Smith v DeGale - smart or cynical?

It's happening. The man on the street, in the corner shop or wherever he is was spot on.

Saturday 11th December, Liverpool Echo Arena, champion Paul Smith v challenger James DeGale for the British super-middleweight title.

First off, this is a fascinating fight for fans, a real trade fight, the big test for DeGale to show everyone just how good he is and for Smith (right) the opportunity to ruin the party, and, against the backdrop of what is likely to be a career high pay day the chance to win the coveted Lonsdale Belt for keeps. So really this fight is a win-win. Or is it?

Some may argue that essentially the cards are stacked in the Olympian DeGale's favour - he is the fighter on the rise, the star of the stable potentially and tellingly the guy who has been heavily invested in. Smith, despite this fight taking place only a stone's throw from his 'ma's' house is certainly not the 'home' fighter in this match up.

The fight is almost a mirror image in terms of scenario to Naz v Steve Robinson. The good honest pro against the brash, rising star. On that occasion the rising star won easily and the rest as they say was history. Hamed, despite having never fought at the weight was installed as mandatory challenger to Robinson, so a bit like Newcastle United being promoted to the Premier League without kicking a ball in anger.

This fight also smacks of a little bit of this. DeGale has not really beaten anyone of any real consequence in terms of having the credentials to fight for a title of this magnitude. However in fairness, many feel he is already the best 12 stone fighter in the country and at least he (unlike Hamed was) is a fighter at the right weight for the match.

We all know the business by now. Glamour talks and in this case many feel that glamour will walk. DeGale looks the business it has to be said and the prevailing feeling is that he will win on December 11th.

So what of Smith? Should we feel some sympathy for him? Well, not really and I don't think Smith, being the proud fighting man that he is would want sympathy. As mentioned he will be getting well paid for this fight, his profile will be higher than it ever has and he has the ultimate chance to really ruin the script.

Boxing history is littered with these type of fights. Ironically, Smith's very own brother Stephen benefitted from a similar piece of matchmaking by playing the DeGale role when defeating John Simpson to capture the British title at featherweight. Tellingly, in a very close fight, the marquee name in the fight won a close decision. It is not too difficult to envisage a similar outcome in this fight. Indeed, it is not hard to see a stoppage win for DeGale where Smith is on the ropes taking nothing of any real significance.

We have seen these type of fights go wrong - Danny Williams v Julius Francis, Ashley Sexton v Shinny Bayaar and to a lesser extent Nigel Benn v Michael Watson spring to mind. Smith will have a lot of support and is more than capable of pulling off the 'upset'. Indeed he may be too seasoned for someone like DeGale.

Would the fight be happening if DeGale were with another promotional outfit? I think it's fair to say no.

However, whatever anyone's thoughts on the merits, outcome or significance of this fight it is certainly a fight which has caught the imagination and is a fight which is worth staying in for.

Really, that is all that matters.