Liam Smith: ‘I definitely did not lose that fight’

Liam Smith pissed off in Russia as Magomed Kurbanov receives a unanimous resolution win

LIVERPOOL’S Liam Smith left Russia pissed off on the unanimous resolution that went to Magomed Kurbanov after the 2 fought in Ekaterinburg on Friday (Could 7).

The judges scored 117-112 and 115-113 twice to Kurbanov, who was in his precise hometown.

“Will watch it again however really feel I undoubtedly didn’t lose that combat,” Smith said afterwards.

Smith had utilized constant strain by their 12 rounder. Although Kurbanov had successes at instances and was aggressive all through, the Liverpudlian appeared to have performed sufficient to deserve a end result. Actually the refereeing ought to have been stronger. The Russian tied up Smith in clinches time and again, from the primary to the final spherical, denying the Briton the chance to work on the within and never receiving any penalty for the infractions. Within the first spherical Kurbanov even hit the deck. Smith did land a left hook and Kurbanov misplaced his footing, however the referee dominated it a slip.

The Russian boxed just like the hometown fighter, backing off, flipping up jabs from his waist, which did land with stunning frequency, and manoeuvring away as soon as he had managed to land a proper.

Smith not often attacked the physique too, which has been one the hallmarks of his previous successes. However he rolled properly beneath Kurbanov’s pictures and opened up with mixtures, dashing his cross into the Russian’s jaw. A ultimate proper staggered Kurbanov simply earlier than the ultimate bell.

Smith, a former WBO 154lbs champion, had hoped to make use of this combat in Russia as a route again to a different world title shot. That path to a championship combat, in the interim, has been blocked.