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Boxing: Eddie Hearn to lobby WBO over Paul Smith verdict against Arthur Abraham

Paul Smith is left distraught after suffering a controversial points defeat to Arthur Abraham
Image: Paul Smith is left distraught after suffering a controversial points defeat to Arthur Abraham

Eddie Hearn plans to appeal to the WBO to have Paul Smith installed as mandatory challenger to Arthur Abraham’s title following Saturday’s controversial points defeat in Germany.

Liverpool super middleweight Smith’s bid to dethrone ‘King Arthur’ ended in bitter disappointment following a unanimous verdict in Kiel which was branded “disgusting" by promoter Hearn.

Smith produced the performance of his career as he forced the champion to go the full 12 rounds in the Sparkassen Arena, but Abraham retained his title with a 117-11, 117-11 and 119-109 verdict.

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Was Smith robbed?

"The response from everybody says it all.  It was a close fight," said Hearn.  "When I got in the ring I felt and expected Arthur to get a decision, to be honest.

"But the way that the judges scored that fight is disgusting. Scoring is subjective and if Arthur had won it 115-114 then you take it on the chin. But 119-109 is just not right in the sport of boxing.

"We will be appealing to the WBO, not for an immediate rematch because we don't think that possible because we know how the system works.

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Smith disgusted by decision

"But because we feel Paul Smith should be installed as the immediate mandatory for Arthur Abraham.  He hasn't had a mandatory for a while. 

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“I'm sure we'll have some competition but we'd love to do the fight again. It was a very, very close fight whichever way you look at it.  And there are now 30-40,000 Scousers who would come out and watch that fight."

Hearn now hopes the weight of public opion and clamour for a rematch will help boost Smith's chances of securing a second crack at Arthur's title.

“If there’s demand for the fight from the fans and from the broadcaster, I’m sure the fight will happen. If there isn’t then it won’t happen,” he said.

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