Smith thinks longer term
British super-middleweight champion Paul Smith hopes victory over local rival Tony Dodson next Friday will help propel him towards his "ultimate goal" of a world title.
Smith (28-1) and Dodson (24-5-1) top a bill dubbed "The Pride of Merseyside" at the Liverpool Echo Arena, and the build-up to the bout has been dominated by a bitter war of words between the two former sparring partners.
"A world title is the ultimate aim, the ultimate goal and the final ambition for me," said Smith after an open workout session held at the Liverpool One shopping complex.
Dodson was unable to attend the workout due to a minor hand injury, although this setback is not enough to threaten his participation in the bout.
Smith added: "If I win a world title I will have achieved everything I wanted to achieve in boxing regardless of what I do after it."
The current Showtime Super Six World Boxing Classic - a competition which is attempting to find the super-middleweight division's undisputed champion by pitting six of its elite fighters against one another over the course of 12 fights - could actually aid Smith's pursuit of a world belt.
WBO champion Robert Stieglitz is not involved in the tournament but Arthur Abraham and Allan Green, ranked one and three respectively, are taking part. Number two challenger Eduard Gutknecht is facing Stieglitz in April.
"I'm ranked number four and some of those above me are in the Super Six so the I'm next in line for a shot after the next defence the champion makes," Smith explained.
"Dodson has said in the press that he doesn't rate Stieglitz, but far from it, he's a good fighter and that shows Dodson's lack of respect.
"But I feel I've got the beating of Stieglitz and it's a fight that I'd love to have, but first and foremost Dodson has got 100% of my attention and I want to get him out of there."
Date published :
04 Mar 2010 - 19:58:09
