Adam Booth believes his fighter Josh Kelly is not being complacent as he prepares to fight Liam Smith.
The two meet on the September 21 undercard for Anthony Joshua vs. Daniel Dubois, shown live on DAZN .
For Smith it marks a return from his defeat to Chris Eubank Jr. last year, only his fourth career defeat.
The veteran claimed he was dealing with an ankle injury that night, and at 36 he is fighting on.
Kelly, six years his opponent’s junior, is looking to make a mark at middleweight in pursuit of more high-profile fights.
Booth, Kelly’s trainer, told BoxingScene that they were aware of Smith’s ability.
“Liam is experienced,” he said. “He’s tough. He’s rough. Very, very subtly intelligent behind a style that might undermine that intelligence. I know what Liam is, and I’m looking at the Liam Smith at his best.
“I know he’s saying he thinks we think we’re getting him at the right time. I don’t think we’re getting him at the right time because of a demise in Liam – I think it’s the right time because of the ascension of Josh, and that’s it.
“At some point you’ve got to test yourself in fights like this, and I know that Josh is now ready for this. I knew that he was ready for [David] Avenesyan as a fighter, but as a man and mentally he wasn’t ready for it, so I’ve learned more as well.
“My making this fight is my belief in Josh – it’s got nothing to do with whether Liam’s on the ascension, the demise, or staying the same. I’m looking at habits and things that he does; I’m looking at the best Liam Smith. Not the one that had injury problems going into his last fight with Chris Eubank Jr.”
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