Junior Middleweight

Saul Alvarez returns to the super welterweight division on Saturday when he goes up against WBO champion Liam Smith in Arlington, Texas.

Smith (23-0-1, 13 KOs) may hold the belt, but the Englishman is a huge underdog for the main event at the impressive AT&T Stadium. Per Odds Shark, he is a 36-5 shot to retain his title.

Canelo (47-1-1, 33 KOs) relinquished his WBC middleweight crown to drop back down to 154 pounds after knocking out Amir Khan in May. He has not fought at the limit since losing to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in September 2013.

That remains the only blip on the Mexican's record ahead of his 50th outing as a pro.

Bookmakers seem certain Alvarez will celebrate his half-century by claiming a nice new shiny belt. Smith, however, has not travelled from Liverpool just to see the sights in the Lone Star State.

UK broadcasters BoxNation tweeted a tale of the tape:

Tale of the Tape

👑 WBO World Title
👊 @Canelo v @LiamBeefySmith
⏰ Saturday night at 1am
📺 BoxNation#CaneloSmith pic.twitter.com/bDgaZgBBqe

— Queensberry Promotions (@Queensberry) September 15, 2016

       

When: Saturday, September 17, 10 p.m. CT (4 a.m. Sunday BST)

Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas

TV: HBO (U.S.), BoxNation (UK)

Live stream: BoxNation (UK)

        

The Waiting Game

A pound may not seem like much to lose on the scales. However, Alvarez's decision to return to the super welterweight ranks has major ramifications beyond his own career.

After defeating Miguel Cotto to become the new WBC middleweight champion last November, Canelo's next move was expected to be a money-spinning showdown with Gennady Golovkin. Instead, Khan was selected out of the blue for the Mexican's first defence.

Still, once he'd dealt with Khan in a catchweight contest at 155 pounds, GGG had to be next, right?

Wrong.

Despite the huge demand to see him face Golovkin, Canelo has decided to make everyone wait. He vacated his title rather than face the unbeaten Kazakh in a mandatory defence. According to Dan Rafael of ESPN.co.uk, it seems the master plan is for the pair to meet in the fall of 2017.

Smith has stepped in to fill the void. Beefy wanted a big name, and they don't come much bigger than Alvarez, particularly as the bout takes place on Mexican Independence weekend.

.@LiamBeefySmith "I'm coming for you @Canelo & I'm going to spoil your plans Sept.17th" #CaneloSmith @HBO PPV👊🏽💥 pic.twitter.com/TKiwZRSV4u

— Golden Boy (@GoldenBoyBoxing) September 13, 2016

Well, it'll take place so long as the challenger makes weight.

Joe Gallagher insisted Smith won't be stepping into the ring if his rival isn't inside the limit. The trainer said, per Steve Brenner of MailOnline: "We have made this big fight and sold it. If they don't make weight and ask 'are you going to go ahead with the fight?.' No we won't. We have made our weight contractually, and if Canelo doesn't make the weight, then give us our pay cheque and we will go shopping."

Gallagher did add he doesn't predict any issues, but Alvarez cannot afford to make a mistake with the weigh-in.

He is under pressure to produce a big performance on a pay-per-view card he is propping up against an opponent whose reputation barely extends outside his own backyard.

Canelo said at Thursday's media workout, per Peter Gilbert of Sky Sports: "Both our styles will make a great fight for all the fans on Saturday. He is a hard puncher, connects, comes forward and has good combinations. We know he is dangerous and we are not underestimating him."

The challenger can expect plenty of support inside the home of the Dallas Cowboys—and that crowd will be expecting him to deliver something special.

        

Ready for the Challenge

Smith isn't bothered about opinions from outside his inner circle. He's well aware most will be tipping him to lose in the biggest fight of his career to date.

He also understands his record doesn't stack up in comparison to Canelo's.

The man nicknamed Beefy picked up the WBO strap by beating replacement John Thompson last October. Since then, defences against Jimmy Kelly and Predrag Radosevic have been predictably straightforward.

There is nothing routine about his next challenge, though, particularly as he'll be stepping out in front of a pro-Mexican arena.

Yet this is exactly what he wants to do. At 28, the time has come for Beefy to prove he belongs at the highest level. This isn't a money-making exercise for Smith—it's all about earning respect.

"I'm motivated now because I'm in a fight that makes me No. 1 in the division I'm in," Smith told Kevin McRae of Bleacher Report. "It changes my life. I don't feel disrespected. All I ask is that the people who are disrespecting me now come out on Sunday, September 18 and say this kid can fight."

Smith can definitely fight. As you might expect from someone who plays up front for his Sunday League football team, he is quick to seize on any opportunity to attack.

His relentless pressing has worn down his last eight opponents inside the distance. He's only been 12 rounds twice before, although there are no concerns over his fitness.

Crucially, Smith has appeared unfazed by the extra media attention that comes with taking on one of the brightest stars in the sport.

And if the boxing doesn't quite work out as planned, he's already shown himself to be a promising NFL kicker:

         

Prediction

If Sugar Ray Leonard believes Canelo is improving, who are we to argue?

Unlike against Khan last time out, the 26-year-old (yes, he's still only 26) won't find Smith a hard target to locate. The champ's aggressive intent in the ring should make for a watchable bout.

The key for Alvarez will be patience. He showed exactly that with Khan, leading to a sensational knockout win in Round 6.

As for Smith, he has to upset his rival's rhythm. He needs to trust his chin can hold up and look to push Canelo into deep waters. Maybe, just maybe, that extra pound lost could then prove crucial in the championship rounds.

However, Alvarez has fought 332 rounds in his career. He might have to go 12 more on Saturday but will wind up a comfortable winner on the scorecards.

      

Bleacher Report will be covering the main event in Texas. Keep up to date with the action via our live blog on Saturday.

For his debut on American soil, Liam Smith couldn't have picked a much tougher task.

The WBO light middleweight champion is not only up against Saul Alvarez, he's also going up against a hyped-up, pro-Canelo crowd in Arlington, Texas. The AT&T Stadium will be a home away from home for a Mexican fighter in action on Saturday during the weekend when his country celebrates its independence.

