Stephen Smith relishing ‘huge opportunity’ against Francisco Vargas

Stephen Smith on Canelo Alvarez

LIVERPOOLโ€™S Stephen Smith will travel to Las Vegas on December 9 to fight Francisco Vargas. Itโ€™s a non-title bout but Smith hopes victory will put in the frame for another world championship fight.

โ€œStephen Smith, December 9 a huge opportunity for him,โ€ his trainer Joe Gallagher told Boxing News. โ€œOriginally it was the European title fight, then an offer came in for [Orlando] Salido and then he ended up with Francisco Vargas, whoโ€™s been in fight of the year for the last three years. Heโ€™s absolutely been in some right wars. Itโ€™s a huge opportunity for Stephen Smith. I think heโ€™s the first Scouser since John Conte in the 70s to fight in Las Vegas. Thatโ€™s a huge thing. I was really surprised when I read that somewhere.โ€

Joe continued, โ€œStephen is headlining a big fight there, Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, a 10 round contest. The reward is worth the risk. If you look at the WBC top 10 super-featherweight ranks, I think the top seven are Mexican. Such a strong division, the strongest division in world boxing, super-featherweight. Itโ€™s just a shame, heโ€™s travelled twice before, New York then Monaco, unfortunate and he goes again. I think heโ€™s eight or nine in the WBC [rankings], Vargas is two. Heโ€™ll put himself back in the picture for a world title fight. Heโ€™s got it all to gain and not much to lose.โ€

stephen smith

It will surely be a tough fight. In itself expect a thriller. โ€œI think thereโ€™s no shortcuts in that division, if you look at the champions in the division,โ€ Gallagher explained. โ€œIf you got through that top 10, you think wow. Itโ€™s unbelievable, tough division.

โ€œI think world title eliminators are as good as world title fights.โ€

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