Last Friday, heavyweight Terry Smith (30-2-1 with 18 KOs) thrilled the crowd, and the ESPN2 television audience by defeating former cruiserweight titleholder Kelvin Davis. Smith almost knocked out Davis in the first round, but showing true champion heart, Davis held on, and made a fight out of it, lasting until the final bell but losing a decision to Smith. This is the biggest victory of Smith's career, and he hopes it will elevate his career to the next level.
BT – You just defeated former IBF cruiserweight champ Kelvin Davis. What are your thoughts on your performance?
TS – I want to thank Kelvin Davis for giving me the opportunity to fight him. Yes, this is the biggest accomplishment of my career. This is exciting, and it was a thrill for me. The fight was exciting from round 1 through round 10. I tried to jump on him early, and I almost got lucky and got him out of there in the first round. I trained to go all 10 rounds, so that helped a lot.
BT – You came up short against Calvin Brock, and Jameel McCline. Do you feel that this victory puts you over the hump for the division to see you as not just an opponent but as a real threat?
TS – Yes, I think this fight opens up the eyes to the other fighters out there that I am not to be taken lightly. When given the proper notice to take a fight, I will be ready. I made a mistake taking the Calvin Brock fight on short notice. I had plenty of time to prepare for Jameel McCline, but I fought the wrong game-plan. For this fight, I just gave it my all, and I came out the victor.
BC – Talk about how important this win was for your confidence.
TS – This win lets me know that if I dig down, and work hard that there is nobody out there that I can't beat. If I am given the proper time to get ready for a fight, I can beat anybody out there. If you give me 8 to 10 weeks to train, and you want to do something, hey we can do this.
BT – Do you think this victory has removed the idea from some of the bigger names in the division that you're not just an opponent, you are to be taken serious?
TS – Yes I think it lets everybody know that they better not look past me. If you think that you are the best, fight the best. For all of my fights on ESPN, I have always been exciting, and I have gave it my all. Win or lose, I bring 110 percent to the table.
BT – You almost got him out of there in the first round. How important do you think it was to get the win and to do it on national television?
TS – It was real important to let everybody know that I am not a boring fighter. I can adjust in a fight too, the first round, I tried to get him out of there. When I was not successful, I changed up my plan, and mixed it up. I am the type of fighter that likes to work the head and the body. I had to get to Kelvin Davis' body, I wanted to wear him down.
BT – He gave you a few tough rounds, could you tell that you were in there with a former title holder?
TS – Yes definitely, because as I was hitting him during the first round, I made a mistake and looked at the ref to see if he was going to step in and stop the fight. I looked at the ref, and right after that I looked back at him and hit him flush in the face, and he smiled at me. After that I said to myself, hey he's taken my best so I better just box this guy and regroup. He's a true champion, and I give him all of the respect.
BT – How do you capitalize on this win and take your career to the next level?
TS – I would love to get right back in there as soon as possible, back on ESPN against a worthy opponent. I want to keep sharp and wait for someone to give me the opportunity. I am ready right now, and like I said before I made the mistake by taking the fight with Brock on short notice, well never again. I will be ready to fight anybody who wants to fight Terry “The Troublemaker” Smith.
BT – Is there anything that you would like to say to the fans in closing?
TS – I want to thank Boxingtalk, and to all the fans out there, if you enjoyed this fight, log on to Boxingtalk and voice your opinion about how much you enjoyed my fight against Kelvin Davis. Log on to ESPN and tell them too! I appreciate all the fans who came out to see me fight, I love you all. Little Rock, we are on the map!
CC
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