FOUR weeks away from the third defense of his WBO junior middle-weight title, Liam “Beefy” Smith (23-0-1, 13 KOs) gives us a training camp update and a sneak peek into his strategy for conquering former middle-weight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (47-1-1, 33 KOs).
“Training camp will have been 12 weeks and the focus is to be in great shape and bully the bully. The fans should expect a great fight, a war,” said Smith. “Both of us have great variety and both box better on the front foot so we know nobody is going to want to give that up.”
In the twenty-six year-old former two-division world champion, Smith is expecting a stiff challenge but cautions the world that he shouldn’t be overlooked.
“I know Canelo will put up a very good fight and can fight and box-he’s a solid 154, but my strategy is to match him with everything, then go one step further and do things he doesn’t want to do,” continued Smith. “I think I have already surprised my fans and a lot of others with my size, I know many thought Canelo was a monster and a lot bigger than me, which he isn’t, but they will be also surprised how much I raise my game with a better fighter in front of me. ”
The September 17th clash will take place at the 100,000 seat AT&T Stadium, just outside of Dallas, Texas, a state with a massive Mexican-American population. Smith’s trainer Joe Gallagher feels that being the visiting party may work to his fighter’s advantage.
“Liam is a focused World Champion out to prove he’s a worthy world champ, said the Ring Magazine 2015 Trainer of the Year. “He is under no pressure. All pressure is on Canelo as challenger to win and win in style on Mexican Independence Day Weekend.”
Smith, who will be fighting in most important fight of his career is not understating the magnitude of this opportunity. “A win is going to mean everything, it’s going to change my life, give me a better future and announce myself as the best 154 pound fighter in the world.”