Some would have backed away from such a monumental challenge. Smith, however, has embraced it. In fact, he couldn't have asked for anything better.

Beefy—one of four fighting brothers from the city of Liverpool, England, and the only one so far to win a world title—was desperate to fight one of the superstars at 154 pounds.

He has a career record of 23-0-1 (13 KOs), but the list of victims lacks a name of real substance. Even when he got his shot at the vacant WBO belt, Smith ended up facing a late replacement in John Thompson.

There's nothing replacement-level about Canelo, though.

If Smith is a bit of an unknown outside of Britain, which is understandable considering he hasn't previously fought abroad, he sure picked the right opponent to make a name for himself in the United States.

To some, it may look like Alvarez has gone for the safest option on his return to the division. However, he has already beaten Erislandy Lara (the WBA champion), while twins Jermall (IBF) and Jermell Charlo (WBC) are part of Al Haymon's Premier Boxing Champions stable, making negotiations with fellow promoters Golden Boy a little tricky.

Smith, however, is not a soft touch. At 28, he's in his prime years. He also goes into the biggest bout of his career on a run of eight successive stoppage wins.

It admittedly seems unlikely that streak continues beyond the weekend—Canelo's only defeat in his 49 pro outings was on points to Floyd Mayweather Jr.—but Smith is willing to do whatever it takes to win.

Whatever happens, the clash between two aggressive fighters should be fun to watch. Smith expects to put on a show at the home of the Dallas Cowboys, as he told Tom Gray of The Ring:

This will be a great fight because the styles are going to gel. Canelo’s at his best when he comes forward and is letting his hands go and I’m at my best when I’m doing the same. I don’t see how we can make for a bad fight. It’s whoever gets their game plan working and if Canelo doesn’t hurt me and hurt me early, it’s going to be a long night for him.

Canelo is no stranger to facing Englishmen. He boxed Matthew Hatton and Ryan Rhodes back in 2011, while his last outing was against Amir Khan at a catchweight of 155 pounds.

Khan—who stepped up from welterweight—did well for the opening five rounds in May. Hitting and moving, he gave Alvarez plenty to contemplate before a lapse in concentration saw him laid out by a straight right.

Smith, who sparred with his compatriot before that bout, will provide completely different problems.

To start with, he's a full-blown light middleweight. Stocky and strong with square shoulders fit for heavy lifting, he gained the nickname Beefy for being a big baby, yet it still nicely sums up his body shape.

BoxRec list him at 5′9 ½″. View any footage of him, and you might think he's smaller, but his stance makes him look that way, as he tucks his chin into his chest and holds his hands up high for protection.

Khan is all about hand speed and combinations, about hitting and moving. Smith, in contrast, won't be hard to locate.

The Liverpudlian is aggressive, cutting off angles in a manner similar to Gennady Golovkin (no, he's obviously not as good as GGG, before you point that out) and then exploiting a weakness.

His focus switches to whatever area is open—and already he's seen openings to exploit against Alvarez, as he told Jeff Zimmerman of FightNews.com: "He’s not defensively the best fighter. His non-punching hand is not very good. He doesn’t throw a left and he keeps his right hand on his chin. Little things like that."

Keeping his right hand up could be a painful error, as Smith loves to throw the left hook to the body. He's also keen to let go uppercuts once he's worked his way inside his opponent.

His desire to dominate may prove his undoing, yet there's no point in trying to change what has worked to get him here in the first place.

WBO World Champ @LiamBeefySmith looking sharp at yesterday's media workout with trainer @JoeG 👌 #CaneloSmith pic.twitter.com/qz4hJLQOwM

— Queensberry Promotions (@Queensberry) September 14, 2016

The underdog—per Odds Shark, Canelo has 2-25 odds to win on Saturday—cannot hope to copy Khan's style. Nor can he replicate the way Mayweather Jr. controlled the Mexican from a distance.

Instead, Miguel Cotto laid out a potential blueprint for success...provided you forget that the Puerto Rican didn't actually succeed.

Cotto lost to Alvarez by unanimous decision last November, although the scorecards of 119-109, 118-110 and 117-111 didn't really do his performance justice.

Junito consistently used the jab (he threw 374 of them but landed just 54, according to CompuBox's stats used by Bryan Armen Graham of the Guardian) to try to set up attacks to both head and body. The plan was a good one, yet the problem was his lack of size and speed.

At 35, he's also at the tail end of a career that saw him start out as a super lightweight.

Unlike Cotto, Smith won't be trying to cope with facing a bigger man in the ring—he's used to campaigning at 154, a weight Canelo hasn't had to make since facing Mayweather Jr. in September 2013. A solitary pound doesn't sound like a lot to lose, but the last one is always the hardest to shift.

Smith is fresh and focused. This isn't about earning money—it's about earning respect. Alvarez has given him the chance to prove he belongs among the elite. Don't be shocked if Smith takes it with both hands.

It seems only right that a boxer called Nurse has had to be patient.

Tyrone Nurse, a super lightweight from Huddersfield, England, turned pro at the age of 18 with high hopes. Now, eight years later, he is finally a British champion whose stock is on the rise.

The climb toward the top has been a slow one for a man who has already had 36 fights in his career, winning all but three of them.

Opportunities have not always been easy to come by.

Without the backing of a well-known promoter, Nurse had to toil away in the hope of making a breakthrough. It made for some frustrating times, but he never lost faith in his ability.

"I was boxing as an amateur for England at representative level," Nurse said. "I was boxing for England left, right and centre. I was beating probably two out of three [opponents] but not getting the results from it. In my eyes, I wondered what was the point. I think it was down to style more than anything. But you live and learn."

"When I turned pro, I obviously hadn’t matured," he explained. "I wasn’t physically strong, just a skinny, slick boxer who thought I was just going to go into the ring and knock a few people out."

Nurse (33-2-1, 7 KOs) has struggled to knock anyone out. While he was unbeaten in his first 22 outings in the paid ranks, it wasn't until his 13th bout that he recorded a win inside the distance.

