Zeuge vs Smith: Paul Smith admits he will not receive another chance to win a world title

By Richard Damerell

Paul Smith challenges Tyron Zeuge for the WBA 'regular' title on Saturday night, live on Sky Sports

Paul Smith has vowed to seize his "last chance" to become a world champion when he challenges Tyron Zeuge for the WBA 'regular' super-middleweight title.

The 34-year-old Liverpudlian can achieve his long-term ambition at the third attempt as he prepares to face Zeuge in Germany on Saturday night, live on Sky Sports.

Live Fight Night

June 17, 2017, 10:00pm

Live on

Get Sky Sports Get a Sky Sports pass

Smith could have happily walked away from the sport if he had won one of his two WBO title fights with Arthur Abraham, which both ended in points
defeats on German soil, but insists these painful experiences have prepared him well.

Upcoming Fights,Saturday 17th, 01:00am

Claressa Shields v Mery Rancier

Claressa Shields

1/100

Draw

33/1

Mery Rancier

16/1

£10 Free Bet, No Deposit Needed

Sky Live: Ward v Kovalev II

Andre Ward faces Sergey Kovalev and Paul Smith targets a world title in packed weekend of boxing

"It's always been my dream to become world champion,'' said Smith. ''It's what I wanted since I was a kid, and I came so close in the first fight with Arthur Abraham.
"The second fight, I admit I lost fair and square, but I still believe I won that first fight, and I should have already been a world champion.

Smith felt he was harshly treated by the judges in first defeat to Arthur Abraham

"But boxing is a funny game and now I've got another chance, I see no reason why I can't win. The timing is right for me. I've got more experience now. I've been there and done it. I've fought at world level and I know what to expect."
Smith has been analysing the unbeaten Zeuge, whose only blemish is a solitary draw in 20 fights, and believes he has spotted vulnerabilities in the 25-year-old German.

I know this is my last chance and I've got to make it count.

Paul Smith

"Zeuge is a decent fighter," said Smith. "Technically he is very good. He's strong, he throws good straight shots and stylistically he's not too dissimilar to me. But I've seen some weaknesses I can expose, and with my experience, I'm confident I can win.

WBA title holder Tyron Zeuge is yet to suffer a defeat in 21 fights

"I know this is my last chance and I've got to make it count. If I had won the first fight with Abraham, I would have probably retired by now, but instead I'm going back to Germany for another shot and this time, I'll be taking the title home."

Paul Smith vs Tyron Zeuge is live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 9pm on Saturday, then Andre Ward vs Sergey Kovalev II is live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 2am on Sunday morning.