Liam Smith (boxer)

Amateur career

As an amateur, Smith fought for Rotunda ABC in Liverpool. He is a two-time winner of the ABA Championships, having won in 2007 and 2008, fighting at light welterweight. In 2007 he defeated Luke Gray (of Stevenage ABC) and in 2008 he defeated Steve Turner (of the British Army).

Early career

Liam Smith made his professional debut at light-middleweight on 10 October 2008 against Duncan Cottier at the Everton Park Sports Centre, Liverpool. In a four-round fight, Smith won on points as referee Steve Gray scored it (40-36). This was part of a stacked card by Queensberry Promotions which also had future world titlists such as Nathan Cleverly, Anthony Crolla, Tony Bellew as well as Liam's older brother Stephen. In his second pro fight, Smith defeated John Van Emmenis via 1st-round TKO. Smith only fought twice in 2009, outpointing Kevin McCauley and Darren Gethin in four round contests. Smith fought three times in 2010, first a 4-round points win over Billy Smith, a (38-38) points draw against Terry Carruthers and a 2nd round TKo of veteran Matt Scriven. After a 9-month lay off, Smith fought twice again in 2011, a 3rd-round KO off Barrie Jones and a 1st-round KO off Gerard Healy. Healy dropped to one knee from a bodyshot and right uppercut and was counted out. 2012 was the most active year of Smith since his pro debut as he fought five times, an 8 rounds points win against Paul Morby, a 1st-round TKO win against Andrew Patterson, a six-round points win against Dee Mitchell and a 10-round points win against Gary McMillan which was a British light-middleweight title eliminator. At the age of 24, this left Smith with a record of 12 wins, 5 by way of knockout, 1 draw and no losses.

British light-middleweight champion

Smith had his last fight of 2015 on December 15 at the ExCel Arena in London, for the vacant Commonwealth light-middleweight title against Steve O'Meara (16-2, 5 KOs) in his first 12-round fight. Smith knocked O'Meara down in round 1 and went on to win the fight on all three scorecards (118-110, 116-112 twice). After a 6-month gap, Smith returned to his hometown of Liverpool to defeat journeyman Max Maxwell on points after 6 round. Smith had his next tough fight on 21 September 2015 against Kenyan born Erick Ochieng (14-1, 4 Kos) at the Olympia. Smith won via 12 round unanimous decision on all scorecards (116-113, 117-112 twice) to win the vacant BBBofC British light-middleweight title. In December, Smith successfully defended the title by stopping Mark Thompson (24-3, 15 KOs) in round 4. Thompson was down twice in the 3rd round. In July 2014, Smith defended the title again this time winning by way of knockout against Jason Welborn (15-2, 16 KOs) in round 6.

Rising up the Ranks

On 25 October 2014 Smith beat Zoltan Sera (16-2, 10 KOs) at the Echo Arena in Liverpool for the vacant WBA Continental light-middleweight title. Smith was cut above the right eye in a 2nd round head clash which required 5 stitches, and Sera was knocked down in the 3rd round as the fight came to an end. On 6 March 2015, Smith fought againa t the Echo Aerna, this time against Robert Talarek. Smith won via 8th-round TKO. A month later in April, Smith fought and defeated David Ezequiel Romero via 7th-round TKO to win the vacant WBO Inter-Continental light-middleweight title. Romero was knocked down once in the 3rd round, twice in the 5th and once in the 6th before the fight came to an end. After the win, this left Smith with a record of 20 wins with 10 by knockout, 1 draw and no losses.

Smith vs. Thompson

It was announced on August 2015 that Smith would fight John Thompson (17-1, 6 KOs) for the WBO light-middleweight title, left vacant by Demetrius Andrade. Smith was initially supposed to be taking on Frenchman Michel Soro, only for an internal issue with promoters Top Rank to force him out. The fight took place on 10 October at the Manchester Arena, Manchester. Smith became the new WBO world champion after seeing off Thompson with a seventh-round knockout. Smith slowly grew into the fight following a defensive first few rounds. By the time the sixth round came Smith, one of four boxing brothers, was on the rise thanks to a few well-placed jabs and he produced the decisive punch in the seventh, leaving the referee to wave the fight in his favour.

