This guy has now won six fights in a row. Those six wins have come in just one round. His first two fights were won on points against guys with records of 2-14-0 and 7-56-4. He then beat his next three opponents in one round who had more losses on their records too. In his sixth fight he beat a fellow prospect in one round who had a 3-0 record. He then beat a guy with more losses on his record in one round again. Last night, he stepped up in class to face Patrick Mendy...a guy with a 14-6-1 record who is a tough, durable opponent who went 12 rounds with Patrick Nielsen in February. Mendy was meant to give Smith rounds...even trouble and test him. Smith blasted him out of there in no time at all...less than 2 minutes or something. It was a massive statement for sure! Smith's now 8(6)-0-0. He's 23 and the English super middleweight champion. He's very tall for a super middle. Stands at 6'3". Great thing about him too is that not only does he have power, he's very mobile on his feet for a big guy and a fairly patient, tidy boxer who isn't too wild. Some of you may have heard of Mendy and for Smith to dispose of him in that fashion was impressive. Now, I don't want to get carried away, but I think he's Britain's best prospect at this minute. We all want upcoming fighters to make a statement everytime they step in the ring and he's doing exactly that. I'd like to eventually see him face a real tricky, technical opponent soon or even an opponent who can handle his power and give some back. Still questions marks of course, but I have to admit I'm excited about this guy!
I am excited about him as well. I first noticed him at Froch-Kessler II card where he was facing this other prospect with 3-0 record. I was broadcasting the card so I was trying to create a story between a "technically skilled protected amateur" (=Smith) and a "brawler who likes to bang". I had barely began when Smith already had whacked the guy out. About the opponents you mentioned Ruslans Pojonisevs wasn't a joke either. He has an ugly record but he usually goes full rounds, for example against Eubank Jr. And as you said, this Mendy guy went twelve against Patrick Nielsen who is a ranked contender at Euro level and just took his best victory by defeating useful Patrick Majewski. Yet, Smith simply smashed him. It is very early to say much about Smith but so far he looks like Tommy Hearns. Smith, as Hearns, was a skilled amateur who couldn't KO anyone, but at the pros he seems to be devastating. The guy seems to have huge physical talent with his speed, reach and power. What happens when he can't bludgeon his opponent easily remains to be seen
Yep I thought about betting the points win for 3.5 but missed the deadline. I was pretty shocked. Mendy looked like a guy who is very hard to stop nevermind in a round. The finish was a bad overpaced but he seems to have genuine power.
He's been tweeting pikey Billy Joe Saunders a fair bit. Believes he'd beat Billy Joe. Nothing really stands out about Eubank Jr, but he hasn't been properly tested yet. I want to see him in big fights with the likes of Saunders to see what he actually has to offer. Saunders isn't that good though, so I wouldn't be surprised if Junior was to beat him.
I turned Billy Joes last fight off and went to bed early. Just like Eubend will if he ever fights anyone with a pulse, like an Indian with a packet of chick peas.
