Liam Cameron has to win his upcoming fight against Jahmaine Smyle if he is to realistically go any further in the sport, insists promoter Dennis Hobson. Cameron challenges Smyle for his English super-middleweight belt at the Sheffield City Hall on May 29 and Hosbon believes it’s an opportunity the local man cannot afford to let slip through his grasp.
“This is a must-win fight because Liam has been at the well a few times now and he’s not taken the opportunity that’s been given to him. So if he doesn’t win this then where do we go with him? We’ve brought him back from a couple of losses, changed some things, worked on his psyche and we can’t do anymore for him now.”
After winning the ABA title and turning pro in 2009, big things were expected of ‘Cannonball’ Cameron. Still only 25, the ‘Steel City’ fighter has won 19 of his 23 bouts, but has fallen short in pivotal contests. In 2012, Liam lost a Central Area middleweight title fight to Jez Wilson, and more recently suffered a points loss to Luke Blackledge for the vacant Commonwealth super-middleweight crown.
English champion Jahmaine has lost four of 19 contests. The 30-year-old Leicester man picked up the belt after a good win over Lee Markham, who subsequently went on to draw with world title challenger Frank Buglioni. A solid domestic performer, Smyle will see Cameron as a good scalp but Hobson insists the title has to change hands if Cameron is to start to fulfil his potential.
“This is a great opportunity and Liam has to do it, otherwise I don’t know what else I can do for him. If he wants to operate at British or European level then he has to beat Jahmaine, and that’s no disrespect.
“Jahmaine is strong, game and he’s the champion but if Liam has any aspiration to compete with the best super-middleweights then he has to beat him. I need something to work with, if Liam has the English title then I have a platform to manouvere him onto the next level. But he has to help me to help him by winning this.”
Dennis Hobson Promotions presents Liam Cameron challenging Jahmaine Smyle for the English super-middleweight title at Sheffield City Hall on May 29.
Also appearing will be Sheffield fighters Nicolie Campbell, Waleed Din, Christian Kinsiona and Kyle Yousaf. As well as Lincolnshire’s Dan Cooper and Bolton’s Osman Aslam.
For ticket information call 0114 243 4443.
