Smith-Dodson: Talk is cheap in Merseyside Derby

By Peter Wells: Tonight at the Echo Arena in Liverpool another Merseyside Derby takes place for the British Middleweight crown. First their was Dodson-Quigley were Dodson was stopped in the final round of a great encounter.

Then Paul Smith just piped Quigley on a spilt decision. Now Dodson is back for his title and a shot a European Champion Brian Magee.

The 27 year old Smith is 5’11 and has only lost once in 29 fights to Steven Bendall in 2008 in a British title eliminator. He has 15 of his 28 wins coming by way of knockout and was the WBA International Super Middleweight champion, but with Kessler going into the Super Six he was never going to get his shot. Now he’s having to start from scratch again at Middleweight, Dodson would be followed by Magee and then he can get his title shot once again.

Dodson hasn’t fought since his 5th pro defeat to Quigley last year and has 24 wins and 1 draw, 12 wins by knockout. 4 of those loses have come from knockouts his quickest to Carl Froch in just 3 rounds. He’s been stopped twice in the 9th round as well and has proved that his chin is a big issue late on. At 29 Dobson doesn’t have much left to offer, but Smith is his last hope at a shot against Brian Magee.

Paul Smith can pull the trigger, and Dobson can push fighters hard, but he usually pushes himself harder and is always the one that seems tired in big fights. I don’t feel either fighter could beat Magee but with Dobson without a fight since his hard fought defeat to Quigley I don’t see him lasting out here.

Dodson will make it hard for Smith like he did to Quigley and his desire will keep him going. But he will tire late on and Smith won’t be letting him off tonight. It will be very similar to the Quigley fight only this time it’ll end a little earlier in about 10 rounds. The bloodied Dodson will probably be saved from himself by either the referee or his corner.

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