Smith eager for Bendall rematch

Smith believes he won his first encounter with Bendall

Liverpool middleweight Paul Smith Jnr has not given up hope of a rematch against reigning English champion Steven Bendall.

Bendall inflicted the first defeat of Smith's professional career to take the domestic crown in June.

"I don't care about the title, it's just Bendall, I want to put that loss right," he told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"I know what I can do to him and I know what I want to do to him. I just want to put it right and move on."

Smith, 26, was beaten by Coventry's Bendall, 35, in controversial circumstances, with the referee scoring a close fight 96-94 in the challenger's favour.

Smith believes the Midlands veteran is now trying to avoid fighting him for a second time.

"I've had a rematch done three times with him and for one reason or another it hasn't happened," said Smith.

I want to ease into it with my hand and get a good win to set me in good stead for February when I do fight Steve Bendall

Paul Smith Jnr

"I'm confident in Frank Warren (Smith's promoter) and he's said he'll get me the fight so I believe he'll get me the fight."

Before any fight with Bendall can happen Smith must first get past Ireland's Ciaran Healey.

The two men square up for a six-round contest in Widnes on Friday night, Smith's first fight since breaking his left hand while beating Danny Thornton back in September. Healey has a modest record but Smith insists he is taking him seriously.

"I'm by no means taking Ciaran Healey easy, I've got to beat him to get Christmas out of the way," added Smith.

"I want to ease into it with my hand and get a good win to set me in good stead for February when I do fight Steve Bendall.

"It's definitely going to happen in February, I'll make sure of it."