Liam Smith welcomes future struggle with Janibek Alimkhanuly: ‘I am determined to be world champion once more’ | Boxing Information

Liam Smith is set to repeat a victory over Chris Eubank Jr of their July 1 rematch after which problem for a second world title.

Liverpool’s Smith, previously the WBO super-welterweight belt-holder, longs to turn into a two-time world champion.

He could be keen to problem Kazakhstan’s formidable WBO middleweight champion Janibek Alimkhanuly, who fights Steven Butler within the early hours of Sunday morning dwell on Sky Sports activities.

“He is probably not excessive danger, low reward as a result of the reward is his world title,” Smith informed Sky Sports activities.

“The Denzel Bentley struggle has introduced [Alimkhanuly] down a peg, however nonetheless an excellent struggle. I’ve identified of him for a bit, I watched him within the Olympics, noticed him beat [Anthony] Fowler within the Olympics. He is nonetheless solely had 13 fights, a superb fighter.”

His final aim is that second world title. “If I get raved about I do not sit right here pondering, ‘Wow, I am the person, everybody’s raving about me.’ It’s what it’s,” he defined.

“One of many components I am gutted over – why I need to be world champion once more – the world title was received and doubtless placed on prime of the washing basket. I simply did not cherish being world champion.

“I did not understand how large it was. That is why I am determined, I would like to be world champion once more. As a result of I would cherish each little bit of it. I do know what it means.

“That is what I would love.”

A second victory over Eubank, once they struggle on July 1 dwell on Sky Sports activities Field Workplace, would affirm Smith as a world class middleweight.

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

“I will simply hold proving the factors in what’s in my management. I am preventing Chris, I will show some extent – I am a greater fighter than Chris. I really feel now individuals will totally realise that.

“You had lots of people who might have thought I used to be a greater fighter than him, however perhaps nonetheless thought Chris would win as a result of it was at middleweight,” he continued.

“I used to be going to middleweight, he was classed as an enormous middleweight. That would have been lots of people’s picks. However now individuals know – nevermind I am large enough for it, I can totally damage him at it too.

“You set a ballot out now ‘Who wins this struggle?’ I believe it could be 80-20 me on the chances.”

He should nonetheless beat Eubank Jr to place himself within the body for one more world title shot, whether or not that is at middleweight or requires him to return to super-welter.

“I beat him, I am in a superb place. As a result of it would not hurt me in any means. I will beat Chris within the rematch now, no governing physique’s going to drop me in any rankings,” Smith mentioned.

“The WBO have now moved me to No 2 [at middleweight] and put Golovkin in as a No 1 so I am undecided what is going on to occur there. I beat Chris, I will in all probability 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 WBC necessary could be subsequent in line at 154lbs.

“I simply want to focus on Chris. I beat Chris once more, I am sitting in a superb place.”

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

If he secures one other spectacular end, he’ll be a menace to any of the elite, at 160 or 154lbs.

‘He will not even be capable to contact me’

Alimkhanuly defends his title this weekend on the Stockton Area in California in opposition to Canada’s Steven Butler, dwell on Sky Sports activities.

He’s threatening a extra dominant displaying than in his final bout in opposition to Britain’s Denzel Bentley.

“I ready very nicely for this struggle. I do not need to simply defend my title. I need to unify 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 conditioning coach, and he has helped me quite a bit. I had an excellent preparation. I actually get pleasure from working with Buddy McGirt at Brickhouse Boxing.

“I obtained a brand new conditioning coach as a result of I perceive that it’s going to assist me develop. If you happen to hold doing the identical issues, then you’ll keep in the identical place. I needed to develop.

“I needed to struggle Jermall Charlo. I needed to struggle Erislandy Lara. To be able to try this, I knew that I needed to make adjustments.”

Butler warned that taking a look at different fights was a danger. “He’ll be making an enormous mistake if he tries to assume previous me. I need to knock him out. I need the belt. That is it,” he mentioned.

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

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

“I am terrified of no one. I’ve taken dangers my entire life. Janibek is an efficient boxer. I’ve nothing unhealthy to say about him. However we labored arduous on this coaching camp. I’ve labored arduous my whole 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’ll present him that not solely will he not be capable to knock me out, he will not even be capable to contact me.”

Watch Janibek Alimkhanuly vs Steven Butler dwell on Sky Sports activities Foremost Occasion and Sky Sports activities Motion from 2am on Sunday morning.