Liam Smith put an end to the ongoing bitterness with Liam Williams with a majority decision ensuring “Beefy” recorded the 26th victory of his professional career. Smith and Williams went the distance this time in a classic pitched battle at The Metro Radio Arena; the judges tallies showed scores of 114-114, 116-112 and 117-111.
Liam Smith will be afforded another opportunity to fight for the world championship, after overcoming the challenge posed by bitter rival Liam Williams in their rematch. Liam Smith has now earned the position of mandatory challenger to the WBO Super Welterweight world championship; a title he previously held before surrendering the title to Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez in September 2016.
Next up, a shot at a world title?
Here's how Liam Smith won his rematch and world title eliminator against Liam Williams…#NoIfsNoButspic.twitter.com/BkmgufXoR1
— Boxing on BT Sport 🥊 (@BTSportBoxing) November 11, 2017
Puerto Rico’s renown 4-weight world champion, Miguel Cotto currenltly holds that title and does battle with Sadam Ali on December 2nd in what is widely expected to be the final professional bout of his career. Regardless, Smith is now guaranteed a shot at that title next whether it be against Cotto or for the vacant title against an undetermined opponent.
The second fight picked up right where the first fight left off, in another extremely captivating affair. Both combatants frequently took turns to take the lead in an intriguing battle but Williams made a very bright start to the fight, pressing the action and looking to force Smith into exchanges.
But again the dynamics of the bout shifted as the action went on, with Smith seemingly content to wait for Williams to expand his energy as he cautiously boxed him from a distance.
Smith began to seize control of the encounter in the 7th round where Smith began to land his sharp jab with added frequency. Controversy was present again in that round too, just like in their first meeting which ended with Williams being forced to retire on his stool, another clash of heads was again the talking point in the 7th but luckily it didn’t have the same consequences.
Smith continued to find sustained success in the eighth round, repeatedly scoring with his jab as Williams finally seemed as though he was beginning to wilt under the tempo of the bout. However, Williams responded strongly in the 10th round, again pressing the action and finding his mark with some big shots on the inside.
Both fighters upped the tempo as the fight came down the final stretch in the 12th round, but both combatants were unable to land anything substantial enough to cause a knockout blow to occur.
READ MORE:
ENTER TO WIN 2x TICKETS TO BELLEW – HAYE II
Jacobs vs Arias: Luis Arias will exploit Danny Jacobs, says trainer
Bellew: Haye doesn’t represent the sport well
Bob Arum: Crawford will be better at 147 lbs