As a technically gifted boxer who stands at 5'11", Nurse was treated like out-of-date eggs by other super lightweights—best left alone, or else you might not like the consequences.

In need of boosting his profile, not to mention bolstering his career earnings, he was entered into the 23rd edition of the Prizefighter series in February 2012 by Chris Aston, his father and trainer, without any prior knowledge.

The eight-man knockout tournament offered a top prize of £32,000. Nurse lost in the final against Adil Anwar, meaning he missed out on the giant cheque and also suffered a first defeat as a pro.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKV1x_xQ-1s

It has not been his only near miss to date.

In October 2014, the Yorkshireman was dropped twice in the early rounds before eventually losing narrowly on points to Dave Ryan in a tight battle for the Commonwealth belt.

He came even closer in his first attempt at winning the British crown, drawing with Chris Jenkins in July 2015.

Yet Nurse feels those setbacks, along with the plethora of points victories he recorded in small-hall venues during the early years, have all been crucial moments in his development as a fighter.

"It has been a slow process," he admitted. "Now, though, I think those extra years have helped me. I realise now that you’ve got to make the most of it when you do get those opportunities. But I never thought it wouldn’t happen. I just knew that, having been around boxing for years, I knew there were a lot of politics involved.

"It’s not plain sailing as some like to think. The general fan doesn’t see about 99 per cent of what goes on behind the scenes," Nurse continued. "Still, I knew I’d eventually get there. Politics were always going to play a part and we knew we’d have to force our way in."

Nurse eventually opened the door by beating Jenkins in a rematch for the vacant British strap, fulfilling his "dream" of holding a Lonsdale belt.

However, that doesn't mean he's happy to just hang around at the domestic level.

"I’ve always taken each fight as it comes, yet I always saw myself winning the British title," he revealed. "That’s not me being big-headed. I knew I had the potential to achieve that. Beyond that, then you have different dreams, the ones that have previously floated at the back of your head."

Eddie Hearn—head of Matchroom Boxing—believes Nurse, who defeated Willie Limond in his first defence on May 28, is "one of the top [super lightweight] fighters in Europe, not just Britain."

The promoter was speaking at the press conference ahead of Nurse's clash with Tommy Coyle on July 30, a support act to Josh Warrington against Patrick Hyland that could end up stealing the show.

Hearn dangled a rather large carrot in front of the two men when he mentioned the potential for a world-title challenge against Scotsman Ricky Burns, the reigning WBA champion at 140 pounds.

Nurse, though, still refuses to get too carried away.

It took him long enough to work his way toward the summit. He knows looking too far ahead could see him in danger of falling back down toward the bottom again.

"Ricky and I know each other," he said of Burns. "I’ve been up there sparring so many times. If you added up all the days, it probably works out to living up there [in Scotland] for a year."

"Obviously it’s a fight you cannot say no to. If you’re a cashier at a supermarket and they suddenly offer you the manager’s job, you take it," Nurse explained. "Like anyone in any line of work, you want opportunities."

In his next outing against Coyle, Nurse gets the chance to show patience does pay off. The pair met as amateurs a decade ago, with the former coming out on top on points.

A rematch never quite materialised—until now.

Nurse actually bears no grudge over the first result. It's not in his nature, and Coyle, a down-to-earth character who does so much for his home city of Hull, is hardly a man you can dislike for too long.

But it's strictly business between the pair on July 30.

Coyle—who has stepped up from lightweight—rarely gets involved in a dull fight, so the potential is there for the crowd to witness something special at the First Direct Arena in Leeds, England.

Nurse, though, is the one experienced at the 140-pound limit. He's also significantly taller than his rival, as shown by the head-to-head photo opportunity shared by Matchroom Boxing:

.@TyroneNurse & @TommyCoyle89 head to head #NurseCoyle #LeedsRumble pic.twitter.com/kagey2Yn7h

— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) July 4, 2016

Most importantly of all, Nurse is the one with something to lose. He's worked extremely hard to become British champion and does not want to let the belt slip from his grasp now.

"I’m just keeping my head screwed on, my feet on the ground. I just want to keep winning," he admitted. "I’m not looking past Tommy. It could be a barnstorming fight. You know what you’re getting with Tommy."

"I think we will gel [in the ring]," Nurse added. "There are going to be times when I’m jabbing his head off, but they’ll also be times when I stand there with him, without a doubt. I enjoy having a war, so I’m sure the fans will love it."

If good things do come to those who wait, the future looks seriously bright for the patient Nurse.

Rob Lancaster is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. All quotes were obtained firsthand, unless otherwise stated.

Liam Smith has got his wish.

On September 17, Beefy gets the big fight he has been desperate for—and it doesn't get much bigger than Saul "Canelo" Alvarez.

While Alvarez's decision to step back down to super welterweight has disappointed many, considering it rules out a clash with Gennady Golovkin in the very near future, it has gifted Smith a career-defining night.

The bout has been criticised in the United States, a place where Smith—the reigning WBO champion at 154 pounds—is an unknown quantity to all bar the hardcore boxing fan.

Boycott on buying Canelo-Smith is starting to hit my timeline. Fans will not tolerate this again. @GoldenBoyBoxing @OscarDeLaHoya

— The Boxing Zone (@boxing) June 25, 2016

https://twitter.com/scottchristBLH/status/746476885295628289

And not only does Canelo go back down to 154, but he's gonna fight a guy who is MAYBE on the back end of the division's top 10.

— 🖤❤️💛KPM❤️🤍❤️ (@KPMWrites) June 24, 2016

However, and stay with me here, the bout does make some sense for both parties involved.

Canelo (47-1-1, 33 KOs) gets a chance to immediately fight for a title at what is seemingly his preferred weight limit, while Smith (23-0-1, 13 KOs) has the opportunity to make a name for himself.

Nevertheless, it's understandable that not everyone is impressed by the matchup.

Smith picked up the vacant belt by beating John Thompson in 2015 and has since defended it against Jimmy Kelly and Predrag Radosevic. It's more than likely the 27-year-old from Liverpool has had tougher sparring sessions than those three fights.

