Sunday 28 September 2014 11:08, UK
Paul Smith’s brave bid to become a world champion ultimately came up short in Germany after he was controversially out-pointed by Arthur Abraham in Kiel, Germany.
The Liverpudlian produced the performance of his career to date in taking the reigning WBO super-middleweight belt holder the distance, proving more than a match for an opponent who has been in with the best in the division.
Smith fought perfectly to the game-plan devised in conjunction with trainer Joe Gallagher, seemingly out-working the crowd favourite while looking to target the body at any opportunity, particularly using the right hook.
However the judges didn’t quite appreciate the non-stop efforts of the challenger when it came to the final reckoning, awarding the bout comprehensively in favour of the Armenian-born German.
Abraham, a former Super Six competitor who had lost to both Carl Froch and Andre Ward - got the nod 117-111 on two of the cards, with the other giving Smith just a solitary round with a 119-109 verdict in favour of the champion.
It all meant Smith - who had been bullish throughout the build-up to his big night, insisting he was fully prepared to take the opportunity that had come his way - was left with a rather bitter taste in his mouth.
“What can you do? I only won one round, according to one judge. It’s just disgusting," he told Sky Sports.
I get to a world title shot and then that happens. I just wanted a fair crack of the whip and I didn’t get it.
“The judges outside of the ring have never fought in their lives and they are robbing kids of life-changing opportunities. That’s just shattered my world there.
“I knew what I could do and I knew I had the beating of him. I did some things wrong in there, (trainer) Joe (Gallagher) will tell me off for that. But I did a lot of things right, the game plan was working – I was upsetting him, I was out-working him every round.
“I feel robbed. I’ve been waiting for a chance, working for an opportunity for a long, long time.
“I get to a world title shot and then that happens. I just wanted a fair crack of the whip and I didn’t get it."
For the fifth straight fight Abraham was extended to 12 rounds, and while he carried the greater power he never came close to forcing a stoppage.
He showed his class at times when he opted to go on the offensive, though it would only be on fleeting occasions as he opted to pick and choose his spots. Indeed, in the closing stages his earlier efforts seemed to take a toll, as too did the shots he had taken to the mid-section.
Abraham did understandably come on strong in the last round, perhaps concerned by the situation, only Smith weathered the storm in the closing three minutes.
When the final bell sounded 'Smigga' was chaired around the ring by members of his corner, including gym-mates Scott Quigg and Anthony Crolla. Yet the celebrations were cut short when the scores were read out, leaving the 31-year-old to reflect on what could - perhaps really should - have been.
