Friday 25 July 2014 10:44, UK
Paul Smith is relishing the chance to fulfil his world title dream by toppling WBO super-middleweight champion Arthur Abraham when the pair meet in Kiel, Germany on September 27.
The 31-year-old Liverpudlian has been handed the shot in the wake of May's impressive second-round stoppage of David Sarabia and is determined to complete a remarkable journey by upsetting the odds in front of Abraham's home fans.
Smith has three blemishes on his record - falling to Steven Bendall, James DeGale and George Groves - but insists he has never been in better shape having fully recovered from the broken hand he first suffered in 2008.
He told Sky Sports News: "I just think everything's in the right place for me at the minute. I believe things are written and I've always known deep down in the back of my mind that I'll fight for and win a world title.
"The injury I had to my hand was a bad one. I needed an operation, got an infection and was out for a long time. I gained a lot of weight and was out of shape.
It's been a long road back but the lads, my brothers, Joe Gallagher and the kids in the gym, my son, my wife, my parents, got round me and I was able to come back again.
"It's been a long road back but the lads, my brothers, Joe Gallagher and the kids in the gym, my son, my wife, my parents, got round me and I was able to come back again.
"He's got a lot of ability and a lot of experience but the gameplan that we'll have will undo him. The fitness, strength and experience I've got myself should stand me in good stead. I've got a good boxing brain and I think that'll be needed."
Abraham, 34, has lost four times to top-level opponents in Robert Stieglitz, Carl Froch, Andre Ward and Andre Dirrell.
You can see Smith's attempt to become world champion live on Sky Sports HD, 8pm, September 27.
