Although there is no title on the line, the ‘all-Scouse’ clash between Liam Smith and Anthony Fowler on 9 October has enlivened the attention of boxing fans.

In the latest episode of Betfred’s Boxing Show, regular host and former WBA and WBO lightweight world champion Anthony Crolla  discussed the main event and the undercard with Matchroom CEO Eddie Hearn,… need to add something here?

Anticipation for the bout – dubbed the ‘Battle of Liverpool’ – has gripped the city, whilst a packed undercard which has seen two light middleweight bouts of Ted Cheeseman vs Troy Williamson and Kieron Conway vs James ‘JJ’ Metcalf also grab attention.

Commenting on the buzz of hosting a full press conference after months of lockdown inactivity, Hearn remarked: “It felt like having a birthday party when you’ve not thrown one for a while, and hoping people will turn up, and obviously you always know the size of a show by the amount of people who turn up for a press conference.

“This one, I think it’s caught people’s attention, it’s got their imagination – it’s Liverpool v Liverpool and a big fight.”

Observing that there ‘isn’t a bad fight on the card’ in various weight classes, Crolla quizzed Hearn on whether the winners of the two light-middleweight bouts were later face each other and push forwards to hosting a main event.

“I think it’s probably the best Saturday night card we’ve done for many years, especially in Liverpool,” the Matchroom boss replied. “I think JJ Metcalf against Kieron Conway is a great example, of someone suffering a loss and having a little easy 10-rounder just to get back on the horse.

Interestingly, the loss that Hearn was referring to was Metcalf’s 11th round TKO defeat to fellow Battle of Liverpool fighter Cheeseman after a grueling bout which saw both men observe heavy punches, on the undercard of Dillian Whyte’s successful heavyweight rematch against Russia’s Alexander Povietkin.

Hearn continued: “Obviously we’re lucky to be in this deal here with DAZN where I can say ‘here’s the money, it’s great money, and if you think you can win do it.’ So we’ve got Kieron Conway vs JJ Metcalf, and obviously Cheeseman against Williamson as well – two great fights. Then you’ve got Fowler and Smith, which is so intriguing.”

Source – Betfred YouTube Channel