Featherweight hot-shot Stephen Smith will headline the Liverpool Olympia on Saturday 17th September in his first fight of the new boxing season.

Smith, one of Britain’s fast rising stars, makes the first defence of the British title and will also put his Commonwealth belt on the line against Welshman Lee Selby, live on Sky Sports.

The 26-year-old beat John Simpson in their rematch in April to claim the prestigious Lonsdale belt to become the first Scouser to hold the title since Gary Thornhill over a decade ago.

Selby, from Barry, won the Celtic title last month with a sixth round stoppage of Scotsman James Ancliff.

“I can’t wait to get back in the ring as British and Commonwealth champion and defend my titles,” said Smith.

He added, “I’ve got so many ambitions in my career; one is to win the Lonsdale belt outright as I would love to own one of my own; I also want the European title to complete the set and I want the ultimate which is a world title,”

“First I’ve got to deal with Selby who is a tough first defence and I was really impressed with his win over Ancliff, but he stepping up to a new league against me and he’ll know it on the night,”

Stephen’s older brother Paul, the former British Super-Middleweight Champion, continues his comeback on the card in an eight rounder against Bristol’s Danny Butler; plus the youngest of the brothers, Liam, is out in six round contest as he targets his first title opportunity.

The hugely popular super-middleweight Rocky Fielding, a former Prizefighter winner, is back in action as well light-middleweight talent Joe Selkirk who impressed with his first round stoppage of Terry Carruthers in his last fight.

Former amateur star Paul Butler from Ellesmere Port, currently unbeaten in three fights, features in a four-round super-flyweight contest.

Welsh light-welterweight Lewis Rees made an impact in his debut in May when he stopped Sid Razak inside two rounds and also completes the Olympia show.

Tickets, priced at £30, £40 and £60 are available from the Liverpool Olympia Box Office on 0151 263 6633, online at www.liverpoololympia.com or www.frankwarren.tv

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