Pt III - weigh-in, winning wars and The One Show!
Friday 20 February 2015 20:09, UK
Paul Smith is fighting for the world title again out in Germany. The rematch with WBO super-middleweight holder Arthur Abraham is live on Sky Sports 3 on Saturday night, but before that, the challenger gives us his fight diary.
Well that's that. The next time I see Arthur Abraham it will be in the ring and you know what? I am genuinely looking forward to this.
I am far more confident than I was last time. For a start, I am wearing my gloves this time which is big for me, mentally as much as physically. I believe I am a puncher and wearing these I am going to show that. I have got the Grants on again.
This time I can wear any gloves I want. I am fighting for a world title so I can but last time Abraham told me I had to wear what he was wearing. Then he had me wear Everlasts and I've broken my hand four times in them and didn't want to wear them but had to. That time I was OK but this time is different; he has chosen his favourite gloves and I said that if he wears what he wants to, then so will I. And I've got it. That is a big, big, big plus.
Everything is going in my favour. The whole family are here now and you could see more of us after a call from The One Show. They want us on, on Wednesday evening, after that article in The Telegraph, with me, my mum and my brothers in.
This time is different; he has chosen his favourite gloves and I said that if he wears what he wants to, then so will I. And I've got it. That is a big, big, big plus.
We are going to be live on Wednesday with Michael Flatley. We'll get our Callum doing some River Dance!
As for TV today, you'll have seen that support at the weigh-in; my fans, those Leeds fans, all the fans made some noise. I really, really appreciate those people that have come out the day before to get behind me at the weigh-in. It really got to me and Arthur Abraham must have felt like the away fighter.
And there are supporters from all over Britain out here; Welsh friends are here, there's loads of Scots here, there's a mate from London and even with more than 24 hours to go, they are making me even more confident.
The weigh-in and face off themselves were the usual. I know Arthur Abraham is going to be fit but he looked tired and old to me but... he looked a little bit old and tired last time! I know he can go the 12 rounds, so I didn't really try and read into anything into today.
To be honest the last thing you want to be doing at the weigh-in - if you've made weight - is stand there staring off at a guy you are fighting tomorrow. Unless your a heavyweight you probably haven't got the energy to all that properly, so the one thing you want to do is get out of there and re-fuel.
We left straight away and one thing I didn't do today was go shopping! The weigh-in was in the Berlin Mall, but I wasn't bored today. And of course, that was the best atmosphere there's been in that shopping centre all week!
The day before a fight you get out of bed, get on the scales to see where you're at, see what the damage is and if you have to go and get rid of a pound or two, that's what you do. The majority of us fighters do that.
I used to do it before bed but that is a long, long time to stay on the weight because - says a man eating ice cream - you want to be on that for the shortest time possible. Some fighters will stay at the weight but they're the lucky ones.
I've eaten all the meals, worked closely with the dietitian and Joe and this time it has gone perfectly; even that has given me confidence. In fact I was actually underweight, so maybe I'll get a double portion!
The last thing I am going to tell you is I don't do predictions....but I am going to come home with that belt.
