But looking at both fights, I would say Zepeda is tougher. Watch full interview with Liam Smith Below. I missed out on winning the British title first but hopefully I will be the first to win a world title.
Advertisement
Eldest brother Paul failed in two world-title attempts against Arthur Abraham, Stephen will fight holder Jose Pedraza for the IBF super-featherweight strap and the youngest, Callum, is being tipped by many to be the best of the four – but unbeaten Liam (20-0-1-KO10) is ready to become the first world champion.
The other world title fight on tomorrow’s bill sees Bolton-trained Liam Smith face John Thompson for the vacant WBO light-middleweight title. But if confidence is to count for anything, they won’t arrive more upbeat than Thompson having taken the ESPN title in May of this year.
But global issues forced the Frenchman to pull out, leaving Thompson (17-1-KO6) to step in six weeks ago.
But the 26-year-old is confident that he is in the right shape to put on the performance of his life on Saturday, and will draw strength from defending the title in front of his home crowd at the Manchester Arena. Thompson appeared focused after the long layoff, and he closed out the Boxcino tournament with a knockout of favorite Brandon Adams in the second round of their fight.
“Deep down I know I’m the best in the country”.
“We haven’t had a world champion yet which is insane, I don’t know with the fighters it has produced that we haven’t had a world title yet”.
“My preparation has gone brilliantly”.
Thompson’s entourage were also in confident spirits, praising the strength of their fighter’s previous opponents, as well as the names that he has been sparring in training – claims that got short shift with recently crowned British Boxing Board of Control Trainer of the Year Gallagher.
There is obvious pressure on him being part of a boxing family and with the opportunity to steal the limelight, but he has an impeccable temperament and like Flanagan, nothing seems to ruffle him.
What Terry needs to do is to go out there and prove he is a worthy world champion, and by beating this guy he will certainly announce his arrival on the world stage.
As I say, most weeks boxing is all about levels and my view is that Smith is several above the American and that will show on fight night.
Advertisement
Two of them – Hamed and Calzaghe – are in the Hall of Fame and they were all proven world champions.
