3 days Ago By [email protected] (Tom Beattie)
Saturday night's Anthony Joshua vs. Daniel Dubois event has been dealt a significant setback as former WBO light-middleweight champion Liam Smith has withdrawn from his undercard fight due to illness. The 36 year old was set to go head-to-head with Josh Kelly at Wembley, but has contracted a virus.
The evening is one of the most eagerly awaited of the year, with around 96,000 fans expected to fill the national stadium. In his 13th world title fight, Watford-born Joshua will attempt to snatch the IBF belt from his forthcoming opponent in what is set to be a thrilling heavyweight clash. However, with just days to go until the big night at Wembley, organisers were left scrambling to find a solution following the unexpected cancellation of Smith's bout with Kelly.
The Liverpudlian had hoped to makeup for last year's defeat against Chris Eubank Jr but it has now been confirmed that illness will prevent him from competing, reports the Express . Smith, known to his fans as 'Beefy', disclosed the severity of his condition as his scheduled fight was called off, revealing that he was suffering 'pain' due to the virus. He said: "I have a virus right now and my ribs are in good pain from all the coughing.
" "I'd be cooked if anyone landed a light body shot on me right now," he admitted, confessing that he felt too unwell to risk stepping into the ring. "So maybe it's my personal empathy for being sick now but I think it's a valid reason a week away." Smith has now been replaced by Ismael Davis, it has been announced.
The Liverpudlian boxer previously oozed confidence about proving his critics wrong, suggesting he was overlooked by many. He spoke of the perception that Josh Taylor's team had underestimated him, saying: "Josh is never going to say it because he's not that type of person and he's a fighter so he can't say it." "But it's plain to see.
..Josh's team are trying to get me at the right time," he added, reflecting candidly on what he sensed from the opposition, and went on to say: "They are looking for the name, on the stage, that gets Josh a big name.
" "I'm going to show it's a massive mistake on their behalf. Whether it's Josh's team or Josh himself. That's the only thing that's a bit frustrating on my behalf.
You're only known for your last fight." Reflecting on his previous loss to Eubank Jr, he remarked: "I couldn't get off. The weight cut just took its toll on me.
From the minute of the back injury to the minute of the rescheduled date. It was like a race against time, from our point of view, the deadline where Chris might have walked away from the rematch." "So it was always a race against time, anyway, and I just feel it obviously played its part.
You didn't have to be a genius to see how flat [I was] 40 seconds into the fight, you know what I mean? I just couldn't get going, I feel. I feel the weight killed me." He went on to say: "I think everyone knows and Chris knows how I was with the weight, to say at the weigh-in.
After the injury, I came down three stone (42 pounds) and so [that is] a lot of weight to shift in a short space of time.".
