Liverpool’s WBO Super Welterweight titlist Liam Smith will be keeping a very close eye on this Saturday’s title triple header in Las Vegas.
In the main event Erislandy Lara defends his title against Vanes Martirosyan in a rematch of their 2012 bout that ended in a technical draw. Brothers Jermall and Jermell Charlo will look to make history in co-featured bouts as the first twins to hold title’s in the same division. Unbeaten Jermall makes the second defense of his belt against Austin Trout while Jermell takes on exciting contender John Jackson.
27 year-old Smith, who holds a record of 22 wins unbeaten with 12 KO’s, harbours dreams of unifying the 154 pound division with WBA Champion Lara and IBF titleholder Charlo on his list of future targets. Merseyside maverick Smith makes the third defence of his world title against Predrag Radosevic on June 4. ‘Beefy’ took time out of his training camp to share his thoughts on this weekend’s action.
Jermall Charlo vs. Austin Trout
“I’m looking forward to the three fights and I’m made up BoxNation captured them. I think the Charlo vs. Trout fight is probably the most interesting one out of the three. Trout’s a good fighter and a former world champion himself. To be honest I’d love to take on the winner of that fight. There was talk of me and Trout as my mandatory and it’s a fight that could definitely still be made if he wins. I pick Charlo to win on points in a close fight.”
Jermell Charlo vs. John Jackson
“The other Charlo brother against Jackson is another great fight. I can see Charlo stopping Jackson late on in round ten. Jackson isn’t a bad fighter, people over here only really know about him because of the Andy Lee fight which on paper he lost via knockout. If you actually watched the fight he was beating Lee in every round and was on the verge of finishing Lee until he pulled that shot out of the bag. He’s not a bad fighter but I pick Charlo to beat him.”
Erislandy Lara vs. Vanes Martirosyan
“The outcome of this fight all depends on which Lara turns up. They had a close fight before where they had a technical draw. Lara is a very talented boxer but not many people want to watch him and he’s taken a lot of stick recently. He won on points in a boring fight against Delvin Rodriguez who Miguel Cotto stopped and blew out in three rounds. He’ll be trying to prove a point and be more exciting. If he brings that style then it’ll allow Martirosyna into the fight.”
Tickets for Smith’s huge homecoming are priced £40 and £60 and are available from:
