Liam Smith

Early Life and Amateur Career

 

Liam Smith, born on July 27, 1988, in Liverpool, England, grew up in a city with a rich boxing heritage and as part of a family deeply entrenched in the sport. The youngest of the Smith brothers—Paul, Stephen, and Callum, all of whom are professional boxers—Liam was naturally drawn into the world of boxing from a very young age. This familial environment, filled with gloves and gym talks, provided him with an early and intimate exposure to the sport.

 

Smith’s introduction to boxing occurred under the watchful eyes of his brothers and the local boxing community. He started training at the Rotunda ABC, a well-known amateur boxing club in Liverpool that has produced numerous notable fighters. The club provided the perfect platform for Smith to hone his skills and build a foundation in the disciplined demands of boxing.

 

During his amateur career, Smith demonstrated significant potential and quickly accumulated accolades. He won the prestigious English ABA Championships in 2008, an achievement that underscored his capability and marked him as one of the country’s promising talents. This victory was not only a testament to his skill and dedication but also set the stage for his transition into the professional ranks.

 

Smith’s amateur record was impressive, featuring numerous wins that highlighted his growing prowess in the ring. His style, characterized by a sharp tactical mind and robust defensive techniques, allowed him to outmaneuver many opponents. Although specific fights and opponents from his amateur days are less documented, his overall performance and the leadership shown in national competitions clearly paved his path towards a successful professional career.

 

Professional Career

 

Liam Smith kicked off his professional boxing career with a points win over Duncan Cottier on October 10, 2008, at Everton Park Sports Centre in Liverpool. This marked the beginning of a series of victories that bolstered his early record. He maintained momentum with notable wins, including securing the Commonwealth light-middleweight title in December 2015 against Steve O’Meara and claiming the vacant British light-middleweight title in 2015 against Erick Ochieng.

 

Smith’s career reached a significant milestone when he won the WBO light-middleweight title by defeating John Thompson in October 2015. He continued to defend his title successfully against challengers like Jimmy Kilrain Kelly and Predrag Radosevic. However, his undefeated streak ended when he faced Canelo Álvarez in September 2016, where he lost by knockout in a high-profile bout that broke attendance records and drew significant viewership.

 

Following the loss to Álvarez, Smith bounced back, winning a controversial bout against Liam Williams in April 2017, despite failing to make weight. The rematch in November 2017 saw Smith win by majority decision, affirming his status in the division. His resilience was further tested in fights against international opponents such as Magomed Kurbanov in Russia, where he faced a tough decision loss, and a redemption victory against Anthony Fowler in 2021.

 

More recently, in January 2023, Smith secured a significant victory over Chris Eubank Jr., winning by TKO in the fourth round. Eubanks took the rematch in September of 2023 via TKO in round 10.