Super Welterweight Anthony Fowler says he is open to a showdown with city rival Liam Smith and believes it could be staged as a world title eliminator.
Fowler (14-1, 11 KOs) returns to action against late replacement Rico Mueller on the undercard of Conor Benn’s clash with Adrian Granados at Matchroom’s Fight Camp on Saturday, live on DAZN.
‘The Machine’ is ranked at #10 with the WBO, whilst former world champion, Smith is the fifth rated contender.
Fowler insists he would be willing to face ‘Beefy’, who also hails from Liverpool in a bout which could move the winner closer to a shot at Brian Castano’s belt.
“I just want to keep moving forward,” the 30-year-old said on a media Zoom conference call on Tuesday.
“Liam is ranked number five in the WBO, I’m number 10, so it could be potentially a world title eliminator.
“I don’t think Liam’s got a belt now. I’ve got a WBO International, but a weight above so it might not even be for a belt, it might be for a world title eliminator.
“But these are fights I need now. I’m a 30-year-old fella, I need to be pushing forward.”
The Rio 2016 Olympian was set to face Roberto Garcia in the gardens of Matchroom HQ, however the Mexican pulled out with a back injury earlier this week with German contender, Mueller (28-3-1, 19 KOs) now stepping in.
Fowler, who knocked out Jorge Fortea in three rounds in March, has had a whirlwind few days after becoming a father for the first time and whilst he admits his attention has understandably been focused on father duties, come fight night he has vowed to come through successfully.
“People are saying good luck for your fight, but I keep forgetting I’m fighting,” Fowler added.
“It’s been a bit of a mad few days. But, I think once I’m around Shane [McGuigan], CBS [Chris Billam-Smith] and we’re in that fight environment, obviously Eddie Hearn and all that, my brain will switch back on then.
“I went training yesterday, I did a little shake out session, I felt good, full of energy. So I feel good in my physical self, but mentally I’ve got to get myself focused on the fight because my brain is everywhere at the moment.
“Physically I’m in unbelievable shape, I’m on fight weight. I need to switch on, I’m sure I will I’m a professional fighter.
“This German fella, if he beats me Saturday it ruins my whole career, it’s a massive step back for where I want to go, so I can’t afford no slip ups, I’m sure I won’t.”
Fowler was chasing a fight with British Super Welterweight champion, Ted Cheeseman although a fight did not materialise, with promoter Eddie Hearn winning purse bids to stage a meeting between ‘The Big Cheese’ and Troy Williamson.
‘The Machine’ was ordered by the British Boxing Board of Control earlier this month to face Hamzah Sheeraz in a final eliminator for the Lonsdale belt and whilst he says have no issue fighting him, he admits his focus is now beyond British level.
“I’m 30-years-old now I shouldn’t be boxing at eliminators, I need to be pushing on in my career.
“I would fight him. I’m not going to turn a fight down with no-one, but I think the plan is to move past British level and push on.
“I am ranked tenth in the world now, so it’s time to move forward now and stop stalling my career I think.”
Watch the full interview with Anthony Fowler below:
