Liam Smith

Here is an in-depth profile of Liam Smith as a British athlete (boxer):

Liam Smith – Life, Career & Highlights

Full name: Liam Mark Smith
Nickname: “Beefy”
Born: July 27, 1988
Birthplace / Hometown: Liverpool, Merseyside, England
Stance: Orthodox
Height / Reach: ~ 5 ft 9½ in (≈176 cm)

Early Life & Amateur Roots

• Liam Smith grew up in Liverpool in a family heavily involved in boxing: he is one of the Smith brothers (his siblings Paul Smith, Stephen Smith, and Callum Smith are also professional boxers).

• In his teenage years, he began training at Rotunda ABC in Liverpool. He has stated that boxing gave him structure and kept him off a more dangerous path.

• As an amateur, Smith won the ABA (Amateur Boxing Association) national championships in 2007 and 2008 (fighting at light-welterweight)

• He boxed for the Rotunda ABC club in Liverpool during his amateur career.

Professional Career & Achievements

Early Pro Years

• Smith made his professional debut on 10 October 2008 at Everton Park Sports Centre, Liverpool, defeating Duncan Cottier via points in a 4-round match.

• Over the next years he built up his record, gradually moving through domestic and regional titles at light-middleweight (super-welterweight) divisions.

World Title & Peak

• In October 2015, Smith won the WBO (World Boxing Organization) light-middleweight (super-welterweight) title, by defeating John Thompson via 7th-round TKO.

• He held that WBO title from 2015 until 2016.

• At the regional level, he has held British and Commonwealth titles between 2012 and 2015.

Later Career & Recent Fights

• Smith has moved up to middleweight for certain bouts. For example, he fought Chris Eubank Jr. in Manchester on January 21, 2023, winning via TKO in the 4th round.

• They had a rematch in September 2023, where Eubank Jr. defeated Smith (the referee stopped the fight in the 10th round).

• After a break from the ring, Smith returned to face Aaron McKenna on April 26, 2025, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but lost by unanimous decision.

• He has also recently rejoined Matchroom Boxing in 2025.

Record & Statistics

• Total fights: 39 (as of latest)

• Wins: 33

• Knockouts (KOs): 20

• Losses: 5

• Draws: 1

His KO rate is roughly ~60% (20/33) by some boxing record sources.

Style, Persona & Motivation

• Smith is known for being tough, durable, and persistent in the ring. He often applies pressure, mixes body shots, and works a solid jab.

• In interviews, he cites his family responsibilities, especially his two young daughters, as a key motivation to continue fighting.

• His nickname “Beefy” suggests a persona of strength and grit in British boxing circles.

• He is part of a high-profile boxing family in the UK, which adds both public interest and internal expectations.

Notable & Memorable Quotes

While Liam Smith isn’t known for many widely-circulated philosophical quotes, a few statements reflect his mindset and priorities:

“I have two young daughters who I want to give the world to.”
— on what motivates him to continue in boxing.

He has also voiced confidence before big fights, e.g. vowing to expose vulnerabilities in opponents like Chris Eubank Jr.

Lessons & Reflections

1. Family as anchor
   Even amid the brutality of boxing, Smith emphasizes that his driving force is his children, which grounds his ambition in something more than titles.

2. Late bloom & perseverance
   He was not an early teenage prodigy everywhere; his ascent was gradual—winning amateur titles and then steadily building a pro record until capturing a world title. That trajectory reflects discipline over flash.

3. Adaptability matters
   Moving up weight classes, adjusting to new opponents, coping with losses and comebacks—Smith’s journey shows that resilience and adjustment are as important as raw talent.

4. Legacy beyond record
   Being part of a boxing family, competing in big national fights, and maintaining relevance over many years contribute to a sporting legacy not captured only in win/loss tables.