Monday 19 October 2015 20:00, UK
Liam Smith has revealed he has turned down the opportunity to spar with modern great Miguel Cotto, due to a clash in dates with brother Callum's fight.
The super-welterweight world champion is back in the gym after what he described as 'one of the best weeks of his life', following his knockout victory over John Thompson to claim the vacant WBO crown.
Speaking to Sky Sports News HQ he said: "It hasn't sunk in yet. I've had one of the best weeks of my life really. I knew he would always be awkward early on, but I made it with the finish - the ref didn't just jump in.
"It was a good finish. I was buzzing with it."
When asked about rumours he would be sparring with Cotto in the build-up to his mega-fight with Saul Alvarez, Smith added: "Unfortunately he was going to be doing the sparring when Callum [Liam's younger brother] was fighting.
"I'm not going to miss Callum's fight for nothing, so I'll have to give it a miss this time. Maybe it's something that can probably be sorted again in the future, and being a world champion helps now. "
"From a fan's point of view and a city's point of view it's [Callum Smith v Rocky Fielding] a massive fight."
The new WBO king will be back in the ring in December, though an opponent is yet to be picked for his first defence.
"I've had my week off. I'm going to sit with Joe and my manager Daniel and we're going to pick an opponent. I'm going to fight on December 19."
You can watch Liam's younger brother Callum take on Rocky Fielding live on Sky Sports 1 HD on November 7 from 8pm.
