Liam set to set the Smith standard

19 August 2015 01:16

Liam Smith has no time to waste as he looks to become the first of four Liverpool brothers to land a version of a world title in Manchester in October.

The 27-year-old - second youngest in a family which also includes Paul, Stephen and Callum - has been granted a shot at Frenchman Michel Soro for the WBO light-middleweight title.

But after Paul came up short in two attempts to wrest a version of the super-middleweight title from Arthur Abraham, it is the turn of Stephen and Callum to step up the pressure.

Stephen Smith will fight Devis Boschiero in a final eliminator for a shot at the IBF super-featherweight title at Liverpool Olympia on September 19.

And Callum, already reaping the benefits of his decision to turn professional after narrowly failing to make it to London 2012, faces a domestic dust-up with fellow Liverpudlian Rocky Fielding.

Victory for the youngest Smith, who has already racked up an impressive record of 17 straight wins, will enhance his current number two status with the WBC for a crack at their 12-stone title.

Liam Smith - the only one of the brothers still promoted by Frank Warren's Queensberry Promotions, admitted he likes the idea of bagging bragging rights by bringing home that first title.

Smith said: "I will be able to say I'm the first. A while ago I thought I'd be the first to win the Lonsdale Belt outright, and it's mad how times change.

"I might not be the first to win the Lonsdale Belt now but I'm probably going to be the first world champion, so it's an exciting time for both myself and my family."

Smith's title attempt will also come with the incentive of increased exposure as he appears on a major triple world title show also including Andy Lee's rearranged clash with Billy Joe Saunders, and a first world title defence for Terry Flanagan.

And it comes a time when the future of the family's long-time boxing standard-bearer Paul Smith is open to much conjecture.

Smith looks increasingly unlikely to fight again after his last contest in California in June, when he came in badly over-weight for a catch-weight showdown with 12-stone number one Andre Ward.

Heavily criticised for failing to reach the agreed limit by a whopping 4.4lbs, Smith has aubsequently been advised to call time on his stellar career.

Instead, it looks increasingly clear it will be one of his younger brothers who steps up to land their fighting family a first world title that few would begrudge.

Source: PA