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1 year ago
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Former Sky Sports boxing presenter Adam Smith said 'it's great to be alive' as he made a welcome return to ringside following his cancer battle.
Smith headed up Sky's boxing coverage for many years and was known as the voice of boxing to many before stepping away to fight the disease.
He recently announced he was cancer-free while confirming he'd left Sky after 30 years to pursue new challenges.
Smith was interviewed ringside ahead of Katie Taylor's rematch with Chantelle Cameron in Dublin on Saturday night, which the Irish fighter won via majority decision.
He said: 'It's great to be here, it's great to be alive. I've been through a real ordeal this year.
Former Sky Sports presenter and commentator Adam Smith was back at ringside after winning his cancer battle as he watched Katie Taylor's fight with Chantelle Cameron
Taylor (right) got her revenge as she beat Cameron (left) via majority decision in Dublin
Smith embraces Taylor after her majority decision victory over Cameron on Saturday night
'But it's fantastic, I'm cancer-free. I'm here for Katie Taylor, she's an old friend of ours. My wife's just over there, my kids will be watching at home.
'We've gone through the whole Katie Taylor story since the Olympics [in 2012, when she won lightweight gold], fought Natasha Jonas, turning pro 2016.
'She is a pioneer for boxing, she's been the queen of Ireland, the gem here.
'I couldn't make it to the first fight with Chantelle Cameron, I was still in hospital, but I wanted to be here for the rematch. I respect Chantelle enormously, I think she's a fabulous fighter.
'I think it's going to be a great, great match-up again and I can't wait. But it's just lovely to be here. Nice to see everyone again.'
Taylor, 37, avenged the only defeat of her career to become a two-weight undisputed champion in Saturday night's light-welterweight showdown at the 3Arena.
Smith announced he was leaving Sky after 30 years recently after overcoming cancer
Taylor's reaction after her name was called showed just how much this one meant to to her
Cameron, who beat Taylor by majority decision at the same venue in May, suffered the first defeat of her 19-fight professional career, relinquishing her IBF, WBA, WBO and WBC light-welterweight titles.
One judge scored the contest a draw, while the other two were 98-92 and 96-94 in favour of Taylor.
She called for a deciding fight at the 80,000-capacity Croke Park to complete the trilogy.
English (US)