Trainer Gallagher: Smith Should Quit Now
Trainer Joe Gallagher is urging Paul Smith to call time on his career in the wake of his defeat to Andre Ward in America.
The 32-year-old struggled to make the 172lbs catchweight and was unable to keep up with ruthless WBA (super) super-middleweight champion Ward, prompting Gallagher to throw in the towel in the ninth round.
Smith works for Sky Sports as a pundit and seemed unsure over his future in the ring after the fight, saying he would be spending some time away from the sport and considering his options with his family.
Gallagher said: "I've just seen Paul and he's in good spirits. I think he gave a good account of himself over there in the ring with one of the best, pound-for-pound, in the world.
"Other people have been out and done worse. Paul's last three fights have been against Arthur Abraham twice for world titles and now Ward.
"I've advised Paul now that I think he should call it a day. He's got nothing left to prove, nothing else to achieve in the game. He's been in the sport a long time - 22 years.
"He's been in The Contender series, he's been British champion, he's challenged for a world title and he's just fought one of the best pound-for-pound fighters out there. There's not much left for him to do.
"He's got a good job there at Sky and he's a cracking pundit. I think he should do that.
"Paul is his own man and always has been. He'll think long and hard and he'll take time out because he's just had three huge fights. He's got a baby on the way this summer.
"I'm very proud of him. I only wish that I'd trained him as a professional from day one because I definitely would have made him a world champion."
Smith - the oldest of the four boxing brothers from Liverpool - made his professional debut in April 2003 when he outpointed Howard Clarke in Manchester.
