Liam Smith vows to become world champion again
Wednesday 5 April 2017 16:47, UK
Liam Smith is relishing the prospect of fighting for the WBO ‘interim’ title against Liam Williams and believes his preparation will be the difference.
'Beefy' (24-1-1-KO13) has only fought once since losing the full version of the title to Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez in September, but feels his uninterrupted camp will lead him to victory this Saturday night at the Manchester Arena.
"Preparation is going very well, I have had a very good camp, sparred well over hundred rounds," he told this week's Toe 2 Toe podcast.
"I'm in very good shape and had no injuries, it's more than I can say for the Canelo fight. It sounds crazy as that was the biggest fight of my life but it is well documented that I had a bad camp and had two injuries."
Williams (16-0-1-KO11) gets his chance at fighting the former world champion, having won the British and Commonwealth super-welterweight titles in an undefeated 17-fight career.
However, Smith is undeterred by his opponent's accomplishments and sees this fight as an opportunity to reclaim his former crown and move a step closer to another world title challenge.
"It gives me a quicker route to becoming world champion," he said.
"My aim at the age of 17 was to become world champion and this is a quicker route back. When I beat Liam Williams I will become world champion again as I will get upgraded as Canelo is not going to defend that title again."
The winner is likely to be mandated to fight Miguel Cotto who is highly ranked by the governing body, and the prospect of facing the four-division world champion is something Smith is also relishing.
"'That is the big carrot dangled in front of me," he said.
"It looks realistic as he is rated number one and it's a fight I have looked up to for a number of years. I just want the big fights but first I must concentrate on Liam Williams this Saturday. I think I can stop him."
