Smith discusses his knockout success
“Honestly, it’s not surprising to me because I always had faith I could do it. But aside from a touch of jet lag and some fatigue, I feel great…After the first round I demonstrated that I could outbox him. In the second round, he came at me fiercely. The issue with Subriel is that if you allow him to push you back, he gains momentum. To be truthful, he landed some of his best punches, but as the rounds progressed, I began to lose my fear of his power.
“I mean, while it was exciting for everyone else, I was diminishing my respect for him, knowing that every punch he threw, I was prepared for and that I was hurting him. As the rounds continued, I sensed him weakening and becoming fatigued, and I remembered his nickname ‘no mas-tias’ and I was determined to do to him what he claimed he would do to me. So I focused on staying close and I’d wear him down.”
On having added motivation to secure a victory in this bout
“I lost my respect for him because I believe he came in here trying to cheat. As I mentioned, especially in boxing, performance-enhancing drugs are possibly the most detrimental element to permit — well, not permit, but allow to exist.”
On becoming a world champion and describing his journey
“I really have no idea. Somehow, here we are [chuckles]. I can’t find the words for it yet.”
