By Scott Gilfoid: Paul Smith (35-3, 20 KOs) is on the verge of fighting for a world title for the first time in his 11-year pro career on September 27th against WBO super middleweight champion Arthur Abraham (40-4-, 28 KOs) in Berlin, Germany.
The weird part about it is that Smith really didn’t have to beat anyone to get the fight. While he’s won his last 4 fights, he’s done it against marginal fighters, and he’s beaten far better than those guys during his career.
It’s just luck on Smith’s part that the WBO gave him #6 ranking based on wins over David Sarabia (7-4-2, 2 KO’s), Jamie Ambler (10-56-2, 3 KO’s), Tony Dodson (30-8-1, 14 KO’s) and Tommy Tolan (4-15-1, 3 KO’s). Before Smith beat these guys, he’d been knocked out in the 2nd round by George Groves in 2011.
Abraham beat Nikola Sjekloca by a 12 round decision last May in his first defense of the title after beating Robert Stieglitz in March of this year in their third fight.
“I’m just waiting for the Sauerlands to give me that call and invite me over for a press conference to announce it,” Smith told Ringside. “It’s their show, it’s their promotion but it is that close. I think all we need is a venue; the O2 Arena in Berlin is booked at the moment, so they are looking for another venue. Carl showed the perfect way to beat him, though I never thought I’d see it on the night as easy as it was for Carl,” he said.
This is going to be a very tough fight for Smith because he’s not exactly elusive. Abraham is going to find it awfully easy to land his big power shots in this fight, especially with the way that Smith likes throw a punch and then immediately fall in for a clinch. All Abraham will need to do is time Smith when he’s coming forward to hold, and the nail him with a big shot.
“But this is my world title fight as well and I am going to give it everything. I know my style is made for him but his style is made for me and the way I fight.”
Smith will need to really let his hands go if he wants to try and score a stoppage win, because his chances of winning a decision in Germany probably aren’t good. He’s going to need to really batter Abraham to get a decision.
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