Alvarez has had it a bit tougher, with his last outing against another fighter from England—Amir Khan.

For Khan, it was a step into the unknown. A welterweight by trade, he took a leap of faith in his abilities and agreed to move up to a catchweight of 155 pounds.

It was a gamble the Bolton boxer felt was worth taking. The majority, however, felt it was too much to ask. Sure, he might dazzle in the early stages, but eventually Canelo would land a big shot.

As it turned out, the majority were correct.

Khan's fast hands presented problems in the opening rounds, but eventually he left himself exposed to a right hand that put him in a worse state than the current British political scene following the EU referendum vote.

So why should anyone believe things will be any different when Smith faces Alvarez?

To start with, he is a bona fide super welterweight. Beefy was British and Commonwealth champion in the division before going on to claim the WBO crown.

Size matters in the ring, and Smith physically matches up well with Canelo, as ESPN Stats & Info tweeted:

Canelo Álvarez will take on Liam "Beefy" Smith for WBO Junior Middleweight Title on Sat. September 17 in Las Vegas pic.twitter.com/gC8P9abdes

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 24, 2016

He's on a good run of form, too. Despite a career knockout ratio of 54 per cent, per BoxRec, he's won his last eight on the spin inside the distance.

His style isn't about producing one-punch knockouts like the one Canelo delivered on Khan. Smith is all about pressure. He swarms foes, cutting off the ring so he can get up close. He targets the body wisely, too.

Former fighter-turned-trainer Jamie Moore wrote in his Sky Sports blog: "Some of the nice stuff he [Smith] does is on the inside and goes unnoticed. Everyone thinks fighters who fight on the inside are not as intelligent as fighters who fight on the outside but that's not the case. You've got to be just as smart, slick and cute on the inside."

The one area of concern for the second youngest of four fighting siblings (and the only one of the brothers to have won a world title) is his lack of experience at the highest level.

While he has had 24 fights as a pro, none of his previous opponents have been anywhere close to Canelo's standard. If the Mexican superstar is the boxing equivalent of eating at a five-star restaurant, Smith has spent his time feasting on fast food. It did a job at the time but lacked any real substance.

Now he is at the top table of boxing. Alvarez isn't just a big deal in the division—he's a big deal, full stop.

For Smith, it is a wonderful occasion to prove he truly belongs to mix in such circles, to prove his doubters—some of whom may never have even seen him perform before—wrong.

Even in defeat he can come out with credit, albeit the idea of being a plucky loser isn't part of his grand plan.

His promoter, Frank Warren, believes a shock could be on the cards. He wrote in his blog on FrankWarren.com:

He is a cannier fighter than Khan and, indeed, other super welterweights. He has stealth and style, along with a mean streak—and he can bang.

Unfortunately Amir didn’t carry the punch power at the weight but, this time, against another Brit, I think Canelo will have his hands full and will discover that Smith’s style has often been likened to that of a Mexican.

It would be some shock, too.

Canelo has lost just once in 49 fights—and that was against Floyd Mayweather Jr. However, take a closer look at his recent outings and you can pick holes in them.

As already mentioned, Khan was a welterweight who stepped up two divisions in the hope of doing something that would be talked about long after he retired.

Prior to that bout, the Mexican went 12 rounds with a past-his-prime Miguel Cotto.

Alvarez did knock out James Kirkland in May 2015. However, if you check Mandingo Warrior's record, you'll see it was his first bout in 17 months.

Cagey Cuban Erislandy Lara troubled Canelo before coming out on the wrong end of a split-decision verdict in 2014. In the aftermath, the winner said, per Doug Fischer of The Ring magazine: "There’s a saying that to make love, you need a partner, and it’s the same thing with boxing, to make a fight you need a partner."

In Smith, he's definitely found someone willing to consent to a fight.

Khan didn't lose to Canelo because of a lack of ability. He lost because he bit off more than he could ever possibly chew. It also didn't help his cause that he has a propensity to leave his chin badly exposed.

Crucially for Smith, he is free from the weight of expectation. There is no pressure on his shoulders, just a desire to do himself justice. As underdogs go, he could be a pretty dangerous one on September 17.

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The Smiths wrote a song entitled "I Want The One I Can't Have" back in 1985. For boxer Liam Smith (no relation), it seems an appropriate anthem to sum up his current situation.

If you didn't already know, Beefy is one of four boxing brothers from Liverpool, England.

While older siblings Paul and Stephen fell short in their attempts to win world titles, and with baby bro Callum waiting for his opportunity, Liam stands alone as the family's only world champion.

The 27-year-old super welterweight currently holds the WBO belt, having claimed the vacant strap with victory over John Thompson in October 2015. He has since made one successful defence, against Jimmy Kelly at the end of last year.

However, Smith wants more. He now wants big names and money-spinning bouts. To be more specific: He craves Kell Brook.

His next outing, however, is already set in stone—he will face Predrag Radosevic in Liverpool on June 4.

To be kind, it is not one that sets pulses racing. To be honest, it looks a routine defence against a relatively unknown foe.

Radosevic has a 30-1 (11 KOs) record, with his solitary defeat coming at the hands of middleweight Felix Sturm back in July 2013.

Since that loss, the 31-year-old from Montenegro has fought a grand total of 17 rounds.

Smith said of Radosevic, per Behind The Gloves: "It’s a great fight for me. I asked for this opponent for my first defence. He’s a good solid European fighter and he’s only lost to Felix Sturm at middleweight so it’s a good voluntary defence. I’m happy with the opponent."

Radosevic is ranked in the top 10 by the WBO, according to FightNews.com. Solid is an acceptable term to describe him. Smith, though, wants spectacular. Solid earns you pennies, spectacular brings in pounds.

If you inspect the list of super welterweights, there are plenty of names to go after.

The Charlo brothers—Jermell and Jermall—are high-class operators. There's Erislandy Lara, too.

Miguel Cotto may come back at 154 pounds when he eventually makes a ring return following his defeat to Saul "Canelo" Alvarez.

