Last chance saloon for Liam Smith at world level?

Last chance saloon for Liam Smith at world level?

By Thomas Lyons

Liam Smith returns to the states this weekend where he’ll face the power punching Mexican Jaime Munguia who defeated Sadam Ali back in May to become the new WBO super-welterweight champion of the world.

Smith has experienced this sort of occasion at the elite level sharing a ring with pound-for-pound king Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and knows exactly how to adapt to these situations and surroundings. Fighting abroad can be a daunting thing for some fighters but the talented Liverpudlian relishes another shot at the WBO belt that he held and defended before losing to another ferocious Mexican puncher.

The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas is the host venue for this stellar event which features Alberto Machado and Rafael Mensah for the WBA world super-featherweight title live on HBO.

Machado makes the first defence of his title after his KO win against the powerful Panamanian Jezreel Corrales. The Ghanaian Mensah comes into the clash with Machado, undefeated with 31 wins including 23 KOs which presents a huge threat to the Puerto Rican (19-0). Undefeated records are on the line and nobody wants to surrender this for huge unification fights in the future, in the packed 130lb division.

Britain’s Liam Smith will look to avenge his loss to Canelo, the only defeat on his excellent resume which includes wins over fellow domestic contender Liam Williams, beating the Welshmen twice during their feud.

Munguia also makes the first defence of his belt and made light work of Sadam Ali who had dethroned the long-serving legend of the sport, Miguel Cotto.

One would assume that this is Smith’s last shot at world level having challenged for the WBO version and scheduled to fight Ali when he was victorious last December.

Smith has gone through the traditional stages of being a professional boxer, accomplishing British and European titles to earn his stripes at the elite level.