Liam Smith excited about future fight with Janibek Alimkhanuly: ‘I’m desperate to be world champion again’ | boxing news

Liam Smith is decided to repeat a win over Chris Eubank Jr of their July 1 rematch after which struggle for a second world title.

Liverpool’s Smith, a former WBO tremendous welterweight belt holder, aspires to turn out to be a two-time world champion.

He could be able to problem the formidable WBO middleweight champion from Kazakhstan, Janibek Alimkhanuly, who fights Steven Butler within the early hours of Sunday morning reside on sky sports activities.

“He is not likely excessive threat, however low reward as a result of the reward is his world title,” Smith mentioned. sky sports activities.

“The struggle in opposition to Denzel Bentley introduced [Alimkhanuly] on a peg, however nonetheless a fairly good struggle. I’ve identified him for some time, watched him on the Olympics, seen him beat [Anthony] Fowler on the Olympics. He is solely had 13 fights but, an excellent fighter.”

His final purpose is that this second world title. “If I am thrilled, I am not sitting right here considering, ‘Wow, I am the person, everybody’s raving about me.’ That is how it’s,” he defined.

“One of many elements that gross me out – why I wish to be world champion once more – the world title was received and doubtless put above the wash basket. I simply did not like being world champion.

“I did not understand how vital it was. That is why I am determined, I’d like to be world champion once more. As a result of I’d cherish each second of it. I do know what which means.

“That is what I would really like.”

A second win over Eubank, once they struggle July 1st reside on Sky Sports activities ticket workplacewould affirm Smith as a world-class middleweight.

“I used to be the perfect 154lbs [boxer] in Britain for I do not know what number of years now. I am the perfect at 160 kilos now too,” Smith mentioned.

“I am simply going to maintain proving the factors in what’s beneath my management. I struggle Chris, I will show some extent – I am a greater fighter than Chris. I really feel now individuals are going to totally understand that.

“Lots of people might need thought I used to be a greater fighter than him, however perhaps thought Chris would win as a result of he was middleweight,” he continued.

“I used to be going to middleweight, he was classed as an enormous middleweight. It might have been lots of people’s alternative. However now individuals know – it does not matter if I am large enough for that, I can harm him too utterly.

“You have run a ballot now ‘Who’s profitable this struggle?’ I believe it could be 80-20 me on percentages.”

He does, nonetheless, have to beat Eubank Jr to place himself within the body of one other world title shot, whether or not that be at middleweight or drive him to return to super-welterweight.

“I beat him, I am in an excellent place. As a result of it does not harm me. I will beat Chris within the rematch now, no governing physique will let me down in any rankings,” Smith mentioned.

“The WBO has now moved me to No. 2 [at middleweight] and put Golovkin as No. 1, so I do not know what is going on to occur there. I beat Chris, I will most likely keep [in line to be] necessary there.

“I am additionally necessary for the WBC 154lb Liam Smith welcomes future struggle with Janibek Alimkhanuly: ‘I am determined to be world champion once more’ | Boxing Information. The necessary WBC might be subsequent in line at 154 kilos.

“I simply have to concentrate on Chris. I beat Chris once more, I am sitting in an excellent place.”

He insisted, with clear confidence in his voice, “I beat Chris as soon as, I will beat him twice.”

If he will get one other spectacular end, he’ll be a risk to the highest flight, at 160 or 154 kilos.

“He will not even be capable of contact me”

Alimkhanuly defends his title this weekend at Stockton Area in California in opposition to Canadian Steven Butler, reside on sky sports activities.

He threatens a extra dominant efficiency than in his final struggle in opposition to Briton Denzel Bentley.

“I ready very nicely for this struggle. I do not simply wish to defend my title. I wish to unify the titles,” Alimkhanuly mentioned.

“In my final struggle, I fought all 12 rounds and I felt like one thing was lacking. So we added a brand new health coach, and he helped me quite a bit. I had a very good prep. I actually get pleasure from working with Buddy. McGirt at Brickhouse Boxing.

“I discovered a brand new conditioning coach as a result of I perceive it should assist me develop. Should you maintain doing the identical issues, you may keep in the identical place. I needed to develop.

“I needed to struggle Jermall Charlo. I needed to struggle Erislandy Lara. To do this, I knew I needed to make some modifications.”

Butler warned that watching different fights was a threat. “He’ll make an enormous mistake if he tries to assume past me. I wish to knock him out. I would like the belt. That is it,” he mentioned.

“I realized quite a bit. I began boxing once I was 11. I am 27 now. So I’ve loads of expertise behind me. After I put all of it collectively on Saturday night time, I will shock the world.

“It means quite a bit to me. It is a dream come true. We labored a very long time for this title shot,” he added.

“I am not afraid of anybody. I’ve taken dangers all my life. Janibek is an efficient boxer. I’ve nothing unhealthy to say about him. However we labored onerous on this coaching camp. J ‘ve labored onerous all my life for this struggle.”

However Alimkhanuly concluded: “As a fighter, I actually respect him as a result of he says what he thinks. However I will present him that not solely he cannot knock me out, however he cannot even contact me. .”

Watch Janibek Alimkhanuly vs. Steven Butler reside on Sky Sports activities major occasion and Sky Sports activities Motion from 2 a.m. on Sunday morning.