I've commentated on boxing's biggest fights, including Anthony Joshua, but the best was jaw-dropping Vegas comeback

14/12/2023 19:37

Adam Smith has commentated on some of the best fights of the past few decades, but one clash tops the lot.

In 2005, Jose Luis Castillo and Diego Corrales battled it out for the first time in a thrilling affair, with the WBC and WBO lightweight world titles on the line, and Smith was there to witness it live.

From the opening bell, both men met in the middle of the ring and traded heavy punches, but somehow managed to stay on their feet.

This was until round ten, when Corrales found himself on the canvas twice, with the fight seemingly slipping away from him.

But, somehow Corrales pulled a miraculously powerful right hand out of nowhere and shortly after stopped Castillo.

Both men ended up in hospital afterwards, but fortunately they were okay, and the fight was subsequently named the Ring Magazine ‘Fight of the Year’.

“The best fight I’ve ever commentated on, no question, was the first fight between Diego Corrales and Jose Luis Castillo,” Smith told talkSPORT.

“When Corrales hauled himself up off the floor in the tenth round twice and somehow turned it round and beat Castillo.

“The first of what would’ve been three fights, but in the end, they had two, that was the best fight I think.”

As for fights involving Brits, Smith named Ricky Hatton vs Kosta Tszyu, ‘Prince’ Naseem Hamed vs Kevin Kelley and Anthony Joshua vs Wladimir Klitschko as particular standouts.

Smith also named the fight when Danny Williams managed to KO Mark Potter, despite having a dislocated shoulder and essentially fighting with one arm.

With that being said, Smith’s time commentating on boxing for Sky Sports has now come to and end after a battle with cancer, which he has fortunately overcome.

“It’s been a long road,” Smith said. “It’s been a brutal year, it’s been tough, it’s been life-changing.

“I’m just happy to be here, I’m happy to be alive, back with my family and every day is precious for me now.

“I’m cancer free which is great news, but it was a tough journey. I had three and half to four months in four different hospitals and then I went into chemo.

“It was rough and I guess I’ve never had to fight in the ring, but I had to dig pretty deep.”