World super-middleweight champion Arthur Abraham has promised English challenger Paul Smith will suffer a knock-out defeat before the 12th round of their rematch in a little over 10 days.
Smith, 32, will challenge Abraham for his WBO belt at Berlin's O2 World Arena on February 21 having already lost to the 34-year-old Armenian-born champion on a unanimous points decision in September.
"I promise: Smith will not experience the 12th round," vowed Berlin-based Abraham.
"He'd better train well, because I will show no mercy.
"Paul Smith put in a good performance in the first fight, but I was just better.
"Why whinge afterwards and talk about a miscarriage of justice in some English media? I don't understand that.
"Neither the organisers nor I determine who the judges are."
Smith insists he lost the first fight in Kiel because "the judges were blind" and says he has no interest in Abraham's promises.
"You can do whatever you want, but on February 21, you will lie on the canvas," said the Liverpool-born fighter.
It seems Abraham, who boxes out of the Germany-based Sauerland stall, is already thinking ahead to his next fight after beating Smith and wants to fight ex-IBF middleweight world champion Felix Sturm.
"It's no secret that future highlights such as a fight against Felix Sturm are possible because of Sauerland's collaboration with (German broadcaster) Sat.1," said Abraham.
"It's been a dream of mine for years, which will soon be fulfilled."
Source: AFP