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While junior middleweight titlist Liam Smith admits hes the decided underdog in his pay-per-view showdown against Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez on Saturday, hes not about to take on an underdog mindset entering the fight.As Smith, 28, a native of Liverpool, England, is quick to bring up on more than one occasion, he is the only fighter who will enter the ring inside AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, wearing a world title.Smith (23-0-1, 13 KOs), who is one of four brothers who box professionally, recently spoke with ESPN.com about whats at stake for him in this fight against Alvarez (47-1-1, 33 KOs).Alvarez, as the face of the sport, seemingly has the power to fight whomever he wants. Why do you believe he chose you?I think if you look closely at the fights now, he was always going to come back to 154. So if he doesnt fight for the title, its a blatant excuse to get away from [Gennady Golovkin], in my opinion. So if he fights for the title, he has got a valid excuse. I have one of the belts at 154 at the moment. If you look then at the 154-pound champions, he looked to me. I obviously dont quite know in the States what his situation is exactly but I know I proved a fight with me is very easy to make. Also style wise, I think he can make a great fight with me and it will be a joy to watch for however long it lasts. There is no way this fight can be a bad one to watch.Getting a chance to be around Alvarez on your recent press tour, what did you learn about him that may have surprised you?There were a couple of things. There was not that much size difference between us at all. Being around him, I think hes a nice and okay guy. I dont want to pick on him too much. But you know, it seems like since he is at the top of the sport, everything has got to be on his say. People have to ask him to do things and if he says no then its no -- simple as that -- as far as interviews and things. Like, we went outside for a picture on top of the AT&T Stadium. There was not one picture that was taken because he was hot and he wanted to get back in. Its just little things. When you are on the top of the sport, this comes with it. It is expected, if you get my drift. I just think he was a little bit of a primadonna, so to speak.Alvarez has long battled criticism that hes overrated as a fighter because of his star power. Do you think he is worthy of the hype that has followed him?Look, I think hes a very good fighter. At this weight class, hes a world-class fighter. I dont think hes overrated but I think Golden Boy and the people around him have done a very, very good job. I think he has been promoted very well. This little dinky kid with red hair who turned pro at 15 or 16, he has developed very well. You do have to admit in the fights that he has beaten some very, very good names but the timing of the names can affect things. He fought guys like Alfredo Angulo, Alfonso Gomez and Shane Mosley -- they were all never going to win the fight. Its hard to watch those fights. Hes going against fighters who were retired or past their prime. He did not struggle with them but then he also did have very, very close fights with Austin Trout and Erislandy Lara. Both of them gave him nightmares. I know they are southpaw fighters but they also had a plan and were hungry fighters who came to win.You enter this fight as the decided underdog despite holding the title. What are you looking to dispel about what people think of you with your performance?I think I am the underdog, definitely from the American side, because not many of them have seen a few of my fights. I think if you have clips of stoppages and clips of fights here and there, people would be more confident. From my point of view, I am the underdog going into this fight. Im not saying Im not. But Im the underdog because I havent fought at that level yet against anyone of Canelos level. I also havent had the chance to. So when I beat Canelo, from my point of view, I will be able to say, I told you so. I told you I was at that level. And the people around me will be able to probably say the same. From the American point of view, it would be a massive upset from their side because they dont see where I came from and where Im at.When you think back to when you first turned pro, did the opportunity for a fight this large come at a time in your career when you expected it to?I think its right on time. Its what I have been asking for, for a long while now since I won the title. Im the champion and I look at it as the minute I became champion I was ready to face all comers. Im not going to say Im not ready for a fighter like Canelo Alvarez. Im world champion so if Im not ready for another fighter at 154, I dont deserve to be world champion. Thats the way I look at it and what I firmly believe.There is such a strong boxing tradition within your own family with your brothers Paul, Stephen and Callum. What do you believe is the reason for the success of four boxers from the same family?I dont know what it is. We are good people who come from a good family and have a good coach. We are a down to earth people who happen to be fighters also.When you stepped inside AT&T Stadium for the first time during the recent press tour, what were your emotions like?When I stepped foot in the arena, I just thought we are finally here. This is what you work so hard for. This is where you want to be. I saw my face in the middle of the playing field on a giant screen. From my point of view, it doesnt get much bigger than that. I think from my familys point of view also we are finally here. I have a chance to get a massive win for myself.It has been difficult for fighters to get a close decision against Alvarez in recent years, especially in the state of Texas. How much does that play a factor in your strategy?No, I dont think so. He has had a couple of close decisions that maybe could have gone against him but at the time I felt he had won the fights against Lara and [Trout] because I liked him better. He has more of a style like myself so obviously when I was done watching that fight I would like him the way he was doing it. I look at it as if I win the fight than the judges will have believed in me. Even though Im the B-side in the fight, I am also the champion in the fight. I just hope to get some respect [from the judges] that way. I am confident we will.Considering all you have been through in your career to get to this point, what do you imagine your emotions will be like walking to the ring Saturday inside a massive stadium against the sports most popular fighter?It will feel unbelievable walking in there and taking it all in. Obviously, Im going to be the away fighter. People think that might get to me. Once I will arrive in the ring, Im going to make the most of this fight because this fight I will remember for the rest of my life. From my point of view, this night is going to be remembered by the British people. Not from the American people as much, but from the British fans here who will watch me beat Canelo Alvarez. Its a massive night and opportunity and Im going to cherish every moment of it because this is where every boxer dreams to be.Zach Randolph Grizzlies Jersey . According to a report from the Vancouver Province, the Lions are expected to replace former DC Rich Stubler with defensive backs coach Mark Washington. Bryant Reeves Grizzlies Jersey . PETERSBURG, Fla. http://www.grizzliesbasketballpro.info/Mike-Bibby-Grizzlies-Jersey/ .com) - Christian Ponder will get another chance to prove himself for the Minnesota Vikings, with head coach Leslie Frazier announcing Wednesday that the struggling quarterback will start this weekends game against the Green Bay Packers. Zach Randolph Jersey . Mickelson barely made the cut but had the best round of the day with nine birdies and an eagle coupled with two bogeys to sit two shots behind leader Craig Lee of Scotland. Lee shot a 69 for a 12-under 204 total. "I just love the fact I am in contention and have an opportunity in my first tournament of the year here in Abu Dhabi," Mickelson said. Lorenzen Wright Jersey . To the surprise of many, it isnt the Wolverines but their in-state rivals the Michigan State Spartans.It appears next years roster of the Toronto Maple Leafs will not include Mike Komisarek. According to TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger, the Maple Leafs are expected to buy out the veteran defenceman. Komisarek was signed as an unrestricted free aagent in 2009, but only appeared in four games with the Maple Leafs this season.dddddddddddd According to capgeek.com, Komisarek has one year remaining on his five-year, $22.5 million contract, with a cap hit of $4.5 million. ' ' '