Liam Smith will have a long think about his career if he loses to Anthony Fowler. A seasoned campaigner at world level for a number of years, Smith returns to domestic level for a fight that is more about local bragging rights rather than securing future showdowns at the standard he’s become accustomed to.
Instead of preparing for a Fowler showdown, a fight with huge implications in Liverpool, Smith had envisioned meetings with the likes of Jesse Vargas and Tim Tszyu. A trip to Australia was heavily discussed but quarantine rules in Australia prevented the fight from occurring. With marquee events still in focus, “Beefy” admits there it’ll be difficult to secure big nights if he endures a fourth professional defeat this weekend.
“If I lose to him then where do I go?” asked Smith when speaking exclusively to DAZN News. “I’ve been world champion and I'm in boxing to have another crack at a world title. If I lose to Anthony Fowler then I’m a long, long, long way from a world title so I'll have to sit down and have to think twice.”
A fighter who has shared the ring with the likes of Canelo Alvarez, Jaime Munguia and Liam Williams, Smith’s battles at domestic level have long been in his rear-view mirror. A frequent occupier of the world rankings at 154lbs, the former WBO ruler holds a variety of advantages over his city rival. Has motivation been any sort of issue for the 33-year-old?
“The fight was a big comedown when it was being spoke about but once I knew it was the path I was going down, I switched on. He is coming to hurt me, so I have to be switched on. Once Eddie [Hearn] said that this was the only option then that was the route we went. Liam Smith against Anthony Fowler, and Liam Smith wins.”