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Liam Smith stops Radosevic in two, retains WBO 154-pound title

Fighters Network
04
Jun
Photo: Queensberry Promotions

Photo: Queensberry Promotions

As expected, Liam Smith made short work of the overmatched Predrag Radosevic, stopping the Montenegro-based challenger in Round 2 to retain his WBO junior middleweight title in Liverpool, England, on Saturday. The official time was 1:32.

Smith, who is rated No. 8 by THE RING at 154 pounds, got the visitor’s attention with a well-placed left hook to the body in Round 1 and the writing was already on the wall. The Englishman pursued the target aggressively in the second and repeated the shot at the first opportunity, ending matters without absorbing a meaningful blow.

“I want the names everyone keeps mentioning,” said Smith when interviewed by BoxNation in the U.K. “I’d fight any one of them tomorrow. I pray to God one of those fights can be made because I believe that’ll be the making of me.”

Who is Smith referring to? Take your pick.



Despite being on the hunt for a career-defining win, Smith has more options than most of the 13 reigning world titleholders from the U.K. Miguel Cotto is the No. 1 challenger for his title. Team Canelo has apparently made him an offer. He has been watching the Charlo twins for years. And, if that’s not enough, promoter Frank Warren continues to bang the drum for a domestic showdown with THE RING’s No. 1-rated welterweight, Kell Brook.

Brook looks set to face WBO 147-pound titleholder Jessie Vargas in a unification fight later in the year but the talented Smith should be mixing with the top names in his own weight division very soon.

Prior to the main event, the traditional 10-count was tolled for the legendary three-time heavyweight champion of the world, Muhammad Ali, who passed away on Friday. Amidst emotional scenes, the crowd stood as one and applauded the great man for over a minute.

Smith weighed in at 154 pounds, with Radosevic one pound less.

Tom Gray is a member of the British Boxing Writers’ Association and has contributed to various publications. Follow him on Twitter: @Tom_Gray_Boxing

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