Callum Smith sure he is a cut above Liverpool rival Rocky Fielding
Wednesday 19 August 2015 16:56, UK
Callum Smith is adamant he is a class above Liverpool rival Rocky Fielding ahead of their British super-middleweight title clash on November 7.
Smith (17-0-KO12) takes on Fielding (21-0-KO12) at the Echo Arena in a bout that also serves as a WBC world title eliminator - but the 25-year-old Smith has quashed Fielding's claims of being 'under-hyped'.
The pair fought on the same card in June, when Fielding battered Brian Vera to a halt inside two rounds and Smith methodically outpointed former European champion Christopher Rebrasse.
Smith told Sky Sports: "In my eyes, it's quite the opposite of 'under-hyped'. I think people are reading far too much into his win over Brian Vera.
I thought Vera was shot and even Vera at his best wasn't good enough to win a world title. People are reading too much in to that win and are making it a 50-50 fight.
"Vera had lost his last three and came out of retirement to fight Fielding. I think if I boxed Vera and stopped him, I'd get: 'he's just another blown-up middleweight who's lost nine times'! I don't think I'd get as much credit as Rocky did.
"I thought Vera was shot and even Vera at his best wasn't good enough to win a world title. People are reading too much into that win and are making it a 50-50 fight but I'm confident I'll prove I'm the better boxer on the night.
"I know him well. I've known him since the amateurs. I know his strengths and his weaknesses. Joe will come up with a good game plan. All in all I believe I'm the better boxer and it's all about proving that on November 7.
"I believe whether he's struggled in the past with the weight or not, I can hurt anyone in the world with the body shots if I land right. I won't just look for the body, though. I've got another game plan and I believe I'm the better boxer. There are many ways the fight can go but I see only one winner.
"We've both got decent followings and I think it's a fight that will sell well. Hopefully we can put on a good show."
It's a busy time for the Smith brothers, with Callum's brothers Liam and Stephen preparing for world title and world title eliminator fights respectively.
The 25-year-old added: "It's an exciting time. We're all doing well and have big fights coming up. We're all in the gym, working hard and pushing each other on to improve. We're sure we're going to come out with three wins over the coming months.
"I wouldn't have it any other way. It's a busy gym with Anthony Crolla, Scott Quigg and Scott Cardle. We push each other in the gym, on the track and in the pool. We'll all be in good condition for fight night.
"There'll be no distractions."
