Liam Smith Injured, Withdraws From Kujala Fight September 4

A calf injury ends Smith’s Finland trip, with Dominik Pesek stepping in on short notice to face Ilari Kujala.

Liam Smith has withdrawn from Friday’s fight against Ilari Kujala in Finland after suffering a calf injury while making weight. Dominik Pesek was secured as a replacement within hours, keeping Kujala on the September 4 card at Kirkkonummi Ice Hall.

Smith, 38, had been scheduled to fly to Finland on Wednesday morning for his fight with Kujala. His team instead informed promoter Elite Boxing on Tuesday evening that the former world champion could not compete.

For Kujala, the timing makes the withdrawal particularly difficult.

The 30-year-old had been preparing for the biggest opportunity of his 12-fight professional career. Instead of facing Smith, he now has only days to turn his attention toward a completely different opponent.

“I am extremely disappointed,” Kujala said. “This would have been the opportunity of a lifetime.”

The disappointment has not diminished his interest in eventually getting Smith into the opposite corner.

“However, I hope to be in Smith’s opposite corner for his next fight,” Kujala said. “I believe I could beat him.”

Dominik Pesek Steps In Against Kujala

Elite Boxing moved quickly after Smith pulled out, securing 19-year-old Czech fighter Dominik Pesek within a few hours.

Pesek has won five of his six professional fights, including four by knockout. His only professional defeat came by a narrow points decision.

He also brings amateur experience into the short-notice assignment, having represented his country at the European Youth Championships.

Everything about the week had been building toward his opportunity against a former world champion. That fight has disappeared, but Kujala still has to perform Friday against a replacement who suddenly has his own opportunity to exploit.

Pesek enters without the name recognition Smith would have brought to Kirkkonummi, but the circumstances give the 19-year-old something valuable: a chance to disrupt Kujala’s night after accepting the fight with almost no notice.

Kujala Must Switch Focus After Smith Withdrawal

Kujala has won each of his 12 professional fights, but Smith represented a substantial step in profile and experience.

Smith’s withdrawal removes that test before it can happen and leaves Kujala dealing with one of boxing’s less forgiving situations. The opponent may change, but the fighter who spent camp preparing for the original assignment still has to rebuild his strategy and handle the replacement.

Kujala cannot fight the bout he expected against Smith. His attention now has to move completely to Pesek.

The replacement fight is scheduled at 73.9 kilograms and remains part of Friday’s professional card at Kirkkonummi Ice Hall.

Pesek now gets an unexpected opportunity of his own.