Brutal Callum Smith stops Rocky Fielding to claim British title

ESPN Staff

Callum Smith produced three first-round knockdowns to claim the vacant British super-middleweight title against local rival Rocky Fielding in their long awaited all-Liverpool clash and make history at the Echo Arena.

British champion Callum Smith with his brothers

The victory means that the Smiths are the first boxing family to have four British champions with brothers Liam, Stephen, and Paul claiming the Lonsdale belt in their respective divisions.

"I don't know what it looked like from the outside but it felt exciting when I was in there as while it lasted. Credit to Rocky Fielding, he came out and we had a shootout and I think that's what the public wanted. It was a good fight while it lasted and I'm pleased to get the win, it looks on paper like a one-round blowout but it's a good win regardless of what round I put him away. I said in the build-up and it came across as a bit arrogant but I knew I was the better fighter and I just need the chance to prove it and I think I showed that tonight.

"I didn't think it would finish in the first. I remember by brothers asked me a few weeks ago how I thought it would go and I said that with the crowd as soon as one shot landed it would catch fire and it will be over in the first four, but I would be a liar if I said I thought I would take him out in the first round. I thought it would be quick for four and then settle and at is where I would take over. I am British champion and for the four of us to get that and make history is something I'm very proud of.

"I haven't been professional for three years yet, it's ten days short of three years since I made my debut, so I'm still learning. I am doing everything right at the minute and I do think 2016 is the year I can become a World champion.

"It is Rocky's first loss and too many people write you off after a loss, it happened my brother Stephen, and look at him now. Without being big headed, Rocky has lost to a good fighter, not somebody he was expected to beat. I am sure he can go away, work hard and come back."

Both men met at the centre of the ring as the pre-fight talk of a toe-to-toe battle looked evident. But pre-fight favourite Smith's punching power was on show inside the first 30 seconds as Fielding was badly wobbled after a wicked right-hand counter from Smith caught Fielding flush on the temple.

Although Fielding, now 21-1 with 12 KOs, valiantly fought off the Smith charge, he was caught again, this time with a brilliantly-timed left hook as Fielding tried to bravely fight off the ropes.

With Fielding in desperate trouble, Smith, now 18-0 with 13 KOs, swarmed all over his former amateur team mate to leave referee Phil Edwards no choice but to stop the fight.

"I am gutted," Fielding said. "Hats off to Callum, he is a good fighter, and I knew I was in for a good fight. But that is boxing, one punch changed the game and fair play to him.

"I caught him with a good jab and I thought I had my rhythm but he let his shots go and he caught me. I recouped a bit but hats off, he is a big super-middleweight and he caught me. I wasn't hurt off it, I wasn't knocked out. With me and him it was who landed first. I said all along I had power to catch him and hurt him and obviously he does too but he got me first and that was it. He will push on but I will be back and I will push on.

"I believe I am up there in the mix of things. I will sit down but I want a world-ranked fighter for my next fight, I am not going to go backwards. This is a defeat to a good fighter so I can learn from it and move on."

The win could now move Smith into the mandatory position for the WBC super-middleweight title held by American Badou Jack -- who recently claimed a unanimous decision against Smith's fellow Brit George Groves.

With IBF champion James DeGale defending his title against Lucian Bute and Martin Murray going up against WBO champion Arthur Abraham later this month, domestic world-title unification bouts could be on the horizon in a packed super-middleweight division.

Source:  espn.go.com/boxing/story/_/id/14076051/brutal-callum-smith-stops-rocky-fielding-claim-british-title

Callum Smith stops Rocky Fielding inside first round to win British super-middleweight title

Callum Smith stopped local rival Rocky Fielding inside the first round in Liverpool to win the British super-middleweight title.

The youngest of four brothers blasted his way to victory by flooring Fielding three times in an awesome opening salvo.

A big right hand put Fielding down inside 30 seconds and although the fighter dubbed 'Rocky From Stocky' got back up, the second knockdown followed soon after.

Smith shut him down on the ropes before a lethal left-hook put him onto the canvas again and as brave as he was to get up again, the third and final felling came with another vicious right.

Callum Smith (left) had Rocky Fielding in trouble from the first bell

It means Smith and his brothers Liam, Stephen and Paul are the first four siblings to win British boxing titles.

History was overshadowed by bragging rights in front of a sold-out Echo Arena with both fighters having plenty of support but with Smith taking his time to get to the ring, few were expecting the fast start and stunning finish in less than three minutes.

Smith went straight into range as soon as the bell went and that first knockdown from a perfect right was followed up by a few precise lefts to finally floor Fielding.

Rocky Fielding (left) made it up three times but it was too much, too soon

Fielding made it up with apparent ease and even when Smith came back in for the finish, he stood his ground and in brief moments, gave almost as good as he was getting.

Fielding's success proved a cruel irony though as pushing forward, he was caught by a short, sharp left that put him down again and then, with just 19 seconds before he could enjoy the safety of his corner, it was all over.

Again, he was trying to fight back but Smith just stepped back, launched a wide left-hook that landed flush and ended a spectacular and explosive encounter that left half of Liverpool's fight fans stunned, the other half celebrating and the new British super-middleweight champion smiling.

