Smith-Abraham II – A real rematch, for real reasons

 

 

Here we go folks, the latest in the line of the newly (or should that be newly again?) fashionable boxing rematches. This time it’s the likeable Paul Smith vs Arthur Abraham. In a division where the UK is more than ably represented by the likes of Carl Froch, James DeGale, George Groves, Rocky Fielding and Smith’s brother Callum, Paul has garnered himself another shot at the title.

 

On the 21st of February 2015, Paul will step once again up onto the world stage to show us all you can’t keep a good man down.Unlike a few of the recent previous rematches, this one is a bona fide nailed on genuine double take.By that, I mean this one isn’t for reasons of jazzed up promoter walleting – which makes a change.Smith met Abraham in September of this year in a close fight that left Eddie Hearn raging.

 

The scorecards that night – 117-111, 119-109, 117-111 – seemed vast, but the truth was Paul Smith had performed well and didn’t deserve the indignity of the numbers.If ever there was a real rematch, for real reasons, this is it. Just so happens the WBO title is there again for Smith to take too….Nobody underestimates Arthur Abraham and gets away with it, he’s just too tough and too well drilled, but could Paul Smith jr have simply too much energy for the Armenian?

One thing we did learn from their last fight was that Arthur can be bullied and that whatever granite he’s made from has begun to weather over time. Smith has a real chance.Also on the bill – like a phoenix rising from Tony Thompson’s armpit – is David Price (opponent yet to be decided). Price has been dogged by a series of injuries for nearly a year and will be eager to fight someone with a pulse. If he can rise above the two Thompson defeats the UK scene will be better for it.

The promotion has kicked off in the UK, with both fighters attending events in Liverpool, but the fight itself will take place in the jazzily named “O2 World Arena” in Berlin. The partisan crowd won’t bother Paul one bit. Above the noise of the Steins being filled will be a small but vocal group of Scousers paying as little as under £20 for a ticket to watch their local hero maybe pick up the belt. He would deserve it.