Monday 10 November 2014 14:56, UK
Callum Smith is determined to prove he can step-up to world level when he faces Nikola Sjekloca in an eliminator for the WBC super-middleweight title.
The undefeated 24-year-old will battle the experienced Sjeckloca at the sold-out Echo Arena in Liverpool on November 22, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
The Liverpool fighter believes there are big fights on the horizon in 2015, but knows the Serb is a real dangerman, with his only defeats coming against WBO champion Arthur Abraham and former WBC king Sakio Bika.
“I am expecting a tough 12 rounds because it's a massive step-up in class,” said Smith.
“He's only lost two fights and they were to world champions so I know I am in a massive step-up, but one that I'm ready for. I wouldn't ask for a fight like this if I didn't feel I was ready.
A lot of eyebrows were raised when the fight was made, but I feel ready for it and it's time for me to back up the hype and add my name to theirs.
“A lot of eyebrows were raised when the fight was made, but I feel ready for it and it's time for me to back up the hype and add my name to theirs.
“2015 can be a massive year for me if I win and win well. If I come through this then I can look at getting a final eliminator and I will have earned my position, nothing has been given to me.
“I'm not asking for a world title shot, I am doing it the right way, having eliminators to move into the position.
“I feel that this time next year I will be in a position to face whoever has the title and I'd be confident of winning.”
Smith is hot on the heels of fellow super-middleweights James DeGale and George Groves, who are both hunting world title shots early next year.
The bitter London rivals both fight on the packed Liverpool bill, with DeGale taking on dangerous Mexican Marco Antonio Periban and Groves matched against American Denis Douglin.
A domestic showdown with Groves could occur in the near future and Smith insists he will soon be ready for 'Saint George'.
“If I was to be matched with George tomorrow I would be confident that I would win, but realistically it's not going to be tomorrow, it's a fight for next summer,” he said.
If I was to be matched with George tomorrow I would be confident that I would win, but realistically it's not going to be tomorrow, it's a fight for next summer.
“(Carl) Froch and (George) Groves was massive and (Tony) Bellew and (Nathan) Cleverly is too. I would love to be in big all-British World title fights.
“People think that if you are inexperienced then you can't do it at the top level. Just because I haven't been in a big fight yet doesn't mean that I will fold when I do get in there.
“It's the same with George. When he first called Froch out no-one gave him a chance, but he rose to the occasion and I believe that I can do the same.
“I need experience and tough fights and this is a good gauge of where I am. George and James are both great fighters and next year I think I will be ready to face them.”
The stacked card is headlined by the rematch between bitter rivals Cleverly and Bellew, while Scott Quigg defends his WBA super-bantamweight title against Japan’s Hidenori Otake and Jamie McDonnell puts his WBA bantamweight title on the line against Colombian Walberto Ramos.
Exciting heavyweight Anthony Joshua also returns to action, battling Michael Sprott in a British title eliminator.
