Darts star Michael Smith praying his ‘a**e doesn’t fall out again’ as he flies to New York to defend crown
MICHAEL SMITH expects to be nervous as hell as he once again follows in the footsteps of Muhammad Ali.
The St Helens thrower won the US Darts Masters in June 2022 at the Hulu Theater inside the iconic Madison Square Garden.
His 8-4 final victory over Michael van Gerwen in New York essentially kick-started his career and over the next seven months, he lifted the Grand Slam of Darts and a maiden World crown.
Bully Boy, 32, is back in the Big Apple this weekend for his title defence but he reckons nerves will play its part when he takes on Canadian Jim Long in the first round.
Legendary heavyweight boxer Ali – who died in June 2016 aged 74 – fought eight times at MSG, including the 1971 Fight of the Century clash with Joe Frazier.
Smith recalled: “The last time I played there was very nerve-wracking – my a** was falling out!
“Just walking down the corridors and you see photos of Muhammad Ali had been there.
“Then you have me, Michael Smith from St Helens, what are you doing here?
“It was also weird going to Times Square and seeing my face on the billboards.
“It was mad. It was weird being there. It was mental.
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“I hope I have that same feeling where I walk through the corridors and the a*** falls out again.
“Because something went right while I was there. I played really well.
“That is despite missing the flight in the first place. I flew to Portugal from Rotterdam and then because that was delayed, I ended up missing my New York-bound flight.
“I hate cities normally but in New York, it was something special.
“If you go as a fan to the Madison Square Garden, you have to pay to watch. It is different to being on the stage and people watching you. It was weird.”
