Smith labels Dodson ‘a coward’ on eve of cross-city grudge match

BoxRec News correspondent Martin Dobbing talks to Liverpool’s British super-middleweight champion Paul Smith immediately after yesterday’s championship weigh-in ahead of his grudge title defence against city rival Tony Dodson at the Liverpool Echo Arena tonight.

They say the longer it takes you to become a champion the more you respect what has come your way, and the more difficult it is to tear that title away from you. Ever since Paul Smith turned pro in 2003 after claiming a silver medal in the Manchester Commonwealth Games (only losing to future world champion Jean Pascal in the final), great things have been expected from the Liverpool man. A stylish counter-puncher with confidence to burn, it seemed only a matter of time before he claimed a British title, and then inevitably moved on to world honours.

Life isn't always that easy though. A slow burning professional career, which included in 2007 an appearance on American TV show 'The Contender' left many wondering whether Smith could ever really deliver on the undoubted potential. Losing to capable but average Steve Bendall in 2008, albeit on a contentious decision, which most saw in favour of Smith, seemed only to re-enforce these doubts.

A move to super-middle, however, seemed to do the trick. Facing up against then British champion Tony Quigley, a man who had sent Smith's opponent on Friday, Tony Dodson, to hospital after twelve brutal rounds when claiming the British title himself in another cross-city dispute. After overcoming a tough start and early cut, Smith dethroned Quigley and claimed the British title on a split decision last October. Once again the decision was disputed, but no-one can deny that by the time the final bell sounded, Smith was the one in control.

Now he has the gold, one suspects by his demeanour, that it will take a strong man to take his converted prize away. Speaking to BoxRec News after the weigh in where he scaled 11st 13 lb 9oz, Smith was feeling bullish about his preparation going into this titanic battle.

“It has been ideal, same as last time, but this time I have made the weight even easier. The start was a bit tough as I had to get a bit of extra muscle off because I had been doing loads of extra strength training but the last bit was easy.”

The bad blood in the run-up to this fight has been more heated than we have seen in an domestic tear up in years. It will more than likely lead to an explosive fight, but many worry that it will affect the way the two men go about their business. Smith however, sees no problems in that direction.

“Everything affects the way you step into the ring, but I'm a professional and I know what I have to do with him. All this bravado, people think it's to sell tickets, but that's me, that's my game plan. I'm in his head. Tony's a coward, he's got that coward's streak every time he has fought.”

These words aren't new. Dodson came in for heavy criticism after he took a knee in his third round stoppage defeat to Carl Froch. Though the shot seemed a good one, may questioned whether he could have got up, even if it meant him getting stopped later on.

Smith goes on, “I know he choked, that's the main fight I have been watching because that is when I feel he was at his best. I have been watching it all week. That was when he as at his best and that is what I'm expecting.”

Though the Quigley fight had a tempestuous build up, straight after the fight the respect was there, that is one of the things we love about the noble art. Smash first, hug later. For Smith however, there will be no handshakes.

“To be honest I want nothing to do with him, before, during or after the fight. I want to beat him, he can retire or carry on and become a journeyman, he can go and do what he wants. I might get a bit of respect for him when we fight, you always do. I've got a lot of respect for Tony Quigley but I don't have any left for Tony Dodson.”

Let's make no bones about it, Smith is super confident, he is focused o and genuinely sees himself as better than Dodson. Is he right? We’ll soon find out. Still, with all this confidence and more importantly the talk of Smith getting a shot at WBO King Robert Steiglitz, could 'Smigga' be in any danger of over-looking his cross city opponent? None whatsoever, according to the champ.

“I'm not even looking past it to Brian Magee (reigning European super-middleweight champion). Tony Dodson is the biggest fight of my life.”

So, after all the harsh words, all the training, all the build up, does Paul Smith have any predictions? Just one for Liverpool's favourite son. “Just one, a Smith win, whether it be ugly, whether it be a spectacular knockout or whether it be points, it's going to be a Smith win.”

Strong words from a strong champion. You can hardly believe the City is big enough to hold both of the protagonists. Still, after this long and winding road, it will have to be one hell of a fighter to rip the hard earned Lonsdale belt off champion Paul Smith.

It remains to be seen if Tony Dodson is capable of such a task. British boxing cannot wait to find out.