WBO World Super-Welterweight king Liam Smith wants a huge domestic showdown with Kell Brook after he’s dealt with Predrag Radosevic. Undefeated Smith makes a hero’s return to Liverpool to make the third defence of his world title on an action-packed night of boxing at the Echo Arena on June 4th, live and exclusive on BoxNation.
Scouse warrior Smith spectacularly announced himself on the world stage last October when he stopped American John Thompson in the seventh round to become Liverpool’s first world champion in 22 years.
Following his sensational win over Thompson, Smith emphatically defended his world title against Jimmy Kelly in the first Liverpool versus Manchester world title showdown in over 80 years.
Now the Merseyside maverick is looking to take on Sheffield’s IBF Super-Welterweight Champion Brook in a mouth-watering domestic blockbuster.
“I’m going to be brutally honest; Kell Brook is the fight I want. I would bite your hand off for that fight. Kell is a nice lad and I get on with him but it’s a fight that people would love to see,” said Smith.
He added: “Frank made an offer and started the ball rolling. If they were keen on that fight they could have easily had it. Don’t talk about dominating 147lbs and 154lbs and then fight an opponent at 140lbs. If you’re going do it do it and fight one of the champions at 147lbs or 154lbs.”
Smith faces an experienced opponent in WBO European Champion Radosevic, whose sole loss came at the hands of WBA Super-Middlweight Champion Felix Sturm back in 2013. The man from Montenegro holds a top record of 30 wins from 31 fights and Smith is expecting a war.
He said: “I’m definitely looking for a massive fight later this year as I’m confident I’ve got the tools to beat Radosevic. Saying that, I’m taking nothing for granted and I know what I’m up against. If people look into his record properly they’ll realise he’s a strong European champion and it’s a good defence.”
“I’ll stay focused, I’m from too good a gym and too good a gym to overlook anyone. I’m looking to impress, I don’t want to come back to Liverpool and have a stinker and scrape through on my big return. I want to come through with a proper performance and show people how much I’ve improved,” added Smith.
A mouth-watering night of action sees Ellesmere Port star Paul Butler defend his WBO International Super-Flyweight belt against Petchbarngborn Kokietgym, should he win Butler will be guaranteed mandatory position with the WBO. South African super-puncher Zolani Tete makes his eagerly anticipated return to Liverpool to defend his IBF International Bantamweight title. Ryan Farrag makes the first defence of his EBU European Bantamweight title against Frenchman Karim Guerfi and Jazza Dickens takes on Spain’s Abigail Medina for the Vacant EBU European Super-Bantamweight Championship. A top undercard sees Tom Stalker, Liam Williams, Steven Lewis, Josh Leather and Declan Geraghty all in action.
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Merseyside maverick Liam Smith makes a hero’s return to Liverpool this summer to make the second defence of his WBO World Super-Welterweight title against Montenegro’s Pedrag Radosevic at the Echo Arena on Saturday 4th June, live and exclusive on BoxNation.
Radosevic, who is number 11 with the World Boxing Organisation and holds the body’s European title, is on a red-hot three-fight winning streak since losing his unbeaten record at the hands of WBA Super-Middleweight Champion Felix Sturm in July 2013.
The man from Podgorica in Montenegro holds a top record of 30 wins from 31 fights, 11 coming via knockout, in a career spanning 12 years. 31 year-old Radosevic will be looking to cause an upset on his debut on British soil and is a step-up in class for the undefeated Smith.
Scouse warrior Smith became Liverpool’s first World Champion in 22 years last October when he stopped American John Thompson in the seventh round to claim the vacant WBO Super-Welterweight crown.
His finishing was as emphatic as his game plan. A brutal right-hand, left hook combination finished Thompson just past the halfway point in the seventh.
Following his sensational performance against Thompson, Smith returned to the Manchester Arena two months later to make the first defence of his newly attained title against Mancunian Jimmy Kelly on the undercard of Billy Joe Saunders’ world title showdown with Andy Lee.
In the first Manchester versus Liverpool world title showdown in over 80 years, Smith blasted out his unbeaten rival with another seventh round stoppage. After emphatically announcing himself on the world stage ‘Beefy’ is now looking forward to making a hero’s return to his beloved home city.
Smith said: “I’m looking forward to fighting back at home. I haven’t boxed in Liverpool since I won the world title and I can’t wait to put on a show for my home crowd; there’s nobody better to fight in front of.”
He added: “It’s a great fight for me. I asked for this opponent for my first defence. He’s a good solid European fighter and he’s only lost to Felix Sturm at middleweight so it’s a good voluntary defence. I’m happy with the opponent.”
A mouth-watering night of action sees Ellesmere Port star Paul Butler defend his WBO International Super-Flyweight belt against Petchbarngborn Kokietgym, should he win Butler will be guaranteed mandatory position with the WBO. South African super-puncher Zolani Tete makes his eagerly anticipated return to Liverpool to defend his IBF International Bantamweight title. Ryan Farrag makes the first defence of his EBU European Bantamweight title against Frenchman Karim Guerfi and Jazza Dickens takes on Spain’s Abigail Medina for the Vacant EBU European Super-Bantamweight Championship. A top undercard sees Tom Stalker, Liam Williams, Steven Lewis, Josh Leather and Declan Geraghty all in action.
Tickets are priced at £40, £60, £80, £100 and £150 are available from:
www.frankwarren.com
TicketMaster
0844 844 0444
www.ticketmaster.co.uk
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Scouse warrior Smith became Liverpool’s first world champion in 22 years last October when he stopped American John Thompson in the seventh round with a brutal right-hand, left hook combination to take the Vacant WBO World Super-Welterweight crown.
South African super-puncher Zolani Tete makes his eagerly-awaited return to Merseyside to defend the IBF International Bantamweight title that he impressively won against Jose Santos Gonzales in March. Tete has quickly established himself as a fan favourite in Liverpool and will be looking to continue his march towards becoming a multi-weight world champion with another explosive performance.
Ellesmere Port sensation Paul Butler returns to action to defend his WBO International Super-Flyweight. The ‘Baby Faced Assasin’ edged towards another world title shot after a stoppage victory over Sebastian Sanchez last month and will be looking to continue his red-hot KO streak.
Liverpool’s favourite fighting son ‘Jazza’ Dickens bounces back from the disappointment of missing out on a clash with no-show Guillermo Rigondeaux to take on Spain’s Abigail Medina for the vacant European Super-Bantamweight title.
A talent-stacked card will also feature European Bantamweight Champion Ryan Farrag who makes the first defence of his title against Frenchman Karim Guerfi. 28 year-old Farrag upset the bookmakers to claim the vacant European title against two-weight world title challenger Stephane Jamoye in his own backyard in October 2015 and is determined to keep hold of it on home soil.