Yet Smith, along with his promoter, Frank Warren, faces a battle to get any of those big names at super welterweight to travel to England. Hosting unification fights costs serious money. Cotto doesn't even hold a title, yet he would be the most expensive of the lot.

Instead, the fighter-promoter combo are looking closer to home for potential opponents. Smith told FrankWarren.com:

I’m going to be brutally honest; Kell Brook is the fight I want. 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 made an offer and started the ball rolling. If they were keen on that fight they could have easily had it. Don’t talk about dominating 147 pounds and 154 pounds and then fight an opponent at 140 pounds. If you’re going do it do it and fight one of the champions at 147 pounds or 154 pounds.

Per NextUKFight, Warren's offer was substantial:

https://twitter.com/NextUKFight/status/731533338016657408

As yet, it doesn't seem to have tempted the IBF welterweight champion, who is still to officially confirm who he will fight next.

Jessie Vargas—the 140-pound fighter to whom Smith made reference in his quotes—is the favourite to face Brook.

WBO champion Vargas told David Anderson of the Mirror: "The only bad thing on my part is it seems Kell Brook wants it in England. I would like it in the US, but we’re trying to come to an agreement."

George Gigney of Boxing News suggested on Twitter that an agreement is not too far away:

https://twitter.com/ggigney/status/733283353760272384

Brook is in a similar situation to Beefy.

He holds a major belt, yet needs a name to both bolster his CV and also boost his bank balance. It takes a long time to reach the top, so fighters should not be chastised for wanting to cash in on their success.

So could a domestic clash—potentially at the end of 2016 or early in 2017—be the answer for both men?

Yes...and no.

Promoter Eddie Hearn has already stated Brook will eventually move up in weight.

He certainly has the body to cope with campaigning at super welter, or even middleweight. His strength is a key asset at 147 pounds, yet Brook is much, much more than just a physical bully.

Hearn told the Daily Mail (h/t Edward Chaykovsky of BoxingScene.com): "I can see him [Brook] winning world titles at both light middleweight and middleweight and there are tempting fights to be made against Miguel Cotto and Saul Alvarez."

There was no mention of Smith's name, yet facing his fellow Englishman would give Brook an immediate opportunity to secure a title at 154 pounds.

Brook knows what it is like to be in Smith's shoes, too. The Yorkshireman has pushed hard for a domestic clash of his own against Amir Khan, albeit without any success.

That fight has never seemed further away than now.

After being knocked out by Alvarez, Khan said, per Ben Dirs of BBC Sport: "I respect him [Brook], he's got a world title, but he's not a big name. He's gone down his route, I've gone down my route and I don't like him."

Brook, like Smith, has plenty of avenues to explore in his current division.

Former opponent Shawn Porter takes on WBA champion Keith Thurman—the winner of that contest, which takes place on June 25, would certainly appeal.

There is also WBC champion Danny Garcia, although Khan remains the mandatory challenger for that title, as well as Timothy Bradley, Lamont Peterson and Errol Spence Jr.

If, however, Brook is open to the idea of moving on up, Smith should be seriously considered.

Brook's trainer, Dominic Ingle, believes it would all come down to one thing—money.

"I wouldn’t be opposed to it," he said, speaking to Bleacher Report from Russia, where he was waiting to work Bob Ajisafe's corner for the light heavyweight's clash with Umar Salamov on May 21.

"The plan for Kell is to get the next fight out of the way and get the WBO belt [from Vargas].

"But Kell is never against a domestic fight. He thinks they’re good.

"It’s an interesting fight [against Smith]. But there’s got to be enough public interest in it. It’s all about the numbers, and that's all down to Eddie Hearn.

"If the money was right, and it was a big enough event, he would fight Liam."

Considering Warren has apparently already tested the water with an initial offer, Ingle's quotes should offer further encouragement to Smith's team.

It would be hoped a deal doesn't end up being scuppered by negotiations.

The duo are managed by rival promoters, yet Warren made public his willingness to work with Hearn over a different domestic clash, between lightweight world champions Terry Flanagan—Warren's man—and the Matchroom-promoted Anthony Crolla.

There should be enough money floating around to satisfy all parties.

Hearn has the financial muscle of Sky Sports behind him, too. Whisper it quietly, but Brook vs. Smith has serious pay-per-view potential.

While Brook would see it as a chance to become a two-weight champion, opening up new possibilities in a different weight division, Smith gets the showdown he desperately wants.

Of course, it is all pie-in-the-sky stuff until both have come through their next outings.

To borrow another song from The Smiths, "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out." Smith should not turn the light out on facing Brook, but the only thing he can control now is his performance against Radosevic.

Rob Lancaster is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. All quotes used in the article were obtained firsthand unless otherwise stated.

Liam Smith will defend his WBO super welterweight title for the first time against Jimmy Kelly at the Manchester Arena in Manchester, England, on Saturday.

Beefy (21-0-1, 11 KOs) became champion in October, stopping John Thompson in Round 7 at the same Manchester venue to claim the vacant belt.

Now, he goes up against local lad Kelly, who has compiled a 16-0 (7 KOs) record.

Despite the festive season being upon us, there was no goodwill when the two went head-to-head at the final press conference, as tweeted by broadcasters BoxNation:

*MUST SEE* HEATED FACE OFF Smith & Kelly + Mitchell Smith unleashes on Jupp! #LeeSaunders https://t.co/NfpjEwUgUC pic.twitter.com/WvQKKxfekd

— Queensberry Promotions (@Queensberry) December 17, 2015

When: Saturday, Dec. 19, at 9 p.m. GMT (4 p.m. ET)

Where: Manchester Arena, Manchester, England

TV: BoxNation (UK)

Live stream: BoxNation (UK—subscription required)

Names in the Frame

The reigning WBO champion at 154 pounds created a bit of family history in October, as Liam became the first of the four fighting Smith brothers to win a world title.

Eldest sibling Paul fell short twice in his attempts to become a world champion against Arthur Abraham at super middleweight, while Stephen and Callum are still waiting for their opportunities at super feather and super middleweight, respectively.

