Champion Paul Smith and challenger James DeGale- Photo Credit: Action Images / Andrew Couldridge

Two fighters who fight in totally different styles and are completely different characters collide on Frank Warren’s big bill in Liverpool on Saturday when Paul “Smigga” Smith 29-1 (15) makes the second  defence of his British super middleweight title against Beijing Olympic gold medallist James “Chunky” DeGale 8-0 (6).

Smith’s career has been a triumph of hard work and determination. Normally a come forward fighter but with underrated boxing skills, his career looked stagnant until a superb last 18 months. Smith entered the Contender series in 2007 but after beating the useful David Banks he had to withdraw.

Smith’s trainer in the Contender series, James “Buddy” McGirt followed him and was in the Scousers corner for his next few fights. However Smith just looked one dimensional under McGirt and lost a points decision to the awkward Steve Bendell back in 2008.

Since then Smith has won 6 on the bounce and annexed the British title with a very close (and some say controversial) split decision win over Tony Quigley in October 2009 followed by a wide points decision win over Tony Dodson back in March.

Smith has been out since then primarily because of the bad cuts he suffered in the Dodson fight. It is  no secret that Smith wants to fight at European level and beyond now but has taken this fight because he wants to prove a point and wants to put DeGale in his place who Smith feels has not “paid his dues”.

DeGale was an excellent amateur but it is fair to say that it was a big surprise when he won Olympic gold because he was not viewed as the best amateur in the GB squad. DeGale though boxed very well and was a deserving winner.

Most boxing fans know that DeGale was booed on his professional debut against Vepkhia Tchilaia when being overly cautious but has steadily improved since. DeGale looked good but not great when beating Sam Horton two fights ago but looked sensational when stopping former Commonwealth challenger Carl Dilks inside a round back in September.

DeGale is undoubtedly talented but it is so difficult to gauge how he will do in a twelve rounder against a very tough fighter who is equally determined to win. Lennox Lewis defeated Gary Mason early in his career when untested but David Haye fell apart spectacularly against Carl Thompson after only a few pro fights.

Smith has been hurt that most of the build up has been about DeGale and you can understand this because Smith was also a good amateur who has been on the scene a very long time. He is also angry  that he has been made an outsider by the bookmakers who he feels are totally wrong.

So who will win the fight? Well for all his experience I feel that Smith is seething about being the underdog despite being British champion. I wonder if he will go all out on the attack early which will play into the quicker DeGale’s hands.

DeGale does seem to hold most of the edges in key areas. Quicker hands, faster footwork, possibly a slight edge in power but it is impossible to underestimate the fact that Smith has been 12 rounds several times.

Smith can get cut quite easily and that could be a factor because DeGale throws the sort of slashing punches that can cut his opponent. If the fight goes beyond the halfway stage then we have no idea at all of how DeGale will cope but as much as I like Smith, I have to go for the Olympic champion in this one.

1. DeGale dismantles Smith in a superb display to win British title
2. James DeGale in tough with British title bout against Paul Smith
3. James DeGale destroys Dilks inside a round
4. James DeGale- “I am on target”