis).

SeanBrennan wrote: ↑26 Jan 2025, 14:59

Coco wrote: ↑26 Jan 2025, 14:48

SeanBrennan wrote: ↑26 Jan 2025, 14:35

good context that. Do you think the brothers will kick on to do something?

I fear they won't, I mentioned this when they turned over.
You turn over late and there is no time to lose, and you only have a short time to improve.

The way things are going, neither will win a British title, despite having talent to burn.

At this weight 29 isn't young. If everything goes well it will be 2/3 years before they get to Smith's level, and they will be both well over 30.

Don't forget years in the GB squad takes its toll between high class sparring and top level fighting.

I hope they earned well in the GB squad.

I think you get like a base salary as a top am don't you? I suspect it is a stable but not large income (but I've no real idea). I do think people like Conlan, and even Clarke show the dangers of staying amateur too long. I respect Clarke for going through the waiting of Olympic cycles to finally get picked and medal, but I think he is very old for an early-career HW now. I wonder if there is an ideal age/number of fights for an am before turning over, and I appreciate it's winning something in the ams to give you some standing when you do turnover so you're not starting from having to run about selling tickets (that sounds as stressful as fighting).

Coco wrote: ↑26 Jan 2025, 15:28

maverick23 wrote: ↑26 Jan 2025, 15:09

Coco wrote: ↑26 Jan 2025, 13:50

Smith is still relatively inexperienced at this level, it would be good to get him a couple of EBU defences before moving himself into true world class.
So do it like this and he will be ready.
Just keep the fella busy.

European level isn’t what it once was. Ouizza was mandatory and he was pretty poor. He wouldn’t win a British title from what I’ve seen. Jon Fernandez is next in line. Smith would be better off going straight for the Puello/Martin winner or Oscar Duarte (if he beats Prograis).

If they can keep him busy, like what FW did with Hatton, get him fighting against Euro level, fringe world level, get the rounds in, get a support base.
He isn't a puncher at top level so needs to get used to the pace over the long route too.
Then in 18 months time he will be genuinely ready for the world stage, doing it the right way.
I really don't think the Frenchman was that bad, Smith was that good.

maverick23 wrote: ↑26 Jan 2025, 16:22

Coco wrote: ↑26 Jan 2025, 15:28

maverick23 wrote: ↑26 Jan 2025, 15:09

European level isn’t what it once was. Ouizza was mandatory and he was pretty poor. He wouldn’t win a British title from what I’ve seen. Jon Fernandez is next in line. Smith would be better off going straight for the Puello/Martin winner or Oscar Duarte (if he beats Prograis).

If they can keep him busy, like what FW did with Hatton, get him fighting against Euro level, fringe world level, get the rounds in, get a support base.
He isn't a puncher at top level so needs to get used to the pace over the long route too.
Then in 18 months time he will be genuinely ready for the world stage, doing it the right way.
I really don't think the Frenchman was that bad, Smith was that good.

Who at European level would get him ready for a world title fight?