Arthur Abraham vs. Paul Smith: Fight Time, Date, TV Info and More
On Saturday, from his adopted home of Germany, WBO super middleweight champion "King" Arthur Abraham will defend his title against former BBBofC titleholder Paul "Real Gone Kid" Smith.
The 34-year-old champion has won his last four fights, and this will be his second defense of the title. This is Abraham's second stint with the WBO strap, and it's his third world-title reign.
The man opposing him is in search of his first world title. The 31-year-old Smith has faced many of the top names on the British boxing scene within his weight region, but he hasn't been able to get a win against them.
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He was stopped by both George Groves and James DeGale in 2011 and 2010, respectively.
In this, his first shot at a world title, Smith will be trying to shock an experienced and notoriously powerful champion in a fight most expect the challenger to lose.
Here's how you can catch the bout.
When: Saturday, Sept. 27 at 3:30 p.m. ET
TV: Sky Sports 2
Looking to End It Quickly
A bit of a standard has been set by DeGale and Groves as it pertains to Smith. Styles make fights, but we can't help but compare results when fighters have common opponents.
Since both DeGale and Groves are considered upper-echelon fighters, and Abraham is a world champion, there's some expectation that the "King" should win as impressively over Smith as his younger contemporaries.
Abraham is known for his one-punch KO power.
Of his 40 wins, 28 of them have come by stoppage. That said, he hasn't stopped an opponent since 2012. Has he lost a bit of the snap on his punches? If so, the playing field could be leveled in this bout. The old Abraham would have had his power as a primary weapon, and Smith would have had to respect that advantage.
If Abraham's explosiveness is a thing of the past, this fight might be interesting.
Major Opportunity
Smith knows how big this fight is for his career. This could be his only shot at a world title, and he's determined to make the best of it.
Per Sky Sports, Smith said this in a pre-fight press conference: "I am the underdog and this is my first world title fight. Arthur Abraham has had 18 or 19 world title fights so it's a massive chance for me and that's exactly how I want it. You don't get given world titles. It's going to be the hardest fight of my life but I'm prepared for that."
Smith's recent opposition doesn't suggest that he should even be in this position. Since being demolished by Groves inside of two rounds, just half of the opponents Smith has faced have had winning records.
One of his wins came over Jamie Ambler, who is 10-52-2.
That said, Smith has been a pro since 2003, and he was the British champion, so it isn't as if he's a complete stiff. Can he rise to the occasion and pull off the improbable win?
At least one person in the boxing world believes it's possible. Former champion Richie Woodhall told Phil Kirkbride of the Liverpool Echo:
"It is a tough ask, no doubt, and this could well be his last chance to win the world title but I rate Paul Smith and always have done. I rate the family, they are an exceptionally talented boxing family and Paul has got a lot of quality. You have got to give him a chance because he has power, especially in his left hook.
He has decent skills as well. It is a 60-40 fight against him but if anyone can pull it off, it’s Paul. Arthur is no spring chicken and in the last few fights he has shown that he is wearing a little bit so I do rate Paul’s chances. But it will [be] tough.
"
Woodhall's words seem like part endorsement and part hope. On Saturday, Smith will get the opportunity to come through for Woodhall and anyone that is backing him.
Prediction
Abraham is not the same fighter he was three years ago. His stamina late is a question mark, and his ability to make opponents respect his power has waned. That said, over the last two years, Abraham has adjusted his style.
He's a better pure boxer than he was before, and his counter-punching skills have seemingly elevated.
While he's not knocking guys out at the clip he was in previous years, he is outpointing them.
Smith's jab is his best weapon, and that's a good thing. He'll need it against Abraham. Expect to see the challenger use a calculated plan to stay on the outside and try to utilize his speed and lateral movement.
There's only one problem with that strategy. Because he won't enjoy an enormous advantage over Abraham when it comes to speed and agility, this approach will make for a close fight. Because the bout is taking place in Germany, Smith's chances of winning a tight decision are slim.
Both men will do solid work, but in the end, Abraham will win a competitive unanimous decision.
Follow Brian Mazique on Twitter. I dig boxing and MMA.
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