Liam, therefore, won the family race to reach the top first by beating Thompson, a 6’1” American who was a tricky customer to come to terms with, at least for a few rounds.

At one stage, it seemed Shane Mosley would be Smith’s opponent for his first defence.

The pair were involved in a spat on social media, as detailed by Scott Christ of Bad Left Hook. (Warning: The linked article contains NSFW language.)

Per David Anderson of the Mirror, Smith didn’t end up ducking the challenge of facing a modern-day legend. Instead, it was a non-starter due to circumstances beyond his control:

I was told he [Mosley] wasn't ranked high enough, so the WBO wouldn't sanction it.

Now I'm getting the blame for the WBO not sanctioning the fight. People need to realise it's not me, I'd fight anyone.

As if I didn't want that fight! Without being disrespectful to Jimmy Kelly, I'd rather fight Shane Mosley than Jimmy Kelly. I didn't become world champion to fight Jimmy Kelly.

A successful maiden defence of the WBO strap can open doors for Smith. Per BBC Sport, the Liverpudlian has another famous name on his radar for 2016: Miguel Cotto.

Cotto and Mosley are not the only interesting foes in a packed division, as shown by the top-20 rankings from BoxRec. There is money, good money, to be made fighting at super welterweight.

First, though, Smith has to be switched on for the challenge of facing Kelly. He may not be quite the opponent he wanted first up, but it’s a hurdle he now has to clear.

Unknown Quantity

This kid Jimmy 'Kilrain' Kelly surely has to go down as the least intimidating world-title challenger ever. pic.twitter.com/2YbTOUWSAA

— A.J. Gambling (@EverInOurFavour) December 17, 2015

You could be forgiven for not knowing too much about the challenger.

Kelly may be on a 16-fight unbeaten streak, but he has received little media attention so far in his career in the paid ranks.

He won the vacant WBO intercontintential strap in October by beating Martin Fidel Rios on the same night Smith picked up the full WBO belt.

Understandably for a fighter who has only 72 rounds under his belt, the bookmakers have priced Kelly as a long shot for victory.

Per Odds Shark, the 23-year-old is a 7-2 shot to become Greater Manchester’s fifth world champion. The current quartet who hold belts from the area are Anthony Crolla, Terry Flanagan, Tyson Fury and Scott Quigg.

Yet Kelly's trainer, Ensley Bingham, is confident the underdog can pull off the upset on home turf.

He talked up the added bonus of his fighter being something of an unknown quantity at the pre-fight press conference, per the Manchester Evening News:

Liam is a great champion with a sharp right hand, good body shots and he’s excellent at cutting the ring down so we’re under no illusions, but I worked Joe Gallagher’s corner for many of his amateur fights so I understand how his mind operates.

We’ve been able to study tapes all of Liam’s fights, but there’s very little footage available of Jimmy, so that’s hugely to our advantage.

Trust me, he’s just as capable but no one has seen it yet. A Jimmy Kelly victory would be an upset in most people’s eyes, but not mine.

At 6’0” tall, Kelly will have a height advantage over Smith, who stands at 5′9 ½″. The same could be said for Thompson, though, and it didn't do him a lot of good.

It is a tall order for the inexperienced Kelly, but a surprise win would see him become Greater Manchester's latest—and most unlikely—success story in the ring.

  

Prediction

Smith has shown little respect for his opponent in the media during the buildup. Per promoter Frank Warren on Twitter, he described Kelly as "just wages for Xmas."

He would be foolish to take a victory for granted, even if Kelly is scheduled to got 12 rounds for the first time in his career.

However, the bout won't go the distance. It has the potential to play out similarly to Smith's clash with Thompson, when Beefy took his time to measure up his opponent before producing an impressive finish.

He will retain his crown by stoppage, with the end coming in either Round 5 or 6.

Erislandy Lara (21-2-2, 12 KO) is one of the best fighters in the world, but he rarely gets credit for his skills. In any case, his art will be on display on Wednesday night at Hialeah Park Racing and Casino in Miami, Florida.

Expect a large contingent of Cuban fans on hand for the man from the Pearl of the Antilles as he defends his WBA world super welterweight title against former IBF welterweight champion Jan Zaveck (35-3, 19 KO). 

The bout will presented by Premier Boxing Champions, and it will air on ESPN.

When: Wednesday, November 25, at 8 p.m. ET

Where: Hialeah Park Racing and Casino in Miami, Florida

TV: ESPN

Lara vs. Zaveck is the only bout scheduled to be televised, but you can see the entire card at BoxRec.com.

Honestly, this fight isn't moving the needle for most boxing fans. Raging Babe's tweet seems to be a fair assessment of most fight fans' level of interest: 

Hey guys! Next Wednesday is Lara-Zaveck! *blank stare*

— Raging Babe (@RagingBabe) November 18, 2015

The 32-year-old Lara is known for his excellent defense and cat-like reflexes. Like fellow Cuban Guillermo Rigondeaux, Lara's style has been criticized and labeled as boring by some. 

However, when it comes to the true art of hitting and avoiding punishment, few do it as well as Lara. Unfortunately for Lara—and others like him—his style doesn't create intrigue. Still, most should recognize the solid career he's had thus far.

The only losses on his record have been disputable. First, there was the horrible majority-decision defeat to Paul Williams in July 2011. Lara deserved to win but was robbed by incompetent judging.

Subsequently, the three judges assigned to the fight were banned.

Lara's only other professional loss came at the hands of Saul "Canelo" Alvarez in July 2014. This one was a split decision and also brought on some criticism, but not as much as the fight with Williams. Lara got on his horse a bit too much late against Canelo, and that led to his defeat.

Lara's bout with Canelo took place in Las Vegas, and that explains his skepticism about competing in Sin City.

Fight in Vegas at your own risk! #Boxing 💯

— Erislandy Lara (@Laraboxing) November 22, 2015

In his last fight, Lara boxed circles around Delvin Rodriguez in a one-sided rout that ended with all three judges scoring the fight 120-107 in the Cuban's favor. While he dropped Rodriguez once in the bout, some may have taken Lara to task for not finishing his overmatched opponent.

