Tuesday 26 January 2016 15:30, UK
Callum Smith will face Hadillah Mohoumadi in April in a final eliminator for Badou Jack's WBC super-middleweight title.
Unbeaten Smith (18-0-KO13) claimed the British title by blasting aside fellow Liverpudlian Rocky Fielding in November and is now graduating to a clash with France-based Mohoumadi (20-3-1-KO15).
The 35-year-old Mohoumadi took IBF world champion James DeGale the distance at Bluewater in October 2012 and brings his European title to the table - but Smith will enter the ring full of confidence.
I remember watching the DeGale fight at the time. Mohoumadi gave him a bit of a tough time but I don't think it was the best DeGale.
The 25-year-old told Sky Sports: "I'm hearing it'll be April 2 in Liverpool. Nothing is confirmed but that's what it's looking like. I'm really happy to have a world title eliminator and to have the European title on the line is a bonus.
"I've not started my homework properly but I remember watching the DeGale fight at the time. Mohoumadi gave him a bit of a tough time but I don't think it was the best DeGale, who sat on the ropes too much and was a bit lazy.
"I know he'll come and work hard and his record suggests that he's quite heavy-handed. He's got 15 knockouts in 20 wins and that's quite good. I'll have to be on top of my game but if I can perform how I know I can then I can win comfortably.
"Everyone said that Fielding was a bigger puncher than me but I think I showed on the night that I was the bigger puncher. Mohoumadi can punch but I believe I'm the better boxer and have the power to hurt him as well. I'm sure Joe [Gallagher] will come up with a good game plan and I'll come out with the win.
"If someone can punch and is coming to take you out then they leave themselves vulnerable. That was the case in the Fielding fight - I caught him as he was trying to unload on me.
"I train in a good gym full of world level fighters. I believe I train like a world champion now. I do everything they do. I learn every day and I believe it makes me a better fighter."
Mohoumadi, who has never been stopped, has been in impressive form of late with his last five bouts ending in knockout victories.
