"I feel like a kid again." That is the response from the legendary commentator Adam Smith when asked what it means to be calling Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury's rematch for DAZN on Saturday night.
Speak to any sports commentator or journalist and they will always tell you how grateful and lucky they are to get the opportunity to be at the world's biggest sports events and get paid to do so. None should ever lose sight of that privilege.
But for Smith, that joy and gratitude comes from more than just the immense love and passion he possesses for boxing. It comes from knowing how close he was to having it all taken away.
Diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2023, which caused his kidneys to fail, the "Voice of Boxing" came days away from death.
An urgent six-hour operation, where 19 lymph nodes were taken out and his bladder and prostate removed, was followed by three-and-a-half months of chemotherapy.
Thanks to the wonderful work of his doctors, Smith somehow came through the other side and is here today to tell his story, hug his family and, do what he does very best, live and breathe the sweet science again.
Since leaving Sky Sports Smith has remained very busy with numerous personal and freelance projects, from podcasts, to speaking appearances, to broadcasting and commentating.
But Saturday's Usyk/Fury bout represents his full return to the biggest of big times, his first major TV commentary fight since returning from the dark.
Smith will be part of a superb DAZN broadcast team for what promises to be another epic encounter between these two heavyweight greats, as Usyk defends his WBA, WBC and WBO world titles.
Former world champions Barry Jones and Darren Barker will be alongside him ringside on the commentary table, while Eddie Hearn, Andy Lee, Kate Scott, Ade Oladipo and Emily Austin form the rest of the star studded, expert lineup.
For Smith, as you would expect, he cannot wait to get going again, knowing every moment is a blessing for him now.
"I am very lucky and honoured to be doing this job and watching these fine boxers," Smith told DAZN News.
"Whether it is calling a four-round fight between two debutants or a world title fight, I love it all and am grateful to be doing such a job, if you can really call it a job.
"The cancer was brutal, it has been very difficult to fight this disease. I had some very dark times and my body has been through hell.
"My doctors saved me, my family brought me back. I had three-and-a-half lonely months in hospital undergoing treatment.
"I was very lucky to make it through. I am very lucky to be alive and I have a different perspective on life after what happened to me.
"I wake up in the morning and I am happy, I am not stressed. I am just delighted to have another day."
Smith has eased back into commentary life, working on radio for talkSPORT and with DAZN on events such as the Professional Fighters League.
Saturday represents the return all boxing fans were hoping for - a huge fight night just doesn't feel right without Smith's dulcet tones and beautiful descriptive manner of the action we are witnessing.
"It is a pleasure to be working with DAZN. They are the new home of global combat sport and it has been great working with them on events like PFL.
"Everyone in the team is so nice and has a passion for boxing and combat sports. It's great to be part of.
"I've done events like the PFL with DAZN and loved it. But to be asked to do Usyk versus Fury, the biggest fight of the year, the biggest rematch, such a marvellous occasion, I am truly grateful, I am very honoured and fortunate.
"I am happy to be alive, and am fortunate to have this role and working alongside great friends in Barry Jones and Darren Barker for this fight. I'm grateful to DAZN for this opportunity and I'll be giving it my all.
"This will be a monumental occasion in the history of this wonderful sport."
With two modern greats going at it, putting everything on the line, Usyk vs Fury 2 was always going to be a not to miss, epic affair. But it feels even better, and certainly more special with Adam Smith back where he belongs and where we love him to be.
Buy Usyk vs Fury 2 on DAZN PPV to hear Adam Smith call the biggest fight of the year.
Watch Usyk vs. Fury 2 on DAZN PPV
The Oleksandr Usyk/Tyson Fury rematch and full undercard is a DAZN Pay-Per-View (PPV) worldwide event and will cost £24.99 in the UK / $39.95 in the US. For prices in your region click here .
A PPV event is a single one-off payment, with no subscription requirement or extra costs. Buying the Usyk vs. Fury 2 PPV on DAZN brings great benefits.
This includes a range of options to watch the fight, from the traditional commentary to watchalongs with True Geordie or ShowBizz; £25 of free bets with DAZN Bet; the best broadcast team including Kate Scott, Ade Oladipo, Andy Lee, Darren Barker and Eddie Hearn; and commentary in multiple languages.
The PPV also comes with a seven-day free trial of the whole DAZN platform.
The Usyk vs. Fury fight and all DAZN content can be watched anywhere and everywhere on any device via the DAZN App. Watch on smart TV's, smartphones, tablets, games consoles, streaming devices and any device with a web browser.
Buy Usyk vs. Fury 2 PPV on DAZN now .
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