It will be interesting to see what approach he takes against Zaveck.

The 39-year-old Slovenian will be in just his fourth super welterweight bout after fighting almost his entire career at 147 pounds. He was never a big puncher, as his modest knockout totals indicate. Without KO power in his toolbox, he'll find it hard to disturb Lara's rhythm.

Zaveck pulled out a hard-fought, unanimous-decision win over Sasha Yengoyan in April, but he didn't look especially sharp. He'll need to be better if he hopes to have any chance of dethroning Lara.

Per OddsShark.com, Lara is a 1-65 favorite. Those are long odds, but they're appropriate for this matchup. Perhaps Zaveck can shock the world, but don't bet on it.

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Follow Brian Mazique on Twitter

Liam Smith has the chance to become the first in his family to hold a world title when he takes on John Thompson in Manchester, England. 

The vacant WBO light middleweight belt will be up for grabs in a bout that features on the same bill as Terry Flanagan's lightweight title defence against Diego Magdaleno.

Smith, one of four fighting siblings, is unbeaten in his professional career, boasting a 20-0-1 (10 KO) record.

Thompson (17-1, 6 KO), meanwhile, gets his unexpected shot at glory after Frenchman Michel Soro was forced to step aside due to issues with his promoters, Top Rank.

When: Saturday, October 10, at 9:30 p.m. BST / 4:30 p.m. ET

Where: Manchester Arena, Manchester, England

TV: BoxNation (UK)

Live Stream: BoxNation (UK, regional restrictions apply)

Family Affair

. @LiamBeefySmith looked ready to become World Champion at today's media workout. He faces John Thompson on Saturday pic.twitter.com/g32iTqhEZe

— Frank Warren (@FrankWarren) October 6, 2015

Smith has previously picked up British and Commonwealth titles, but now he gets the opportunity to give the family its first world champion.

Eldest brother Paul failed in two attempts, losing on both occasions to Arthur Abraham, while Stephen is now next in line for a shot at Jose Pedraza's IBF super featherweight belt.

While Callum is still dealing with domestic matters (he fights fellow Liverpudlian Rocky Fielding in November for the British strap), Liam stands on the cusp of achieving the ultimate goal for any fighter. 

He is confident of achieving the feat, per Sky Sports: "What's going to happen is I beat John Thompson, so I'll be the first of us brothers to be a world champion." 

However, mother Margaret will not be there to potentially see the big moment.

She chooses not to attend any of her sons' fights and won't be making an exception to her rule by travelling to Manchester. 

Liam told David Prentice of the Liverpool Echo: "She’ll just do what she’s always done. I was going to say she’ll be in the bingo, but she won’t be on Saturday night. She’ll be at home waiting for a phone call.”

Smith—a two-time Amateur Boxing Association champion—has worked his way into a position to challenge for a world title.

He has won his last five fights inside the distance, including stopping David Ezequiel Romero in the seventh round in April.

His task may have got a little easier with Soro's withdrawal, though Thompson is not to be underestimated. 

Picture Perfect

Fight week!On Saturday, @terryflanagan5 and @LiamBeefySmith both in big world title fights in Manchester! pic.twitter.com/X7yWiBuLV2

— Frank Warren (@FrankWarren) October 5, 2015

Thompson has a liking for canvas. Not necessarily being knocked down to it but creating pictures on it.

The American’s skills with a brush are good enough for him to make a second living away from the ring as an artist, per Declan Warrington of the Mail. "I've made quite a few dollars as far as art goes," Thompson said. "I did a surprise painting for Andre Ward for his birthday about two years ago, I did one for Miley Cyrus, I did one of [president Barack] Obama. I did quite a few paintings."

Now the 26-year-old has the chance to paint himself onto the world scene with a victory over Smith.

Thompson, though, is going to have to make a big step up to take the vacant strap.

He has yet to go beyond eight rounds in his professional career and has never fought outside of the United States.

The Apollo Kidd suffered his one and only defeat to date against Frank Galarza in January last year, when he was knocked out inside two rounds.

He also had to climb off the canvas in the first round to get the better of Brandon Adams the last time out. That win secured him the title in ESPN's 2015 Boxcino Tournament, an eight-man knockout event.

While his record doesn't suggest much, there is one area where Thompson is impressive.

The man from Newark, New Jersey, is 6’1” per BoxRec, making him a seriously tall campaigner at light middleweight. However, the bigger they come, the harder they fall.

  

Prediction 

Smith stands at 5′9½″, so he will have to come to grips with facing an opponent who has a considerable height advantage.

However, the local boy will overcome the sizable obstacle in front of him and take the vacant belt back home to show his mother.

Thompson’s previous issues staying upright will surface again, and he won’t see double figures in terms of rounds for the first time.

Smith will win by the sixth round, earning bragging rights over his three brothers.

A middle-aged titleholder meets a young buck who is trying to make a name for himself on Saturday, when Cornelius "K9" Bundrage (34-5, 19 KOs) defends his IBF world super welterweight belt against undefeated Jermall Charlo (21-0, 16 KOs).

The 42-year-old Bundrage doesn't step through the ropes too often these days. This will be just his eighth fight since 2009, losing once in that span. Charlo, the rising star that he is, fought seven times in 2013 alone. Saturday marks the 25-year-old's fourth bout in the last 12 months.

Bundrage vs. Charlo is scheduled for 12 rounds as the co-main event of Premier Boxing Champions on NBC. For omnivorous boxing fans, it should serve as a nice appetizer for the day's biggest boxing event, a pay-per-view showdown between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Andre Berto. You might have heard about it.

The PBC on NBC card also features a 12-round, 160-pound matchup between Peter "Kid Chocolate" Quillin (31-0-1, 22 KOs) and Michael Zerafa (17-1, 9 KOs).

Here's a rundown of the viewing info, followed by a preview of the match.

