Liam Smith believes Saturday’s fight against Hassan Mwakinyo is but a stepping stone towards another world title shot, and has not forgotten about a prospective showdown with Chris Eubank Jr.
The 34-year-old makes his BOXXER debut in front a home crowd at Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena as he returns to action on UK soil having beaten Jessie Vargas via a 10th-round TKO at Madison Square Garden in April.
Where others have let their focus stray in view of a title opportunity, Smith has promised no such slip-up on a crucial night in his career.
“I’ve had that with many opponents, Anthony Fowler, I’ve had that in my career and I’ve always said I’m from too good a family and too good a gym to overlook anybody,” he told Sky Sports. “You’ll see that by the shape I’m in Saturday night.
“I know this will give Hassan an extra 10 per cent fighting me, I’ve sparred with him in the past and I know he’s going to come. This is his world title fight, he takes all my rankings.
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