Liam Smith says it feels like he is making his professional debut all over again as he prepares to take on Sam Eggington in his first fight under the Matchroom Boxing banner at The M&S Bank Arena Liverpool on Saturday, live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US.
‘Beefy’ hasn’t fought in his home city since he successfully defended the WBO Super-Welterweight World title against Predrag Radosevic in June 2016 and the rejuvenated Scouser believes he has something to prove to his new promoter in front of his home crowd as he targets another shot at World glory.
“I’ve got to prove a point to Matchroom that I was worth signing and show them that they made the right decision,” said Smith. “Everything has come for a great time for me. I’m back in Liverpool topping the bill against a decent opponent that a lot of the British public know. The buzz since the fight has been announced has been great for myself.
“I’m at a vital part of my career now. Sam is a good opponent to get started with, but I’ve got to put in a performance, so it’s bad for Sam take the fight at this moment. I am a big way back into boxing for him. And as we’ve sparred a lot, whatever confidence he can draw, he will try and draw some from that.
“I feel like I’m turning pro all over again. This is a new lease of life for me and exactly what I needed at this stage of my career. I’ve got to do a proper job on Sam and a proper job is what I truly believe I will do. It’s my tenth fight at the arena in Liverpool and I’m 9-0 in there, so I look forward to making that 10-0.”
Smith vs. Eggington tops a huge night of action in Liverpool.
Former Great Britain teammates Anthony Fowler and Scott Fitzgerald look to settle their longstanding feud in a dynamite Super-Welterweight clash.
Domestic Super-Lightweight rivals Joe Hughes and Robbie Davies Jr meet with the European and British titles on the line.
Popular Heavyweight David Price takes on the unbeaten Kash Ali in his first fight in Liverpool for nearly there years as he looks to make a fresh charge on the Heavyweight division.
Liverpool’s Tom Farrell challenges Leytonstone’s Philip Bowes for the Commonwealth Super-Lightweight crown.
There’s also action for rising Liverpool Cruiserweight talent Craig Glover, ‘Miss GB’ Natasha Jonas and undefeated Super-Lightweight Ged ‘G-Man’ Carroll.
