BoxRec

With the new season just around the corner, Gallagher told LF that he is aiming for the 168lb British champ to have a quick defence enabling outright possession of the title before aiming for the ultimate prize. Realistically, Gallagher knows that the likes of Carl Froch and Andre Ward are way out of the picture but there is another of the world champions who he firmly believes is not.

“I’d put him in with [Robert] Stieglitz for the WBO,” he declared.

“If Stieglitz wants a voluntary he doesn’t have far to look in Paul Smith. If that fight was made, because of their styles of fighting, for however long it lasted, Paul would give a great account of himself. And Paul, with his style and the way he is now, being on a high he’s got the punch to rip that title away from him. You cannot rule Paul Smith winning that world title against Stieglitz.

“If Stieglitz wants a payday, if they wanted to gauge the likes of James DeGale and George Groves then Paul Smith is there. Paul would give him a really good fight but he has to work himself into that position. He would snap their hands off for it though. We’ve talked about and I had Paul study Stieglitz’ last fight and the fight before that as well for the Dodson fight. So Paul’s watched him and if we got the call then we’re on that plane to wherever it is and he’d take that fight with both hands.”

The rest of this interview can be read here http://bit.ly/16r7Q7r

thewarcap wrote:With the new season just around the corner, Gallagher told LF that he is aiming for the 168lb British champ to have a quick defence enabling outright possession of the title before aiming for the ultimate prize. Realistically, Gallagher knows that the likes of Carl Froch and Andre Ward are way out of the picture but there is another of the world champions who he firmly believes is not.

“I’d put him in with [Robert] Stieglitz for the WBO,” he declared.

“If Stieglitz wants a voluntary he doesn’t have far to look in Paul Smith. If that fight was made, because of their styles of fighting, for however long it lasted, Paul would give a great account of himself. And Paul, with his style and the way he is now, being on a high he’s got the punch to rip that title away from him. You cannot rule Paul Smith winning that world title against Stieglitz.

“If Stieglitz wants a payday, if they wanted to gauge the likes of James DeGale and George Groves then Paul Smith is there. Paul would give him a really good fight but he has to work himself into that position. He would snap their hands off for it though. We’ve talked about and I had Paul study Stieglitz’ last fight and the fight before that as well for the Dodson fight. So Paul’s watched him and if we got the call then we’re on that plane to wherever it is and he’d take that fight with both hands.”

The rest of this interview can be read here http://bit.ly/16r7Q7r

Stieglitz will be too much for Smith, plus Smith is past his best, beating Dodson is a false dawn, Dodson was past it as well, fight should not of been for the British title.

Stieglitz is on a completely different level to Smith, easy stoppage win for him imo.

“If Stieglitz wants a voluntary he doesn’t have far to look in Paul Smith. If that fight was made, because of their styles of fighting, for however long it lasted, Paul would give a great account of himself.

I read that as Joe saying that his lad will get knocked out but would have a go at Stielglitz between the first bell and getting knocked out !

Paul needs to fight for the european first. If he won that then id have no issue with him getting a shot but at the moment he doesnt deserve it.

Smith has to work his way up IMO. No disrespect to Dodson but a win over him boiling down to 12st don't set the world on fire.
I'm sure this bout could easily be made & to use smith as a yardstick/cannon fodder is desperate & damaging for him & he could slowly get there on merit & be ready!!
I think so many fighters jack the sport in down to momentum & the ridiculous patience you haft to have.i don't feel this is a good career move for smith he needs to sharpen his tools & not overlook who's around him in the division who can provide him some good fights.
Very premature risk taking imo

columbo wrote:Paul needs to fight for the european first. If he won that then id have no issue with him getting a shot but at the moment he doesnt deserve it.

This.

I've thought for ages that Smith should be no higher than 160. Even then, I don't really think he's any better than decent domestic level.

Steiglitz is terrible. He reminds me so much of John Ruiz. Then again, so does Smith. It would be an awful fight that Steiglitz would probably win on points.