Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena arena will be sold-out this Saturday night, as it hosts a local derby between Liam Smith and Anthony Fowler as the main attraction at super welterweight over twelve round.
Smith (29-3-1, 16 KOs) and Fowler (15-1, 12 KOs) are the headline act, live on DAZN.
Former world champion Smith is looking to bounce back from a controversial defeat last time out, where he was outscored over twelve away in Russia against home fighter, Magomed Kurbanov.
‘Beefy’ looked to have done enough to get his hand raised, but the Russian took the vacant WBO International belt, and Smith’s lofty ranking.
The 33-year-old has previously reigned as WBO super welterweight champion, making two defences before losing to Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez in 2016.
He then failed to regain his crown in 2018, when Jaime Munguia widely won on the cards.
The original plan for ‘Beefy’ was to try and secure a meeting with WBO number one contender, Tim Tszyu, after the Aussie called Smith out after his last bout, but instead he gets a local derby against former amateur star, Anthony Fowler.
‘The Machine’ faces a real acid test here, having never been in with an opponent of the calibre of Smith.
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Fowler’s sole defeat remains his split decision reverse to Scott Fitzgerald in a grudge match at the start of 2019, but the 30-year-old has won six on the spin since, his last an eighth round stoppage of Rico Mueller in July.
Prediction: Smith is three years Fowler’s senior, and he has bags more professional experience than his opponent. I think this should tell on fight night, and Smith, who is massive at the weight, can halt the brave Fowler after halfway.
Cheeseman defends British title against Williamson
Super welterweights are prominent across the card, and fireworks could be on the menu when British champion, Ted Cheeseman defends against unbeaten Troy Williamson.
Cheeseman (17-2-1, 10 KOs) won the belt for a second time in March in Gibraltar, halting JJ Metcalf in the eleventh round of a thriller, and he always provides value for money.
The only blot on Williamson’s record is a 2018 eight round draw with Jack Flatley, and has seen his efforts to move into title class thwarted by a string of opponent withdrawals.
Williamson (16-0-1, 12 KOs), the mandatory challenger, crosses the divide as a Frank Warren-promoted fighter to meet Cheeseman on this Matchroom bill off the back of a sixth round stoppage win against Kieran Smith in April, with Eddie Hearn winning the purse bids in July.
Prediction: Williamson is rangy and elusive, while Cheeseman always comes to fight, and isn’t afraid of being in the trenches. The ‘Trojan’ hasn’t overly been taken into deep waters, and it looks like he could well be taken there here, and I lean towards Cheeseman retaining in around ten rounds.
Conway meets Metcalf
The third 154 pound offering is also an intriguing one, as Kieron Conway and James Metcalf, both coming off losses, look to get their careers back on track over a scheduled ten.
Metcalf (21-1, 13 KOs) was last seen in a gruelling affair with the aforementioned Ted Cheeseman in March, while Conway (16-2-1, 3 KOs) dropped Souleymane Cissokho, but then lost a split decision over ten in Texas back in May. Metcalf loves a tear-up.
Prediction: I think Conway’s boxing skills can see him take a decision win.
Courtenay defends WBA belt
Shannon Courtenay makes a first defence of her WBA bantamweight title, with California’s Jamie Mitchell after two prior postponements due to the Brit sustaining an injury.
Courtenay (7-1, 3 KOs) won the belt in her last contest, a bruising points win over brave Aussie, Ebanie Bridges, and a rematch with her sole conqueror, Rachel Ball, is the fight the fans want to see.
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Mitchell (6-0-2, 4 KOs) has fought once in the last two years, and looks to be out of her depth here.
Prediction: Courtenay can retain on the scorecards.
Charlton meets Willis
A super lightweight ten rounder sees Luke Wills (10-0, 1 KO) and Rylan Charlton (6-1-1, 3 KOs) collide. Wills makes a step up, while Charlton is coming off an eighth round loss to Florian Marku.
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Prediction: Charlton’s pressure should see him win inside schedule.
Dacres faces Sokolowski
Solomon Dacres (2-0, 1 KO) goes for win number three, and the Birmingham heavyweight is matched tough against the always durable and tricky Pole, Kamil Sokolowski.
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Sokolowski (10-22-2, 4 KOs) has only been halted three times, and was unlucky to lose out to David Adeleye by a point in his last outing.
Prediction: Dacres can win this via the scorecard.
Jonas returns, McGrail debuts
Natasha Jonas (9-2-1, 7 KOs) also returns to action for the first time since a valiant effort against undisputed lightweight champion, Katie Taylor, who she pushed all the way before losing on points in May.
The 37-year-old’s opponent is still to be confirmed as of Wednesday.
There’s a debut for GB Olympian Peter McGrail, who faces the durable Ed Harrison (2-8) and he can start life in the professional ranks with a points win.
At lightweight, Rhiannon Dixon (3-0) can make it four wins from four with a points win over Anaelle Angerville (1-1-1) and at super flyweight, Blane Hyland (4-1) can prevail on points against Santiago San Eusebio (3-1-2, 2 KOs).
