Here Comes the Payne 11.16.09: Paul Smith Talks to 411mania
Posted by Michael Payne on 11.16.2009
This week I have been lucky enough to chat with the British super middleweight champion Paul Smith. American readers will also know Paul from series two of The Contender. See what Paul’s thoughts are on following in the footsteps of Calzaghe and Froch, what his future plans are and much more.
Paul Smith with Golden Boy
Fact File
Age – 27
Height – 5'11"
Alias – Real Gone Kid/Smigga
Home Town – Liverpool, England
Record – 28 (15), 1, 0
Achievements – 2002 Commonwealth light middleweight silver medallist
Former English middleweight champion
Current British super middleweight champion
Most American readers will remember Paul from The Contender series when he beat David Banks, but unfortunately didn't make it through to the next stage. British readers though will know him as the new British super middleweight champion. Paul beat fellow Liverpool boxer Tony Quigley by split decision on October 30th in his hometown.
The fight was a scrappy affair with Quigley tiring later in the fight and trying to hold Smith and put him off his game, but Paul kept his focus and was rightly awarded the verdict.
With winning the British title Paul is now starting to fulfill the potential that has been evident since early in his career. Coming from a big boxing family Paul and his brothers were all successful amateurs. Now he and promoter Frank Warren have high hopes of moving onwards and upwards with the ultimate goal being world glory.
Anyway enough from me, here is what Paul had to say in his own words.
Firstly Paul, thank you for taking the time to speak to 411mania and well done on becoming British super middleweight champion.
Boxing fans in America will probably know you best from your appearance in The Contender series. Did you enjoy your stint on the show and what did you learn from it?
I loved it, it was a great experience and one I'll remember. A lot of British fighters dream of fighting in the states. Not many get to do it. I did it on a prime-time network T.V show.
It's also not every day you get to literally mingle with greats like Sugar Ray, Buddy McGirt and have lads like Oscar and Mosley drop in to say hello.
The U.S fans were great, training in Florida after the stint was a strange experience getting stopped in local supermarkets etc.
You come from a boxing family and have two younger brothers, both pro boxers. Does that cause a bit of rivalry to see who will go the furthest?
Every bit of rivalry between us is 100% friendly. We only want the best for each other and hand on heart there's no jealousy. There are 3 professionals and Callum is a top amateur England/GB rep and National champion. I think we have a record in our family – 20 National titles between 4 of us brothers. Not many amateur gyms get that!
You have also got a good amateur pedigree having won silver in the commonwealth games in 2002. You lost narrowly to Jean Pascal, who is now Light heavyweight world champion. What are your memories of fighting him?
He could punch. He was cocky and arrogant but that's part and parcel of the game. You could say he was just being professional. He didn't like being roughed up but was clever and as I said earlier, he couldn't half whack!
When you are not busy training what other interests fill your time?
I spend as much time as I can at home with my family. My 3 year old son keeps me on my toes, he is a little character and I love spending time with him. I play a bit of snooker and pool with my brothers but my main hobby is racing my pigeons.
What was it like to win the British title in your home town of Liverpool and has it sunk in yet?
It was a great feeling having it confirmed. I knew I'd do it and there were no doubts but until it's set in stone there's always the un-certainty of a points verdict!
I knew I had the better of him in every department and I trained properly 100% which showed in the championship rounds when I had plenty left in the tank to see me through.
Smith and Quigley being held apart by Liverpool footballer Jamie Carragher
Past British super middleweight champions include Joe Calzaghe and Carl Froch. What is it like following in there footsteps?
I'd love to follow in their next footsteps winning world titles!
It's an honor to be mentioned in the same sentence as those two with what they have achieved in boxing. The next goal for me is a European title and hopefully a world title. It's not impossible and I will work as hard as I can to achieve the goals. If I can be half as successful as them two lads I've cracked it.
You Tony seemed to have a dislike for each other before the fight. Was there genuine bad blood there or was it just to do with the occasion?
It just spiraled from nothing really. Tony had the problems so I just added to them. It's funny now looking back.
If someone says they don't like me then I'm hardly going to be nice in return.
I think Tony had in his head that it was just to sell tickets where as I don't do the acting…. But I think deep down he doesn't like me.
I don't lose any sleep over it.
Quigley seemed to make it a very awkward fight, holding and coming in with the head. Did he fight as you expected?
No, I expected him to box and move for the first 6 until he ran out of steam but from round 3 he was blowing and reverted to looking for the big shot and wrestling. I'm no wrestler but I've always been good in clinches. I couldn't do much with Quigley inside, the wrestling background and experience he had helped him a lot and he seemed terrified of taking any to the body. He made it look like I was holding, but I learned from experience to keep my head and stay in control.
It was a scrappy fight, not a good performance from my self at all, the pressure was massive but it was a win by whatever means fight for me. The result is all people will remember in 5, 10 and 20 years time.
Did the cut from the clash of heads in round 5 cause you a lot of problems?
Not a lot but I did ‘switch off'
I think too much in fights at times and the cut made me lose focus on the game plan.
I didn't maintain the pressure I wanted to in the middle rounds but cuts are now the norm, hence me having the best in the business in my corner in Mick Williamson.
I have had 8 cuts now and not one with a punch. All head clashes.
You looked the stronger man by the final bell, while Quigley seemed to be a lot more tired, did you anticipate it going the distance?
I knew I was stronger and fitter, like I said earlier there wasn't a department I felt he had an advantage in.
I trained to be 100%. I know if I am 100% then I will do 12 rounds in my sleep. The talk before was that he had the edge in stamina, and we used to laugh at it in our gym but deep down it done my head in because there was no logic behind the claims. He did 12 rounds once when he won the title, but stood on the ropes losing 8 rounds in the meantime! Then criticized me for not doing 12! I had done 8 rounds four times and 10 rounds once. He had done 6 rounds only once!
So it was just a case of more fuel to my fire and more motivation to show the stamina that I have, which was good and I have to thank my trainers Georgie & Danny for that, also my Dad and the lads in our camp pushing each other on. It is a brilliant atmosphere and makes training there a bit more painless.
Promoter Frank Warren said there would be a rematch after the fight. What has the first fight taught you in terms of preparing for a rematch?
I don't feel there will be a re-match. I have nothing to gain by beating Quigley again. I am going forwards in my career and a re-match would be going backwards. I think Tony should move down to Middleweight. He's strong and could do things at that weight. His punch power would be more effective at middle also.
What are your future plans?
Frank Warren has been great to me through my career and I have faith in him. So whatever he has planned is next. It's an old cliché but I will fight anyone and it's all about pound notes. I want to pay my mortgage and provide for my son. I get that by winning the titles. I'd love a European shot and of course a world title fight…. But first I wouldn't mind keeping this lovely belt of mine for good.
Thank you again for your time and good luck from everyone here at 411mania.
