Nineteen months on the sidelines had flyweight Muay Thai star Jacob Smith clamouring for an impactful return last December at ONE Fight Night 17.
The Birkenhead brawler went on to score a first-round knockout win against promotional mainstay Walter Goncalves that evening, and he’s looking to add another highlight-reel finish when he meets Bosnian-Canadian powerhouse Denis Puric at ONE Fight Night 21: Eersel vs. Nicolas on Saturday, 6th April.
It’s an ideal turnaround for Smith, who believes he showed his true colours in his victory over Goncalves.
“Once we started to move a little bit, I didn’t really feel any of his punches, so I kicked his leg really hard. And I know he didn’t like that so early on. I feel like that changed the fight because I saw his spirit leave his body after that. He looked at me as if he was saying, ‘Oh, this is going to be a long night,’” he said.
“I was expecting to finish him, but I didn’t expect to finish him in that way. I know it was a clean knee, and I felt it sink right into him, but I expected him to get up. I suppose that’s just the way that you think as a fighter.”
The 31-year-old striker will have a difficult challenge to overcome when he steps back into the ONE Championship ring on 6th April.
Puric has made a name for himself for frightening, unrelenting performances. His last bout at ONE Fight Night 17 saw him stop Vietnamese slugger Nguyen Tran Duy Nhat’s two-fight winning streak via a second-round finish.
Despite his foe’s reputation, Smith feels he knows what to expect and is ready to serve “The Bosnian Menace” some of his own medicine.
“I think he’s super dangerous. He’s just a fighter through and through. A real veteran, and fair play to him. He is very strong. He punches hard. I expect him to come out swinging and looking to knock me out,” he said.
“However, I feel like the longer the fight goes, the more that favors me. I feel like I’ve got youth from my side. I’m a little bit bigger than him. I’m definitely going to be physically stronger than him.”
Should he best Puric, Smith’s name will surely be cemented in the World Title conversation. He currently sits in the #2-ranked position in the flyweight Muay Thai rankings and has already gone to battle with divisional king Rodtang Jitmuangnon.
A victory at ONE Fight Night 21 could put him on course for a second shot at the World Title, and he’s game to take on whoever has it by the time his chance comes around.
“My goal is to be ONE Championship Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion, and fingers crossed by the end of the year that comes through,” Smith said.
“Rodtang is the champion, and Superlek is number one. After beating Walter, I’m now number two. Rodtang and Superlek are probably going to fight each other again soon. Then I should get the shot at the winner after I beat Puric.”
