Callum Smith will face Patrick Mendy for the vacant English Super Middleweight title at the sold-out Liverpool Olympia on Saturday September 28.
Smith continued his stunning run of first round stoppage wins with a fifth in a row in Glasgow on Saturday night, and challenges for his first title on home soil in just his eighth pro contest.
The 23 year old boxes on Merseyside for just the second time in his burgeoning career, and says he is ready to step up to title action against the Reading man.
“It’s brilliant to be fighting for my first title in front of a Liverpool crowd,” said Smith. “The Olympia is a great venue for the fans and I’m sure they’ll get behind me and roar me on. Patrick has been around for a long time even though he’s younger than me, so he’ll fancy his chances of beating me but I’m flying at the moment and I’m ready for the longer fights.”
Standing in Smith’s way is Mendy, who became the youngest ever Prizefighter champion in June 2010 when he lifted the trophy at just 19 years of age. Still only 22, Mendy has boxed 100 more rounds than Smith, and promoter Eddie Hearn expects a classic.
“This is a really tough fight for Callum but he’s definitely ready for it,” said Hearn.
“He’s been blowing fighters away in the first round but he’s worked hard in the gym and ten hard rounds is not a problem for him. Patrick’s career has stalled slightly since winning Prizefighter but he’s only 22 and he’s got a lot of experience for someone so young and it’s a great chance for him to get back on the map – it should be a cracking fight.”
Smith’s clash with Mendy is part of a fantastic line-up on Merseyside, with two Commonwealth title fights leading the way.
Lightweight champion Derry Mathews defends his belt on home turf against Curtis Woodhouse, while Rocky Fielding faces Ghanaian Mohammed Akrong for the Super Middleweight title. Liam Smith and Erick Ochieng clash for the vacant British light middleweight title, while Robbie Davies Jr., Steve Jones and Peter Spencer are all in four-round action.
