Swaggering super-featherweight starlet Mitchell Smith intends to place capital upstart George Jupp firmly in his place when the pair clash for the WBO Inter-Continental title on Frank Warren’s mega Manchester Arena card on December 19th.
‘I think this is a really good way to finish a good year for me,’ says the 22 year old, presently unbeaten in 13, including seven (often spectacular) stoppage wins.
‘Besides, it’s a pleasure and an honour to get a chance to fight on easily Frank’s best show of 2015. I’ll focus very hard in camp over to Marbella and, on the night, I’ll ‘switch on’. I intend delivering a performance that’ll leave all the fans ranting and raving!’
With three brutal stoppage demolitions over imported competition plus the acquisition of the 2015 Young Boxer of the Year award, the ex ABA featherweight champion from Harrow Weald has established the foundation from which to launch an assault on world glory next year.
‘The plan is to stay in the gym over Christmas then head to the US for sparring in the New Year. In 2016, I aim to stay fit, drop to 9st, pick up the British title and a world rating, then really kick on,’ says ‘King Mitch’ who is ranked eighth in the world at 130lbs by the WBO.
Reigning Southern Area king Jupp is two years older, almost five inches taller and arrives for battle unbeaten in over four years. Nevertheless, as ever, Smith is supremely confident of executing a spectacular stoppage win for his huge battalion of fans.
He says: ‘George has an okay jab and has put together eight decent wins. Because he’s tall and long, he also presents a different style for me to get past, another challenge to conquer and tick off.
‘Look, this is his world title fight. No doubt he’ll train extremely hard but he barely scraped through his Southern Area title fight. He’ll find I’m world class.
‘From our past spars, George knows he can’t win. I know exactly what he’s got and he’s pretty plain. No doubt he’ll run and spoil, try to fiddle his way through to points but once his back hits the ropes I’ll get hold of him.
‘I’d be very, very disappointed with myself if I didn’t knock him out. I feel I’m several leagues above him; I’m too strong and hit way too hard.’
Frank Warren’s end of year title extravaganza ‘X-Mas Cracker’ is headlined by two massive world title showdowns with WBO World Middleweight Champion Andy Lee defending his title against Billy Joe Saunders and WBO World Super-Welterweight Champion Liam Smith making his first title defence against Jimmy Kelly. A staggering SIX further titles are on the line with Mitchell Smith defending his WBO Intercontinental Super-Featherweight title against George Jupp; Paul Butler challenges for the Vacant WBO European Super-Flyweight Championship against Silvio Olteanu; Tommy Langford defends his WBO Intercontinental Middleweight Championship; Commonwealth Super-Welterweight Champion Liam Williams and Kris Carslaw clash with the Vacant British title also on the line; Jack Catterall defends his WBO Intercontinental Super-Lightweight Championship, and Adrian Gonzalez defends his WBO Intercontinental Lightweight Championship. Plus the undercard features Merseyside favourite Derry Mathews and Indian superstar Vijender Singh.
Tickets are priced at £40, £50, £75, £100, £200 and £300 are available from:
www.frankwarren.com
