The Panel: Abraham v Smith

The Sky Sports experts make their predictions ahead of Paul Smith's rematch with WBO champion Arthur Abraham on Saturday night...

Live Saturday Fight Night

JAMIE MOORE

Abraham on points

I think Paul Smith put up a great effort the first time and although there was controversy over the scorecards, I don’t think you could have argued either way about the decision. It was a close one. This time, Abraham knows what he is up against now and maybe underestimated him a little bit the first time. I think Paul’s got to find an extra gear and take any doubt out of the decision if it’s going to go the distance, and I think it will.

I don’t see Paul getting Abraham out of there, but I think that Abraham can be a little better than the last time. He isn’t the fighter he was three or four years ago, but it seemed to me he could have been a bit fitter and that could be the difference this time. Even though Paul gave a good account of himself and pushed him real close, I think Abraham won’t make the same mistakes this time – he knows what he’s up against – and will win it on points. Again, I hope to be proved wrong, because I’m also good friends with Paul.  

JOHNNY NELSON

Abraham on points

I think this is going to be the best performance we've ever seen from Paul Smith. His confidence has grown and being out here, you can feel that, not just see that. He now realises he can fight at this level, but let's hope he doesn't over-cook things. I don't think he will and if he boxes cleverly and remains composed – I honestly think this is a done deal.

There is no doubt he can win. His pace and boxing ability are the keys and he must use them. I do think there is always a chance that Abraham will knock him out, but I also think Smith – regardless of the judges – can take him the distance and do it. But, as that wall has come down here in Berlin, I am not going to sit on the fence. I am going for Abraham... on points. Just.

GLENN MCCRORY

Abraham by late stoppage

I like the way Paul thinks there was an injustice and he's got his number, but the problem is, I think Abraham has an even bigger point to prove. He wants to do a much better job this time. I do think we might well see a better Arthur Abraham and that is not good news for Paul. I desperately want to see him become a world champion and he is one of the good guys in this sport, but I can only see one outcome – him missing out again.

It is his last chance – Abraham sees him as someone he must get out of the way – and they are both fired up, so I just don't think it will go the distance. There is so much on the line, so much to prove, one of them has to go. And I am afraid we're looking at a late stoppage in Abraham's favour, in those championship rounds.

JIM WATT

Abraham on points

I want to see Smith start faster. Abraham was good in the first half and we were worried Paul was in too deep, but how wrong we were. Paul knows this time what he's got to do to win. He was brilliant last time, just stood his ground and kept landing long, straight hard shots. Add the body shot that did well last time and there is a chance of a surprise, but I just fear that Abraham has stepped up mentally for this one.

I am not sure this is going to finish early, despite everything that both fighters have been telling us. It's bad when you are going into a world title fight knowing you've got to knock the guy out – and while Smith and his camp are spot-on saying that, I wonder if we will see it. I am leaning towards Abraham on points.

PAUL SMITH

New WBO champion

Arthur Abraham is Arthur Abraham. There's nothing more to say. I believe I’m at my best. I’ve improved since the first fight. It will be a tough, hard fight as well as technically. All the stuff that I’ve worked on in the gym will help at this stage for boxing, fighting for a world title, and it’s one I believe I handled well last time and I’ll handle it even better this time.

But one thing I do know is that there is going to be a new British world champion – tune in to watch that, tune in to support, tune in to see it happen. I know I can beat him and I’ve got everything I need in the tank to beat him. Everything has been done right in camp, I’m bang on form, I’m in shape and I’m more than ready.

You can watch Paul Smith's world title challenge against Arthur Abraham this Saturday night, starting at 7.20pm on Sky Sports 3.