Smith vs. Kelly

On 19 December 2015, Smith returned to the Manchester Arena on the undercard of Lee–Saunders World title fight. Smith dominated 'Jimmy' Kilrain Kelly (16-0, 7 KOs), making his first successful defense of his WBO light-middleweight title. Kelly was deducted two points in the sixth round for illegal head butting, and stopped late in the seventh round. Kelly produced a brave display, against the more experienced champion. Despite Smith dominating the contest, Kelly showed his guts and potential, troubling Smith on occasions in almost every round.

Smith vs. Radosevic

On 9 May 2016, Smith announced he would defend his World title against Predrag Radosevic (30-1, 11 KOs) at the Echo Arena on 4 June. This was Smith's first defence of his new title in his home city of Liverpool. This was announced after Austin Trout backed out. Smith won the fight in the 2nd round to retain his world title. This was Smith's eight consecutive knockout victory.

Smith vs. Álvarez

On 24 June it was announced that Smith would make his 3rd defence of his world title against Mexican Saul 'Canelo' Álvarez (47-1-1, 33 KOs) on 17 September in the main event on an HBO PPV card. Golden Boy Promotions announced on July 18, the bout will take place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The other venue looking to host the fight was the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The fight was contested at the official light middleweight of 154 lbs and not 155 lbs, a weight in which Álvarez had fought his last 5 fights.

Smith lost his first fight as a professional when he was knocked down following a vicious left hook to the body in round 9. Smith, who lost his world title, was dropped once in round 7 and once in round 8. Álvarez was in control from the opening bell. The fight broke the boxing attendance record at the stadium, with an announcement of 51,240. Golden Boy later announced fight drew an estimated 300,000 ppv buys.

Regaining composure

In January 2017, negotiations began for a fight between Smith and 24 year old fellow Brit Liam Williams (16-0-1, 11 KOs), who are said to be long standing rivals, to take place on 8 April 2017. At an official press conference on 23 January, Frank Warren announced the fight would take place at the Manchester Arena in Manchester on 8 April as a co-feature with Terry Flanagan's WBO lightweight title defence against Petr Petrov. Early reports indicated it would be for the WBO world title, however Álvarez had not vacated. Instead Williams would be defending his WBO European title. Smith later said that fighting Williams, unless a world title is on the line, would be a backwards step for his career.

On 18 March 2017 Smith traveled to Spain and fought a four-round fight, winning on points. He defeated journeyman Marian Cazacu at the Club Entrena in Barcelona. This was under the radar as it was never mentioned prior to the fight.

Smith vs. Williams

Frank Warren successfully petitioned to the WBO to elevate the Smith vs. Williams fight to be for the interim WBO light-middleweight title. On 22 March, it was officially announced. This would also mean, should Álvarez vacate the title, the winner would become full titleholder or if he decided to return to the 154 division, he would be obliged to fight the winner. Smith failed to make weight, weighing in at 155.4 pounds. He was given the standard time to make weight later on, which he failed to do.

Although the fight would still take place, should Smith win, the title would have remained vacant. It was the first time in eight years that Smith had failed to make weight. Smith failed to lift the vacant WBO interim title, but won the fight at the end of round 9 when Williams pulled from the fight due to an eye injury, which was later revealed to be a double laceration on his right eyelid. At the time of stoppage, all three judges had Williams ahead by 1 point. It was uncertain as to how the cut occurred, which many ringside believing it was clash of heads. Had the fight gone to scorecards, Williams would have claimed the vacant title. A rematch was talked about in the post fight.

Smith vs. Williams II

On 25 April, Frank Warren told Boxing News that he had spoken to both boxers and they agreed to wanting to fight again. He also went on to say it would likely take place in September. He said, “That gives them plenty of time to recover from the cuts and injuries from the first fight, they both need to be 100 per cent for a rematch.” There was no confirmation as to whether the interim WBO title would be at stake again. On 7 May, Warren tweeted that a deal had been agreed and the rematch would be an official WBO world title eliminator. Warren announced the fight would take place on 28 October 2017 in Manchester. Due to both boxers not willing to give away home advantage, Warren confirmed the fight would take in Newcastle at the Metro Radio Arena. Due to the announcement of Anthony Joshua’s defence of his world titles against mandatory challenger Kubrart Pulev, Frank Warren pushed the fight back to take place on 11 November 2017.