'The Boxing Fan Man' Anish Parekh questions Liam ‘Beefy’ Smith's matchmaking
BBN writer Anish Parekh:
Liam ‘Beefy’ Smith is a former WBO super-welterweight champion, he has a fan-friendly style, is one-quarter of four boxing brothers, and comes from Liverpool – a city with a rich history of developing champions and supporting their own. The question is, despite all these things, why hasn’t Smith had more success?
Such a unique combination of traits and circumstances would normally lend themselves to becoming a recipe for success, but in Smith’s case there is a feeling of a fighter who has not quite fulfilled his potential to be as a world class boxer.
Quality matchmaking is crucial when building any fighter. Take Conor Benn for example – he has steadily developed his skills in the gym, whilst being perfectly matched against recognizable opponents, who ultimately have seen better days or have styles that play into the heavy hands of Benn. That isn’t to deny the vast improvements Benn has made as he is clearly a dedicated student of boxing, and in his last outing outshone the bright lights he fought under when sensationally knocking out former titlist Chris Algieri. His stunning knockout sent shockwaves across the pond and even American observers discuss him in the same conversation alongside blue-chip uber talents like Jaron Ennis and Vergil Ortiz Jr.
Contrast that with Smith, who hasn’t quite benefitted from the same impeccable matchmaking. Up until he surrendered his title to Canelo Alvarez in 2016, he had an easy time feasting on a mixture of domestic no-hopers and nearly-men, and unfamiliar foreigners, many of whom achieved little prior to facing Smith, and even less after being dispatched by him.
Following another setback, losing to WBO champion Jaime Munguia, Smith took a chance by leaving long-term promoter Frank Warren, hoping that better opportunities would come his way by signing with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom stable.
However, the man who many credit as reviving boxing in Britain has also struggled to successfully promote the Liverpudlian. The decision to take on Russian challenger Magomed Kurbanov in Russia was surely a misstep. The winner would edge closer to a shot at the WBO, but this was nothing but a mirage for Smith, who was always unlikely to prevail on the scorecards against the home favourite despite most thinking he had done enough to defeat Kurbanov. The undeserved defeat setback Smith’s ambitions, such is the brutal nature of boxing as a sport and a business.
Since then, it has simply been more of the same batch of uninspiring human punch bags opponents that have done little for the progression of Smith’s reputation.
Although some may argue that Smith did enjoy a fine Merseyside derby victory against Anthony Fowler, it is questionable whether matching him with a British level fighter in Fowler hinders rather than helps Smith’s identity as a world class operator. Boxers often need to capture the imagination of fans and media but the sight of him sharing the ring with domestic level opponents like Fowler and previously Sam Eggington, perpetuates a perception that there are limitations to his ability, simply by association with those tough but modestly skilled fighters.
In Jessie Vargas, Liam Smith finally has a globally recognizable opponent. A former titleholder who has fought, lost but never disgraced himself against elite warriors such as Tim Bradley, Manny Pacquiao and Mikey Garcia. However, Smith should be a heavy favourite as, even though the American is well-rounded, he doesn’t possess any standout qualities, he is the smaller man, and is likely now fighting past his prime as suggested by his recent form and inactivity.
However, the psychological impact of quality matchmaking is a strange and wonderful thing.
Despite Vargas’s disadvantages, his strong name-value is something that Smith could benefit from having on his record. Casual fans will fail to consider the nuances and factors around the fight and fighters, as Eddie Hearn will create enough noise around Vargas being a genuine threat from being a name that is synonymous with battles against legendary fan-favourites.
Whilst Smith doesn’t want to make a habit of purging on past-it names, a contest with Vargas serves a purpose, as the power of beating a recognizable name can enhance the reputation of even the most average of pugilists, when done correctly and sparingly.
Although Liam Smith should take some responsibility for the direction of his career, the matchmaking and promotion he has received so far have failed to give him enough momentum to keep pace with the big names atop the division.
However, after February this year – postponed date pending – Smith has the opportunity to grab the attention of the boxing world with a standout performance that earns him one last crack at world super-welterweight supremacy.
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