• Arthur Abraham v Paul Smith

'Smith has no chance if Abraham's on top form'

Paul Smith has been warned he has "no chance" if Arthur Abraham is on top form in Saturday's WBO world super-middleweight title fight at the Sparkassen-Arena in Kiel, Germany.

Liverpool's Smith challenges for a world title for the first time and German Abraham's promoter Kalle Sauerland believes it will be one-sided as long as his fighter has prepared properly.

WBO super middleweight champion Arthur Abraham takes on Paul Smith in Germany on Saturday © Sebastian Hagler

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Sauerland, who also promotes George Groves, admits Abraham has been guilty of complacency through his career which has seen him rule as world champion at two weight divisions on three different occasions.

Armenia-born Abraham, who was out-pointed by Nottingham's Carl Froch four years ago, reclaimed the WBO belt from German Robert Stieglitz with a split points decision in March. That was their third meeting after Stieglitz had stunned Abraham last year with a well-earned fourth round stoppage due to Abraham's left eye being grotesquely swollen.

But Sauerland is confident Abraham, 34, will be back to his best against Smith, 31, for his second defence in his second reign as WBO super-middleweight king.

"We don't know what Arthur Abraham is going to turn up but if the best Arthur Abraham turns up, Paul Smith hasn't got a chance and it will be brutal," Sauerland told ESPN.

"When he wants to be, Arthur Abraham is still the same fighter we have seen him at his best. He took Andre Dirrell lightly in 2010 and paid for it. Then he didn't turn up until the final round against Carl Froch.

"He was a broken man for a while after losing to Carl and went on to lose to Andre Ward, although I think he troubled Ward in the first couple of rounds and no one has done that.

"He took Robert Stieglitz far too lightly in their second fight, Stieglitz came out all guns blazing and Arthur got a freak eye injury and the fight was stopped.

"But he almost KO'd Stieglitz in their third fight, he won on points and has won his last four now. He's been training intensely for this and we're confident the right Arthur Abraham will turn up on the night."

Abraham will be making a voluntary defence of the WBO belt but insists he has not underestimated Smith as he has done with previous opponents like Stieglitz.

He said: "I have not underestimated Smith. If anything, I have overestimated him. I always expect to face the best when I step into the ring and prepare accordingly. I'm in top shape and ready to defend my title on Saturday."

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