by Andrew Paterson

Liverpool, England, Echo Arena -  Liverpool’s Liam Smith, 154lbs, faced off against Hungary’s Zoltan Sera, 151 ½ lbs, for the fringe WBA Continental Light Middleweight title.

Sera started quick using body movement and getting some shots off but Smith, as always, was methodical using the jab and attempt to land the body shots that quickly had Sera backing off.  Smith started stalking Sera and a right hand slightly staggered Sera as Smith started cutting the ring off.

Sera kept up his erratic body movement at the start of the 2nd round without getting any decent shots off as Smith simply picked him off with a stiff, strong jab as he looked to land the right uppercut and left hook.  With 90 seconds left in the round it became target practise for Smith.

Smith had been looking to find a home for his left hook to the body during the entire fight and he finally found it in the 3rd round as he dropped Sera twice with body shots which prompted referee Howard Foster to call a halt to the fight as Sera was simply being outclassed.

Smith has had injury problems in the last year; hand and back problems have held him back slightly and he still hopes to win the British title that he currently holds outright with a potential fight against Liam Williams next year provided he stays injury free.  Smith had hoped to be back out in December however that is very unlikely to happen after being cut over the right eye.

Smith stated, "I'm gutted, during training I just couldn't get motivated, I need the fear factor and not the knock over jobs.  I would fight Carlos Molina, I texted Frank after that fight [Bundrage fight] and asked him to make it.  I wasn't struggling with the weight I was just slightly stupid with it, I just hope the cut isn't too bad."