Liam Smith avoiding risky fights, says Demetrius Andrade

Former world champion Demetrius Andrade has slammed current WBO world super-welterweight champion Liam Smith.

Andrade (22-0-KO15) would like the chance to regain the belt he was stripped of in August 2015 but is adamant Smith (22-0-1-KO12) is only interested in taking on inferior challengers.

With the contractual dispute that prevented him from defending his crown now resolved, Andrade returned to action in October when he stopped Dario Fabian Pucheta inside two rounds and is now plotting a path to the currently-vacant WBC world title.

I am more focused on the WBC title now as I know Smith won't fight me. He will keep defending his title in fights that he can win.

Andrade told World Boxing News: "I'll fight anyone and I will be the WBC champion this year.

"Liam Smith won't fight me because he hasn't got the b***. I am more focused on the WBC title now as I know Smith won't fight me. He will keep defending his title in fights that he can win and he'll eventually lose it when he fights someone good.

"Erislandy Lara could have fought me (for the WBA title), but decided to fight Ishe Smith and Delvin Rodriguez when he could have fought me."

On the possible clash between veterans Miguel Cotto and Juan Manuel Marquez, Andrade added: "I don't see why Cotto would be fighting Marquez when he could be fighting me, a real super welterweight.

"Although it will be an interesting fight, I guess as it's Mexico vs Puerto Rico, this fight doesn't really interest me. If Cotto wants to say he's a junior-middleweight he needs to fight real junior-middleweights."

Andrade became world champion in November 2013 when he won a split decision over Vanos Martirosyan and subsequently defended the belt once with a seventh round stoppage of Blackpool's Brian Rose.

John Jackson (20-2-KO15) and Jermell Charlo (27-0-KO12) are set to square off for the vacant WBC world super-welterweight title later in the year.