Source:  www.skysports.com/boxing/news/12183/10060737/callum-smith-stopped-rocky-fielding-inside-the-first-round

Smith finishes Fielding in first

Callum Smith produced three first-round knockdowns to claim the vacant British super-middleweight title against local rival Rocky Fielding in their long awaited all-Liverpool clash and make history at the Echo Arena.

sportinglife.com

Callum Smith produced three first-round knockdowns to claim the vacant British super-middleweight title against local rival Rocky Fielding in their long awaited all-Liverpool clash and make history at the Echo Arena.

The victory means that the Smiths are the first boxing family to have four British champions with brothers Liam, Stephen, and Paul claiming the Lonsdale belt in their respective divisions.

Both men met at the centre of the ring as the pre-fight talk of a toe-to-toe battle looked evident. But pre-fight favourite Smith's punching power was on show inside the first 30 seconds as Fielding was badly wobbled after a wicked right-hand counter from Smith caught Fielding flush on the temple.

Although Fielding, now 21-1 with 12 KOs, valiantly fought off the Smith charge, he was caught again, this time with a brilliantly-timed left hook as Fielding tried to bravely fight off the ropes.

With Fielding in desperate trouble, Smith, now 18-0 with 13 KOs, swarmed all over his former amateur team mate to leave referee Phil Edwards no choice but to stop the fight.

The win could now move Smith into the mandatory position for the WBC super-middleweight title held by American Badou Jack - who recently claimed a unanimous decision against Smith's fellow Brit George Groves.

With IBF champion James DeGale defending his title against Lucian Bute and Martin Murray going up against WBO champion Arthur Abraham later this month, domestic world-title unification bouts could be on the horizon in a packed super-middleweight division.

Earlier on Saturday, Scott Cardle kept hold of his British lightweight title, stopping challenger Sean Dodd in the last round, while Tom Doran needed just three rounds to beat Rod Smith, finishing the fight with a strong shot to the body.

In the closest of the four big fights on the card, Ricky Burns stopped Josh King in the 11th round.

Source: www.sportinglife.com/boxing/news/article/543/10060757/callum-smith-stopped-rocky-fielding-inside-the-first-round

Callum Smith crushes Rocky Fielding in a single round

Smith wins the vacant British super-middleweight title in Liverpool

writes John Dennen - boxingnewsonline.net

CALLUM SMITH destroyed Liverpool rival Rocky Fielding in one round to win the British super-middleweight title in their home city.

Smith snagged him with a cross and a vicious left uppercut put Fielding down. Badly shaken, Rocky fought on. He tried to fight off the ropes. Callum dropped him a second time with an excellent left hook as Fielding charged forward. Smith hammered him down a third time. Rocky wobbled up but his legs were lost beneath him and he had to be stopped.

Callum won the Lonsdale belt previously held by his eldest brother Paul. In an incredible achievement for the Smith family, all four brothers have won British titles. His brother Liam is a world champion. Callum is now expected to follow in those footsteps.

“It was a good fight while it lasted and I’m pleased to get the win,” Callum said. “For the four together to make history, it’s something I’m very proud of.

“I’m still young and I’m still learning, but I’m doing everything right.”

Promoter Eddie Hearn said, “We’ll be pushing at the WBC convention for him to become mandatory challenger to Badou Jack their champion. It’s a fight I believe he wins. We’ve got Martin Murray challenging for a world title in a couple of weeks November 21, we’ve got James DeGale the IBF champion and then you’ve got George Groves coming back, which is a fight we’ve always wanted as well.”

Scott Cardle, making the first defence of his British title got drawn into a tear-up with local man Sean “Masher” Dodd. Cardle suffered damage around his eyes and Dodds sent punches crashing through. But in the 12th and last round Cardle hurt him with hooks and poured everything into his attack. Dodd crashed into the ropes and referee Terry O’Connor ended it at once.

Former WBO lightweight champion Ricky Burns knocked out Josh King in 11 rounds with a final left hook to the body.

For the full ringside report don’t miss next week’s issue of Boxing News magazine

Source:  www.boxingnewsonline.net/callum-smith-crushes-rocky-fielding-in-a-single-round/

Callum Smith beats Rocky Fielding to British super-middleweight title

Callum Smith stopped Rocky Fielding in the first round to claim the vacant British super-middleweight title in the all-Liverpool contest in the city.

In an eagerly-awaited showdown between two unbeaten fighters, Smith floored Fielding within the first 30 seconds.

When Fielding was felled for a third time, referee Phil Edwards stopped the bout at the Echo Arena.

Smith is the fourth brother from his family to hold a British title, an unprecedented feat.

The 25-year-old, who had won 12 of his previous 17 bouts by knockout, stunned his opponent with a flurry of punishing body shots.

Fielding, 28, had 21 victories under his belt going into the fight and briefly rallied before being caught again and sent to the canvas.

Smith swarmed all over his former amateur team-mate who was unable to hold out for the bell.

The win could now move Smith into the mandatory challenger position for the WBC super-middleweight title held by Sweden's Badou Jack - who recently claimed a unanimous decision against Briton George Groves.

Source:  www.bbc.com/sport/0/boxing/34758799