Liam Smith targets ‘Battle of Britain’ clash with Kell Brook
WBO junior middleweight titleholder Liam Smith wants an all-British showdown with welterweight star Kell Brook.
Smith, who is rated No. 9 by THE RING at 154 pounds, returns to his home city of Liverpool on June 4 against the unheralded Predrag Radosevic but has crosshairs locked on “The Special One” should he come through what will be his second title defense.
“Kell Brook is the fight I want,” said Smith in a press release issued by Queensberry Promotions. “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.
“Frank (Warren) made an offer and started the ball rolling. If they (Brook’s team) were keen on that fight they could have easily had it. Don’t talk about dominating 147 and 154 pounds then fight an opponent (from) 140.”
Smith would appear to be referencing WBO welterweight titleholder Jessie Vargas, with whom Brook, the IBF champion at 147 pounds, has been in extended talks with for a proposed unification clash.
Whether that bout transpires or not, Smith will remain on the hunt for big name opposition once he’s taken care of business on June 4.
“I’m looking for a massive fight later this year,” reiterated Smith. “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 realize he’s a strong European champion and it’s a good defense.”
Radosevic has been installed as a 10-1 underdog and is therefore unlikely to disrupt Smith’s plans.
On the same June 4 card, Paul Butler takes on Petchbarngborn Kokietgym, South African super-puncher Zolani Tete makes his eagerly anticipated return, Ryan Farrag makes the first defense of his European bantamweight title against Frenchman Karim Guerfi and Jazza Dickens takes on Spain’s Abigail Medina for the vacant European junior featherweight championship. Tom Stalker, Liam Williams, Steven Lewis, Josh Leather and Declan Geraghty will all see action.
Tickets priced £40 and £60 are available from TicketMaster Tel: 0844 844 0444 www.ticketmaster.co.uk, Eventim Tel: 0844 249 1000 www.eventim.co.uk or the Liverpool Echo Arena Tel: 0844 8000 400 www.echoarena.com
Tom Gray is a member of the British Boxing Writers’ Association and has contributed to various publications. Follow him on Twitter: @Tom_Gray_Boxing