Arthur Abraham to face Paul Smith?

Arthur Abraham to face Paul Smith?

Sources have told BehindTheGloves.com that WBO super middleweight champion Arthur Abraham will likely face Paul Smith of the UK in his first defense of his new reign. A deal is all but done according to the source.

Abraham regained the WBO belt against Robert Stieglitz in their March fight, the rubber match of their three bouts against each other.

Smith, of the fighting Smith clan, has run off three victories since a 2011 second round stoppage by George Groves. Of the three wins, only a June win against Tony Dodson was against an opponent with a winning record.

Abraham will be making a short turnaround, making it an acceptable optional defense. The fight would happen May 3 in Germany.

-Mark E. Ortega  / @MarkEOrtega

-Managing editor at www.BehindTheGloves.com