Tonight in Liverpool, hometown Jr. lightweight, Stephen Smith (22-1, 12ko), enters a must-win IBF title eliminator against experienced Italian Devis Boschiero (37-3-1, 19ko) in hope of securing a shot at Puerto Rico’s newly crowned unbeaten champion, Jose Pedraza (20-0, 12ko).
Smith, the middle of the four fighting siblings who include 168 lb-ers Paul and Callum, as well as 154 lb contender Liam, enters knowing that defeat will certainly spell disaster for his world title ambitions, and it’s a fight that trainer Joe Gallagher is calling a ‘must-win.’
Speaking to Sky Sports about the fight, which tops a frankly lukewarm card from the city’s Olympia, Gallagher said.
“He has to win. I wouldn’t say his career’s on the line but he’s in a make-or-break fight so first and foremost it’s about the win. I think it’ll be hard. Boschiero is very good.”
Smith came in bang on the 130 lb limit at yesterday’s weigh in, and after proceedings first appeared to be cordial, the two fighters had to eventually be pulled apart after an initial handshake quickly turned sour, by the look of it, because of Smith, who it could be argued looked the more tense of the two.
The Scouser, whose sole blemish was a brutal highlight reel knockout at the hands of Lee Selby back in 2011, is four years younger than the 34 year old Boschiero and will enjoy almost two inches in height, however he gives away 2 inches in wingspan.
The fight is live in the UK on Sky Sports 1 at 8pm.
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