Cornelius Bundrage vs. Jermall Charlo Fight Info

Date: Saturday, September 12

Time: 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT

Location: Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut

TV: NBC

Live Stream: NBC Sports Live Extra

Preview

Bundrage, who rose to fame as a participant on ESPN's The Contender in 2006, is a two-time super welterweight titleholder who's taken a bit of a winding path to the top. Despite three losses since 2007, Bundrage has always managed to find a way into title contention.

He first took the IBF belt from Cory Spinks in August 2010 with a fifth-round TKO win. Two title defenses later, Bundrage lost his hardware to Ishe Smith in a close majority-decision bout. 

After pummeling Carlos Molina in October, Bundrage is back on top, but at his advanced age it's difficult to imagine him lording over his division for much longer. His stamina will come into question in a 12-rounder against an eager up-and-comer 17 years his junior.

Charlo—whose twin brother Jermell is another undefeated super welterweight contender—has trounced all-comers in his rise to title contention. His unanimous-decision win over Michael Finney in March—a shutout on the scorecards, no less—was his first bout to go the distance in nearly six years. In his 14 bouts in that time, Charlo racked up five KOs and four TKOs and forced five boxers to retire from the match early.

Charlo, 25, loves the jab and hits heavily, but he doesn't love to move. Bleacher Report's Kelsey McCarson explains his style:

Jermall has a fierce jab. He prefers to stand and fight rather than use movement, and he sits down on his punches to ensure they land with optimum force. Like any fighter who does the same thing, he does this at the expense of being heavier on his feet. It means more power and a better offense, but it also means being an easier target.

This might actually work to Bundrage's advantage, as the elder boxer can conserve energy if Charlo stays rooted to the spot and doesn't force him to chase. If you're expecting an abrupt change in style from Charlo in taking on a 20-year veteran of the squared circle, don't.

Charlo's trainer, Ronnie Shields, has suggested his fighter is going to dictate the bout. 

"Bundrage, sometimes he tries to put pressure on you, sometimes he tries to go on the outside and just plain box," Shields said, via Chron.com's Peter Lim. "The thing is, though, we're going to make him adjust to what we're doing, not us adjust to what he's doing. We're going to dictate whatever happens in the ring."

Charlo has a slight reach advantage (73.5" to 72", per BoxRec), so it could be Bundrage who is forced to circle away from Charlo's left hand and dart in for quick-strike combos. If K9 applies pressure, a granite jab awaits.

This fight isn't just a generational battle but one of civic pride as well. Bundrage represents Detroit, while Charlo hails from Houston. Both cities have rich boxing traditions but haven't produced many champions in recent years. Bundrage insists the title will remain in the Motor City. 

"Detroit is where the title is at, and it's not going anywhere. I will be ready to give my supporters all around the world a great performance," said Bundrage, via MLive.com's Cory Olsen.

As Lim notes, a Charlo win would end a long title drought for Houston.

"Should that happen, Charlo would bring an end to a seven-year dry spell of world titleholders in the Houston area," Lim wrote. "Houston boxers have gone 0-5-1 in world title fights since Juan Diaz lost his three lightweight belts in March of 2008."

Look for Charlo to establish his strong jab early on, forcing Bundrage to adapt and trade combos. Bundrage will have some success with this at times, but as the punishment mounts, he will fade. Charlo dominates the late rounds and realizes his dream of becoming a world champion.

How tough can a fighter nicknamed "Twinkle Fingers" be? 

Austin "No Doubt" Trout (29-2, 16 KOs) is about to find out as he takes on Joey "Twinkle Fingers" Hernandez (24-3, 14 KOs) in the main event of the debut of Premier Boxing Champions on Fox Sports 1.

The series is called Toe-to-Toe Tuesdays, and the mid-week show looks set to bring bouts that are mediocre on paper but could provide some solid action. Here's the viewing information for the first card.

When: Tuesday, September 8 at 9 p.m. ET

Where: Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles

TV: Fox Sports 1

Live Stream: Fox Sports

Tale of the Tape

Austin Trout	Name	Joey Hernandez
29	Age	30
Southpaw	Stance	Southpaw
5′ 9½″	Height	N/A
72”	Reach	N/A
(16 KOs) 29	Won	24 (14 KOs)
(0 KOs) 2	Lost	3 (1 KOs)
0	Drawn	1
52 percent	KO Percentage	50 percent

Last Time Out

Trout scored an easy TKO victory over Luis Galarza in May. Galarza was never able to challenge Trout at any point in the fight. Trout did appear to be punching with more purpose in that bout. He has the reputation of a soft puncher, but there were indications that he's looking to sit down on his punches more.

In Hernandez's last fight, young prospect Julian Williams gave him a clinic. According to all three scorecards, per BoxRec.com, Twinkle Fingers lost every round of the fight. Can he do any better against Trout?

Fighter Speak

It's clear this fight is a steppingstone for Trout. The former junior middleweight champion has his sights on regaining a title. Per the PBC website, he said: “This is an important fight. Winning should get me within inches of my next title fight.”

Since losing in back-to-back bouts against Canelo Alvarez and Erislandy Lara, Trout has won three straight.

None of his opponents have been household names, and the same applies to Hernandez. After all, there isn't even an official listing of height and reach for the 30-year-old Miami resident on BoxRec.

One look at Hernandez's Twitter account proves there's one thing on his mind. Check out the tweets:

https://twitter.com/JoeyHernandez_/status/639843946970132480

https://twitter.com/JoeyHernandez_/status/639648610901204992

Does this mean he'll do whatever is needed to win to secure bigger paydays, or does it mean he'll be satisfied with the purse for Tuesday's scrap? We'll find out soon.

Prediction

We don't know Hernandez's reach, but from looking at his fights on YouTube, he looks short and squatty. Hernandez's lack of hand and foot speed is also apparent.

Against a big, long and skilled opponent such as Trout, Hernandez will likely be in peril from the opening bell to whenever this one ends. Trout is not the biggest puncher, but he should have Hernandez so outclassed that he takes some chances.

Hernandez's lack of punching power should give Trout even more confidence. Look for Trout to win by fifth-round stoppage as he makes a case for another chance at elite status in the 154-pound division.

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Follow Brian Mazique on Twitter.