19/09/2015
- In a make or break fight for Stephen Smith, Eddie Hearn (his promoter) has come up trumps. Smith is fighting an average opponent in an IBF final eliminator. The fact that Boscheiro isn't even the European champion shows how ridiculous this final eliminator is. Smith should be facing Romain Jacob (current European champion) but that would be a tricky match up stylistically.
- Stephen Smith (22-1, 12KOs) takes on the 34 year old Italian Devis Boschiero (37-3, 19KOs). Boschiero is a classic Hearn opponent, his record looks good and hes had a few decent performances but really hes average at best and he has a come forward style which will suit Smith.
- In his one professional loss, Smith was stopped by Lee Selby in the 8th round. Selby is now a World Champion in a very competitive division so this loss is nothing to be ashamed about. It was a very competitive fight and Selby landed a picture perfect shot right on Smiths temple to knock him out.
- Selby's key to success in this bout was an excellent jab to keep good distance and excellent movement to make sure Smith couldn't get his power punches off. Boschiero has neither of these traits. I watched a few of his fights and hes very one dimensional, his jab is almost non existent and he doesn't seem to have any other punch in his arsenal apart from the straight right. Boschiero is also a come forward fighter which plays into Smith's hands.
- Boschiero has a very rigid European style with his high guard, the best way through a high guard is an upper cut. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-l05cm3ydI Smith's best punch is the upper cut, he times it excellently and rotates his hips very well to generate excellent power.
- I think the bookies have the odds so high here because of Smith's last three bouts which have all been points wins but there is more to this than meets the eye. Firstly, Smith was fighting way above the 130 pound super featherweight limit, in two of the bouts he was 136 pounds and the most recent he was 143 pounds. It's clear that Smith was unable to bring his power up with him in weight and he was probably a bit more sluggish which would definitely have reduced his punch power. Secondly, two of these bouts were 6 rounders and the other was an eight rounder. Smith stops his opponents through an accumulation of punches so this definitely impacted upon the outcome of these three bouts.
- Before his last three bouts, Smith was on a good run, having stopped 6 opponents in 7 bouts. He stopped Sergio Manuel Medina (who has only been stopped by Ponce de Leon, Juan Manuel Lopez and he retired in another bout), Smith also stopped Javier Munoz (who went a full 12 with Evgeny Gradovich and his only other stoppage loss was against former World champion Nishioka).
- Boschiero has only fought outside of Italy three times and every time he has lost. His career best performance came four years ago when he lost a split decision to Takahiro Ao, who is not an elite fighter. Is he capable of repeating this performance at the age of 34? In my opinion, no.
- At the age of 34 and coming over to England, probably knowing he has very little chance of getting a decision win, I expect Boschiero to come out swinging knowing that he needs a KO. Boschiero has a 46% KO record, but against (what I would class) somewhat credible opponents he has gone the distance in all 6 bouts. With very little power and a come forward style he should be easy pickings for Smith who should be able to walk through the punches of Boschiero. Boschiero has never been KOd but considering he has only fought three semi decent opponents and lost all three times this fact is a bit misleading. He lost twice to Romain Jacob (who has no power) and once to Ao (who also has very little power).
- I don't think Smith is an elite level fighter but he has been set up for an easy win here, he is definitely a step up in class for Boschiero who has been fighting domestic level fighters for the majority of his career. Smith is also trained by a top coach in Joe Gallagher, who is as meticulous as they come. If I could spot countless numbers of flaws in Boschiero's game, off just a couple of his bouts, I can't even begin to comprehend just how many Gallagher will have identified.
- Considering that Smith has the possibility of fighting for a World Title and a big pay day if he wins this bout, I expect to see the best of Stephen Smith on Saturday. Smith is a relentless fighter who will continue to throw punches until the final bell, which is a major benefit for this bet.