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Paul Smith believes he is facing WBO champion Arthur Abraham at the perfect time

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As he goes in search of his first world title, Paul Smith feels confident he can beat Arthur Abraham to claim the WBO super-middleweight crown.

Paul Smith believes his first world title shot against Arthur Abraham has arrived at a perfect time in his career.

The Liverpudlian will challenge Abraham for his WBO super-middleweight belt in Germany this Saturday, live on Sky Sports 2.

Fight Night

Standing in Smith’s way is an experienced champion, who has held world titles at two weights, and shared the ring with the likes of Carl Froch, Andre Ward and Jermain Taylor.

But the 31-year-old challenger has revived his fortunes with four straight wins since recovering from a broken hand, while Abraham reclaimed his belt in a second brutal encounter with Robert Stieglitz.  

You look at all the great fights, all of the champions, and ask if the fight was made a few years earlier would it have been a different story?
Paul Smith

"Boxing is all about timing,” Smith told Sky Sports News HQ. “You look at all the great fights, all of the champions, and ask if the fight was made a few years earlier would it have been a different story?

“Lewis-Tyson, Holyfield-Tyson, you look at those fights and timing is key in all of them. I believe timing is the key in this fight.”

Trainer Joe Gallagher has been given the task of plotting Abraham’s downfall this weekend.

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He revealed how Smith has been spurred on by training sessions with younger brothers Stephen, Liam and Callum, who also base themselves at the gym in Bolton.         

Gallagher said: “He maybe is getting on in boxing terms, but still feels he’s a young man and his brothers are doing so well that they’re helping him as well.

“Some other fighters might be thinking this is near the tail end of their career, but for Paul he’s looking at what everyone else is doing and working as hard as them, trying to keep up with them. That’s obviously shown in his performances.”

Smith has suffered defeats against British rivals James DeGale and George Groves, but is still confident he can fulfil his long-term aim.

“All I have ever wanted in life is three things,” he said. “One to be happy, one to be the best I can be and one to be a world champion.

“As I say, it’s really cheesy, it does sound it. I’m not getting out the violin or anything, but I believe I’m doing the first two and I just need to do this last one.”

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