BoxRec

http://www.icliverpool.co.uk by Nick Peet

ROBIN REID admitted he has plenty of work to do to get back into title contention after returning from 19 months out with a points win over Jesse Brinkley on the Contender show in Newcastle.

That was after Paul Smith had registered a career-best seventh round stoppage victory over Jonathon Reid.

Former WBC world champion Reid looked rusty and off the pace for much of his eight-round workout which earned him a unanimous 78-75, 78-76, 78-74 verdict.

The 35-year-old said: “Coming back after so long out I was hardly going to set the world on fire but once I get a few more fights under my belt I believe I can challenge at the top again.

“Ideally I would have one more fight then go for the British title. I would love to get in the ring with Carl Froch and then hopefully Joe Calzaghe again before I end my career.”

It's a shame Reid has had so much time out of the ring in recent years. If he'd stayed busy, he would probably have a lot more to offer. His preparation for the Lacy fight was truly awful, he didn't look in anything like top shape, and his timing was completely off.

Unless Reid stays busy, there's little point in him getting a title shot other than the financial reward as he's got bugger all chance of beating the likes of Froch, Kessler, Calzaghe when he's fighting once every 16 months.

I always liked Reid but layoffs and inactivity have hurt him badly. I think he can only become a high class yardstick now. A rematch with Calzaghe would be sadly one sided, Reid's time has come and gone i'm afraid.