If Tiger Smalls needed any more motivation to do well in a fight, he can thank the promoters of his upcoming fight.

In the latter stages of his career, Smalls has felt slighted of not receiving the opportunity of fighting for a world title or a big money fight.

Smalls is a talented boxer who will showcase his skills on national television when he defends his NABO Featherweight title against Marcos Ramirez on Tuesday night at Union Station in Kansas City, MO.

The bout, which is being promoted by Titan Entertainment, will be the main event and will be televised on ESPN2 Tuesday Night Fights.

Smalls, (20-7, 9 KO's) from San Diego, CA by way of Freeport, NY, won the NABO title in his last fight when he dominated Alvin Brown in September. Ironically, the bout also took place in Kansas City, at the Ameristar Casino.

Smalls is content on fighting on national television. However, Smalls feels he is not getting the respect that he feels he deserves.

"I'm happy to be fighting on national television," said Smalls, who is promoted by Manny Cota and Cota's Boxing Promotions of Southern California. "The promoters in Kansas City I feel have disrespected me because they are promoting this fight all around Ramirez. We are fighting for my world title, but they are promoting the fight as a vacant title. It's kind of like his name is in bigger print and mine is underneath in smaller print."

Smalls has won his last three bouts in a row and eight out of his last nine. The lone defeat was a split decision loss to Ismael Gonzales in April of 2004, a bout he now accepts his defeat in such a close fight.

The number of talented fighters that he has fought and defeated alone makes Smalls feel that he will win this fight. Smalls has questioned the level of opposition Ramirez has faced, which can be described as very limited.

"I do respect his power," continued Smalls, who is the father of three children and is very active in their school. "If you can knock out 15 out of 20 fighters, then you do have some power. However, you look at who he has fought and he has not fought anyone close to my league."

Smalls has faced some top fighters in the Featherweight division. He defeated former world champion Eddie Croft, Fernando Trejo, and Cristian Favela. Smalls won the WBO Intercontinental Featherweight title against Favela in July of 2003.

His most noted losses were twice to contender Marcos Licona and to once-beaten James Armah.

Smalls knows he needs to make a statement in this fight. He will be fighting where Ramirez has fought numerous times and has a following. It is nothing that Smalls has not experienced before. One thing is for sure: Smalls will take Ramirez to school in this bout.

"I'm going to take this cat to school. He is my way of fighting the bigger fights. All I will say is by that by the end of the 12th round, something bad is going to happen."

Getting to know and talking to Smalls is like reading an open book. Smalls does not hide how he feels, whether it is about boxing or life.

Last year, Smalls was seen in a feature story in "High Times," a magazine devoted to cannabis. Smalls does not deny being in the magazine, but feels that people took it out of context.

"I feel that I being in the magazine was blown out of proportion. I do admit smoking weed a long time ago when I was young. Now, I'm a serious athlete and I have not touched the stuff in years. I'm devoted to doing well in my career and not poison my body."

Still, Smalls has the opportunity to make noise this year and in the immediate the future. At 35 years old, Smalls does not need a lot of time and knows that a setback could seriously hinder his career.

That is why he is more motivated for this fight than for any of his previous fights in recent times. He will show the promoters that they made a mistake in not promoting him the way he feels they should have.

And he could finally reap the rewards of a career he hopes has many goals and rewards in the future.