Paul Smith: 'I hope Arthur Abraham underestimates me'

British super-middleweight Paul Smith has revealed that everything is going to plan ahead of his WBO title bout with Arthur Abraham later this month.

Smith will travel to Germany as he attempts to join Carl Froch at the top of the 168lbs standings, and the Liverpudlian is hopeful that his opponent may underestimate him in his first challenge for world honours.

The 31-year-old told Sky Sports News: "Preparations are going great. I feel tired but that's part and parcel of it because of the work that I am doing in the gym but everything is going to plan."

When quizzed on suggestions that Abraham was underestimating him, Smith said: "I hope so because that's exactly what I want. I want him to get in there and think that's it's just another defence for him, but I hope that he gets a big shock."

Smith has 35 wins from 38 fights, while Abraham has 40 victories from 44 professional contests.