By Scott Gilfoid: #3 WBO Paul Smith (34-3, 19 KO’s) can put himself into a world title fight against WBO super middleweight champion Arthur Abraham (40-4) if Smith gets past little known David Sarabia (7-3-2, 2 KO’s) in their scheduled 8 round fight this Saturday night, May 17th at the Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff, Wales, UK. The Smith-Sarabia fight will be taking place on the Nathan Cleverly vs. Sean Corbin fight card.
Abraham’s promoter Kalle Sauerland is already in negotiations with Smith’s promoter Eddie Hearn for a fight that will take place later on this year.
Smith hasn’t really done much to deserve a world title shot given his lack of high quality opponents in the last three years since he was blown out in just 2 rounds by George Groves in November of 2011. Since that fight, Smith has defeated the following fighters to get ranked #3 by the World Boxing Organization: Jamine Ambler, Tony Dodson and Tommy Tolan.
I don’t see any of those fighters as being good enough to get Smith ranked even at the bottom of the WBO’s rankings at No.15, and it’s pretty shocking and at the same time very, very disappointing that the WBO has given Smith a No.3 ranking, because a ranking that high should only be given to fighters that have beaten high quality opposition or fighters who have shown amazing talent in blowing through their lower level opposition. With Smith, 31, he’s done neither. He’s fought mediocre opposition, and he’s not looking amazing in beating them.
“We’re in talks with Eddie [Hearn] and will certainly be watching the show in Cardiff,” Sauerland said. “Paul is number three in the WBC rankings and his style and Arthur’s style would make for an explosive fight and a treat for fans.”
I don’t give Smith much of a chance at lasting more than 2 rounds against Abraham, even though Abraham is considered to be the weak link amount the super middleweight champions at this time. Smith’s fighting style involves a lot of clinching. He throws a shot, and then tends to fall forward for as bear hug of his opponents.
The referee then resets him, and then more often than not, he does the same thing again. I’m not sure if Smith is going to make exciting against Abraham like Sauerland seems to think he will.
The WBO’s rankings are kind of mixed up as far as the 168 lb division goes, because they’ve got guys that would likely beat Smith with ease ranking below him, such as Anthony Dirrell, Groves and Robert Stieglitz.