Jose Pedraza (c) vs. Stephen Smith - April 16th 2016

[wesshaw1985]

can Smith bring the IBF Title back to the UK?

[Stuarty]

Smith is a decent fighter but his record is pretty poor. His opponents of late haven't exactly been ideal preparation for a world title tilt. Maybe that won't matter though as this is the shot he's obviously been working towards. I don't know much about Pedraza but he'll be hard to beat. He's undefeated and used to fighting in the U.S so it's a big ask for Smith. Not impossible though and I hope he does it.

[keirw]

Smith is too inconsistent for me to favour him in any major fight.

Gets stopped by the very good but mediocre powered Selby, then brutally KOs the tough as nails Buckland.

Goes life and death with the journeyman Barrington Brown (where he was lucky not to have a KD scored against him), but then disposes of the solid Euro level Boschiero in style.

At his best he can beat Pedraza, but we don't see his best very often.

[daviddee]

Pedraza is terrible. I think Smith is very over rated but this is a very win able fight. I expect a points win

[ste1983]

Smith could have really done with this being over hear IMO

[tigermoth87]

Smith takes this on points. Pedraza isn't that good; although as mentioned Smith is the sort of boxer to put in a bad performance and cock things up so I can't rule Pedraza out. If Smith doesn't take him lightly and shows up motivated the title is his.

[Taansend]

I watched Pedraza v Klimov & he looked fantastic. Didn't see him against Cherry but apparently it was a fight that could have gone either way.

Smith has looked good against B level opposition but when he stepped up (Selby) he got done.

I really, really hope I'm wrong but I see a stoppage or wide UD for Pedraza.

Sorry Steve

[Taansend]

By the way, if you were a boxing fan in the US North East that night which bill would you rather see (as a neutral).

Pedraza v Smith & Russell v Hyland

OR

Spence v Algieri & Glowacki v Cunningham & Browne v Kaladjzic

[crusader]

Easily the bottom one

[Andrew]

Damn I'm the only one going for Smith stoppage.

Only saw Pedraza v Cherry and though was unimpressed

[crusader]

Damn I'm the only one going for Smith stoppage.

Only saw Pedraza v Cherry and though was unimpressed

That was Pedraza's worst performance.

[Taansend]

Damn I'm the only one going for Smith stoppage.

Only saw Pedraza v Cherry and though was unimpressed

Check out his fight with Klimov. It was on the undercard of Wilder v the Mexican American (1st defence). I know Klimov went the distance with Crawford. His fight against Pedraza would have been stopped in the UK. Totally outclassed.

[davie]

I've gone Smith decision through hope more than anything.
Not sure he's world class but would love to see him lift a title.

He might do a Crolla and completely prove me wrong on that count.

[fizzjambo]

Pedraza by stoppage late on. Smith is a decent boxer but Pedraza at his best would handle Smith at his best with awee touch to spare for me

[aheath98]

Anyone know if there is any open workouts this week, I'm in New York this week sky would be great to see a few of the smith camp. Thanks in advance

[Boxing Prospect]

BOTH are inconsistent, so a very hard call either way.

[PredatorHayds]

I fancy Pedraza to nick this. Smith needs to set a good tempo as I'm really not sold on Pedrazas workrate.
Hope Smith does enough but fancy Pedraza winning a snoozefest.

[handsofstone]

Very much looking forward to this one,been a while in the making,i have a feeling Smith might nick it though it will be a tough ask,Smith can be a bit hit and miss,sometimes looks explosive and technically brilliant other times he labours and gets tagged repeatedly against journeymen,Barrington Brown wobbled him and put him down but it wasnt scored,i put it down to motivation and that shouldnt be a problem here,Pedraza looked excellent winning the title against Klimov then struggled against Edner bloody Cherry who i thought was well into retirement

Hopefully both guys bring the best out of one another and we see a good fight,with Swifty's pressing style sees the judges score for him

[Andrew]

Smiths gotta go with a mindset of smashing this guy which I think he can do.

He better not do f**k all for 6 rounds like Quigg did v Frampton

[The Law]

I expect Pedraza to win in impressive fashion, most likely on points or late stoppage. He has really impressed me and looks very relaxed in the ring. I think he will be too slick for Swifty

[Webbo911]

By the way, if you were a boxing fan in the US North East that night which bill would you rather see (as a neutral).

Pedraza v Smith & Russell v Hyland

OR

Spence v Algieri & Glowacki v Cunningham & Browne v Kaladjzic

Definitely the Spence v Algieri card.

3 top fights that I have a genuine interest in.

Really rooting for Cunningham.

I like Swifty but I think he loses convincingly.

[Webbo911]

Smiths gotta go with a mindset of smashing this guy which I think he can do.

He better not do f**k all for 6 rounds like Quigg did v Frampton

That seems to be the Gallagher approach at the moment. . .

[DSW]

As much as i want Swifty to win i cant see it.

Pedraza late stoppage

[wesshaw1985]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8507yIhuPno

[rio]

Damn I'm the only one going for Smith stoppage.

Only saw Pedraza v Cherry and though was unimpressed

That was Pedraza's worst performance.

This was the only time I seem him as well and i thought he lost that fight. Based on that fight I take Smith on points.