Liverpool’s Stephen Smith will start his comeback in Germany on the undercard of Dereck Chisora’s World Boxing Council (WBC) World Heavyweight title fight against Vitali Klitschko.
Smith, a former British and Commonwealth Featherweight Champion, will feature in an eight round contest against an opponent to be confirmed at the Olympiahalle in Munich on Saturday 18th February.
The show will be televised live and exclusive on the undisputed home of British Boxing BoxNation (Sky Ch. 456/Virgin Ch. 546).
It will be the first fight for the 26-year-old since he lost the titles to Welsh rival Lee Selby in a stunning upset last September, but he’s regrouped with trainer Joe Gallagher and is ready to launch a new assault in the division.
“This is the start of a new career for me, I’ve had a good rest and learnt from the mistakes I’ve made in my last fight and I’m ready to start on the road back in Germany,” said Smith.
“It’s the first fight back that I hope will lead to the rematch with Selby and the opportunity to reclaim my titles,”
“I’m delighted that I’m on such a big show and it’s a chance to make a big impact with a top performance in front of the German fans which will also be seen live in the UK on BoxNation,”
Smith also thinks that Chisora has a good shot at beating Klitschko to make it a double in Germany.
“I hope he does the job against Klitschko and wins the world title, it would be a great achievement,” added Smith.
“From what I’ve seen he’s in great shape, if he approaches the fight like he did against Robert Helenius when he was robbed of the title, then I think he could win it.”
*THE BIGGER THEY ARE…Klitschko v Chisora is live and exclusive on BoxNation (Sky Ch. 456/Virgin Ch. 546) on Saturday 18th February. Join at www.boxnation.tv*
WBO ANNOUNCES REFEREE AND JUDGES FOR DONAIRE VS. VAZQUEZ JR. ON SATURDAY
SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO- World Boxing Organization (WBO) by president Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel, announced today the referee and judges who will work on the world title bout between three time world champion Nonito Donaire and former superbantamweight king Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. this Saturday, February 4 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, in a Top Rank presentation.
Valcarcel reported that for the vacant WBO superbantamweight title fight that will face Philippine Donaire (27-1, 18 KOs) (112, 115 and 118 pounds former champion) against the Puerto Rican Vazquez Jr., the referee will be Rafael Ramos, from Texas.
Meanwhile, the judges for Donaire-Vazquez Jr. are Levi Martinez from New Mexico, Donald Trella from Connecticut, and Ruben Garcia from Texas. WBO supervisor for this fight will be Luis Perez.
Appleby vs. Ormond Set for Celtic Showdown
Scotsman Paul Appleby will meet Irishman Steven Ormond for the Vacant Celtic Super Featherweight championship as chief support to Ricky Burns’ defence of his WBO World Lightweight Championship at the Braehead Arena, Glasgow on 10th March.
Appleby last stepped through the ropes for his sensational Super Featherweight Commonwealth title showdown against Liam Walsh. The man from South Queensferry was unfortunate to lose out to Walsh in a thrilling encounter which went on to win trade magzine Boxing Monthly Fight of The Year’, but walked away with his head held high from a fight that was hailed a small-hall classic.
Appleby will be looking to put in a similarly courageous performance but to come out the victor this time, when he meets Ormond in March. The Dubliner however will have different ideas, as he brings an unblemished record of 11-0 with him to Glasgow. Ormond was due to be facing Kevin Mitchell at York Hall this month, but pulled out having felt that he would not be ready in time to take on the challenge of fighter Mitchell’s calibre. Having given himself an extra months preparation and fighting at his preferred weight of Super Featherweight, Ormond is looking to give himself the best possible chance against the former British Featherweight Champion.
Appleby, confident ahead of the clash said, “I’m looking to get a good win for the Ormond clash, he’s got an unbeaten record but I’ll be looking to change that in Glasgow. After putting so much in and still not getting the win in Walsh fight, I’ll make sure I do everything possible to make sure my hand gets lifted at the end of the fight this time.”
The fight is part of an action packed card headlined by Ricky Burns v Paulus Moses and will be shown live and exclusive on BoxNation (Sky Ch. 456/Virgin Ch. 546) Scottish Commonwealth Games Champion Calum Johnson and Commonwealth Games Bronze medallist Stephen Simmons also get the chance to build further on their outstanding amateur credentials, whilst ABA champion Damon Jones also makes his pro debut. Along with outings for prospects Kirk Goodings, John Thain, Jonathan Slowy and Sammy Hill the show also represents a great opportunity for Glasgow to see some of British boxing’s future stars in action.