Matchroom Boxing: The Homecoming: Smith vs Ryder Preview

Matchroom Boxing: The Homecoming: Smith vs Ryder Preview

By Jonathan Oxley

An action packed night of boxing is set to raise the roof of the M&S Arena in Liverpool this coming Saturday.

Callum Smith will headline a packed card in what promises to be a cracking all-British encounter with Smith’s titles up for grabs.

There have been calls for Smith to make a big statement in this fight and get an emphatic win over John Ryder. Smith has become ever more frustrated in trying to secure big fights, for him a huge and very lucrative fight with Saul “Canelo” Alvarez must now follow.

Lately there have been calls for him to fight WBO super-middleweight champion, Billy Joe Saunders in a massive all-British clash.

If Smith can make a heavy hitting statement on Saturday night and KO Ryder it will surely open the way for a showdown with Canelo at some point next year.

Ryder will be looking to cause what would be an enormous upset if he can beat Smith, “The Gorilla” will need to find something extra to stay with Smith in this one I feel, Smith is regarded as one of the top fighters in the world right now.

Liverpool fighter Craig Glover will get the chance to fight in his home city under the Matchroom banner as he takes on Chris Billam-Smith for the vacant Commonwealth cruiserweight title. Billam-Smith is looking to claim the title to line up a rematch with Richard Riakporhe following a very close split decision loss.

Glover will be looking to make progress following a couple of surprising defeats, the Tony Bellew managed Scouser will need to find his form early on to beat Billam-Smith.

Anthony Fowler fights English super-welterweight champion Harry Scarff in what many fans are describing as a fight of the night contender.

Fowler has once again found momentum after a great performance to beat Brian Rose for the vacant WBO Inter-Continental middleweight title.

Scarff will certainly be out to make a good name for himself with what would be an upset win over the 2016 Rio Olympian.

Belfast lightweight James Tennyson defends his WBA International title against Craig Evans in a final eliminator for the British lightweight title.

Tennyson coming off a great win for the vacant WBA International lightweight title last time out over Atif Shafiq. Evans recently captured the WBO European lightweight title, this should be a great bout.

Thomas Whittaker-Hart looks to keep up the winning start to his pro career as he takes on tough Croatian fighter Josep Perkovic, The Liverpool man will look to add to his 3-0 start and make the Croatian man his 4th victim.

The card will also feature Marcus Molloy and Tom Aitchison, both 1-0 respectively after winning starts to their professional careers. A great chance to showcase themselves on Sky Sports under Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom promotion.