Liam Smith: There is a reason Josh Kelly has not cut it at the top

Since his fight with Josh Kelly was announced, Liam Smith has probably answered more questions about his own ability and desire than he has about Kelly’s. 

Unfairly, the most recent memory boxing fans have of Smith, 33-4-1 (20 KOs), is the image of him following Chris Eubank Jr around the ring for the ten frustrating rounds their rematch lasted. His fire doused by injury and the difficulty of getting down to the weight, the tame fighter who stepped into the ring that night was a shadow of the fighter who destroyed Eubank Jnr in four rounds eight months earlier and a specter of the real Liam Smith.

The former WBO super welterweight champion’s determination and spite have been two of his calling cards throughout his career and, at 36 years old, Smith believes that they will once again be telling factors when he and Kelly fight at middleweight at Wembley Stadium on Sept. 21st.

Far from having to pick himself up to prepare for the fight with Kelly, 15-1-1 (8 KOs), Smith told Queensberry that he can’t wait to track down and impose himself on the talented but still unproven man from Sunderland. 

“His abilities have spoken for themselves since he turned pro. He’s unique, he’s flashy, he’s stylistic but he is where he is for a reason,” he said. “He hasn’t made that cut at the top for a reason. He lacks other things. You need more than just ability to make it to the top in this game and it’s down to me to exploit those things he hasn’t got. I feel there are loads of things I’ve got that he hasn’t. He feels he’s got stuff that I haven’t. I know I’ve got a lot more in the tank and a lot more in there [his chest] than Josh Kelly’s got.”

Kelly is capable of boxing beautifully and running through the gears in spectacular fashion once he has an opponent screwed down but, after seven years as a professional, the 30 year-old has yet to prove that he can do that against a top level operator. In 2021 he stepped up but was worn down and taken out in six rounds by the excellent David Avanesyan. 

Since reappearing as a super welterweight, Kelly has strung together four consecutive wins with a British title victory over a still dangerous Troy Williamson being the standout performance.

Smith represents a significant step up in both grade and weight. The Liverpudlian has developed into a solid middleweight and possesses many of the qualities that Avanesyan has. Smith has the bit between his teeth and wants to remind Kelly of the problems he faced against the Armenian. If he can, he believes that his career could still have some way to go. 

“It’s down to me to take him there. His ability can match up there with anybody but like we’ve seen with the David Avanesyan fight… I don’t think he’s mentally the toughest. I say that with the greatest respect but I’m here to do a job,” Smith said.

“He’s here to finish my career and I’m here to keep it going. I think it’s a must win for Josh also. he’s stepped up once before and lost and I think, at 30 years of age, he’s trying to step up again. If he doesn’t step up now he’s probably not ready to.”

John Evans has contributed to a number of well-known publications and websites for over a decade. You can follow John on X @John_Evans79