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Sunday, May 03, 2015

RFA 26: Benjamin Smith to Defend Welterweight Title

By FCF Staff

Resurrection Fighting Alliance has confirmed that the promotion’s welterweight title will be on the line June 5th, as champion Benjamin Smith will face Gilbert Smith.

The bout will headline RFA 26, which will be hosted by the 1st Bank Center in Broomfield, Colorado.

“Smith vs. Smith will be a fantastic welterweight title fight at RFA 26,” the promotion’s president Ed Soares was quoted saying in the official announcement. “Benjamin Smith was completely dominant in winning the title, while Gilbert Smith was valiant in his last title fight by going 5 rounds with a guy who missed weight by 5 pounds. Smith and Smith will give Colorado a title fight they deserve.”

Benjamin Smith (14-2) heads into the bout having won six straight fights, and is coming off a stoppage win over Indalecio Tat Romero in March.

“It feels great to be defending my title in Colorado, since I had a great experience fighting there in November,” said Smith. “I won the title back in March and this is a great opportunity. It gives me holding status. Gilbert Smith has a great last name. He’s also a really physically strong competitor. I look forward to finishing him and keeping the belt at RFA 26 on June 5th.”

Gilbert Smith (10-4), meanwhile, is looking to rebound from a decision loss to Chidi Njokuani in January. The welterweight is 3-2 in his last 5 bouts.

“First and foremost, I am really excited to be getting this opportunity,” Gilbert Smith relayed. “It will be nice to get redemption. I do wish my opponent made weight in the last fight, but I ended up learning a lot from that fight. I was back in the gym on the Wednesday after the fight and I have filled in the holes that I needed to fix. Benjamin Smith is a deserving champion. He’s a good grappler that has been working on his boxing, but he has a similar style to me. That will play to my advantage. I don’t know how, but I will finish him, and get that belt strapped around my waist in front of my friends and family in Colorado.”

RFA 26 will also feature former RFA bantamweight title challenger Jarred Mercado (12-2) taking on Bruno Frazatto (6-2).

The main card will be broadcast on AXS TV.

posted by FCF Staff @ 6:46 pm
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