Stephen Smith says he wants to land a second World title shot in 2016 – and will show he’s ready to rule the world when he takes on Daniel Brizuela for the vacant WBC Silver Super-Featherweight crown at Goodison Park in Liverpool on Sunday May 29, live on Sky Sports.
Smith is straight back into action after challenging Jose Pedraza for the IBF strap in Connecticut in April, with his brave challenge against the classy Puerto Rican ending in a points loss.
‘Swifty’ believes he’s a better fighter for the experience of his first World title shot, and the 30 year old wants to jump straight back in and believes a good win over the Argentine will underlined his credentials at the top level.
“I want to get another World title fight as soon as possible,” said Smith. “I am not getting any younger and I have shown I belong at that level so I want to stay at that level and be put straight back in at that level. If somebody offered me a World title fight next fight I would take it.
“My confidence hasn’t dropped and I didn’t take any negatives from the Pedraza fight other than the results. I learnt a lot from it and will become a better fighter from it. It will only stand me in good stead for the future so the sooner I can get another shot at a World title the better.”
“A lot of people see it as tough for me to get motivated having been up for a World title fight but for me, fighting on this massive bill, is going to be huge for me and I want to perform and look good in front of my fans.
“It wasn’t the result I aimed for and believed I would get in America but I have to give credit to Pedraza because I performed well and did a lot of things which made me think he is a good fighter. I learnt a lot from sharing the ring for 12 good rounds with him.
“I thought it was a very even fight after eight rounds and then there was a knockdown I kicked myself over. It was one of those where it wasn’t really a big shot, it was more down to my feet placement than anything else.
“I was a little bit off balance and the shot caused me to touch down. It was a big swing giving him a two-point round with only three rounds to go and I knew I had an uphill task from there. When the final bell went I thought he had won.
“On the night I don’t think I could have given much more, when I watch it back there are things you look at which you think could have gone a bit different but on the night I did everything I could and did my best and the better man won on the night. But that doesn’t mean I don’t believe I belong at that level and don’t believe I couldn’t beat him on another night, it just wasn’t my night.”
Smith’s clash with Brizuela is part of a huge night of action in Liverpool as Tony Bellew looks to land the vacant WBC World Cruiserweight title against KO king Ilunga Makabu.
Birkenhead’s Sean ‘Masher’ Dodd faces Pasquale Di Silvio for the vacant WBC International Lightweight title, while Tom Farrell meets Kofi Yates in an eliminator for the English Super-Lightweight title.
Smith’s Super-Middleweight brothers Paul and Callum are also in action, Liverpool Heavyweight favourite David Price is back on home soil and there’s a host of young talent on display including British Light-Heavyweight champion Hosea Burton, Preston’s Commonwealth gold medallist Scott Fitzgerald and Merseysiders JJ Metcalf, Paul Economides, Gerard Carroll, Craig Glover and Steve Brogan.
Tickets are on general sale now priced £40, £60, £100 and £200 and can be purchased by visiting www.evertonfc.com/eticketing, or by calling 0151 556 1878*. Alternatively, tickets can be purchased in person by visiting the Park End ticket office or our City Centre ticket facility in Everton Two, Liverpool One. £350 VIP tickets will be available exclusively from www.matchroomboxing.com
Opening times for all ticket outlets can be found here.
*Booking fees apply.
Tickets for May 29 are also available from http://www.stubhub.co.uk/matchroom-boxing-tickets/ – StubHub is the official ticket partner and marketplace of Matchroom Boxing and Anthony Joshua MBE.
Photo credit: Lawrence Lustig
