BoxRec

SO the worst kept secret in the village is finally out, venue confirmed and tickets running off the printer as we speak.

The first Merseyside boxing derby of 2010 will take place at the ECHO Arena on March 12 when Paul Smith will make the maiden defence of his British super-middleweight title against former champion Tony Dodson.

Will the Garston Warrior turn back the clock to regain the title he held all too briefly back in 2003? Or will Smith continue to grow into his new weight division and prove himself truly to be the Cock of the Dock?

And what lies ahead for the winner? A rematch with Tony Quigley perhaps? Or will Carl Dilks rise to the challenge next weekend and capture the Commonwealth title to set up a mouth-watering summer double domestic title date for Liverpool?

As far as Smith and Dodson are concerned I am sure the war of words will begin all too soon, as the amount of respect shared between the pair is matched only by their personal rivalry.

But it’s the February undercard that I want to get stuck into in today’s column and most specifically a title opportunity for Paul’s younger brother Stephen Smith.

It’s great that Tony Bellew is going to get to fight for his first title – of many – on this Liverpool card. And if the rumours are true he may even find himself up against an all-too familiar foe. But ‘Swifty’ is genuine world class too and, make no mistake, he’s also ready for a step up in class.

Watching him slug it out with Chris Riley in Newcastle last weekend, when he was rushed into the ring with just a couple of minutes notice for a scruffy four-rounder, took the shine off a fighter who is one of the most experienced amateur stars this country has produced.

The now 9-0 featherweight prospect has hardly had to leave third gear so far in the paid ranks, wth his 150+ bouts as an elite England international proving experience enough to make the transition to pro rudimentary.

There’s not a nine stone fighter in the UK that I personally wouldn’t match Smith with right now, and after he cruised through eight rounds against Gavin Reid at the ECHO Arena in October he’s also eligible for a title chance too.

The independent rankings already have Smith ranked as high as fourth in the domestic ratings at featherweight, with the guys above him all holding respected championship belts.

But the English title has remained vacant since Smith’s sparring partner Derry Mathews vacated it way back in 2006.

So hopefully promoter allegedly can pull some strings and make it so Smith can feature in a 10-rounder of his own.

I know ‘Swifty’ would jump at it. The hard part then is getting a domestic contender willing to challenge him for it.

diggler wrote:smigga in 7 or 8 rounds, theirs a press confrence tommorw so everything should be announced then

righthook wrote:

diggler wrote:smigga in 7 or 8 rounds, theirs a press confrence tommorw so everything should be announced then

press conference is thursday mate not tomorrow.


dodson/ smith is another great all scouse affair and who knows we may see some other all scouser affairs in action D

Paabaa wrote:Tony dodson will take out Paul smith, smith's mouth hurts more than his
fists, quigley dodson fight was class, smith quigley fight was poor ,that's smith
for you, and quigley was robbed, would rather dodson v quigley again . Will look
forward to that in the summer after dodson sorts smith out

hurlock wrote:probably one of your younger brothers on a wind up DD

Paabaa wrote:Tony dodson will take out Paul smith, smith's mouth hurts more than his
fists, quigley dodson fight was class, smith quigley fight was poor ,that's smith
for you, and quigley was robbed, would rather dodson v quigley again . Will look
forward to that in the summer after dodson sorts smith out

Smigga wrote:

Paabaa wrote:Tony dodson will take out Paul smith, smith's mouth hurts more than his
fists, quigley dodson fight was class, smith quigley fight was poor ,that's smith
for you, and quigley was robbed, would rather dodson v quigley again . Will look
forward to that in the summer after dodson sorts smith out

Another new user with their first post ranting about how $hite I am and how great Dodson is

I'd love to see the ip address of these??

Smigga wrote:

Paabaa wrote:Tony dodson will take out Paul smith, smith's mouth hurts more than his
fists, quigley dodson fight was class, smith quigley fight was poor ,that's smith
for you, and quigley was robbed, would rather dodson v quigley again . Will look
forward to that in the summer after dodson sorts smith out

Another new user with their first post ranting about how $hite I am and how great Dodson is

I'd love to see the ip address of these??

Paabaa wrote:

Smigga wrote:

Paabaa wrote:Tony dodson will take out Paul smith, smith's mouth hurts more than his
fists, quigley dodson fight was class, smith quigley fight was poor ,that's smith
for you, and quigley was robbed, would rather dodson v quigley again . Will look
forward to that in the summer after dodson sorts smith out

Another new user with their first post ranting about how $hite I am and how great Dodson is

I'd love to see the ip address of these??

What has the ip address got to do with my post

MSNW26069 wrote:

Smigga wrote:

Paabaa wrote:Tony dodson will take out Paul smith, smith's mouth hurts more than his
fists, quigley dodson fight was class, smith quigley fight was poor ,that's smith
for you, and quigley was robbed, would rather dodson v quigley again . Will look
forward to that in the summer after dodson sorts smith out

Another new user with their first post ranting about how $hite I am and how great Dodson is

I'd love to see the ip address of these??

SOUNDS like the truth hurts.Paul knows hes up against it and so he should only time will tell this time hes has bit off a bit more than he can chew

Arnie wrote:Smigga wins this