By Matt Bevan

Liverpool Super featherweight star Stephen Smith, 20-1 (12), will no longer feature on the undercard of Tony Bellew and Nathan Cleverly’s clash on November 22 in his home city.

Smith was originally announced on the bill, although no opponent had been set, but a bout of illness has cost him his place on the card at the Echo Arena.

“Swifty” told BoxingScene that: “I’ve unfortunately had a pretty bad illness, which means I won’t be fighting until at least the end of January.  I’m going to make sure I’m completely rid of the problem before having a 12 week camp to make I’m in the best shape possible.

“I’m gutted not to be on the bill, especially as it is in Liverpool and it’s a massive show for British boxing.  However, this latest setback will only make me stronger and when I return, I’m going straight after that WBC title.”

Smith spent most of 2014 in pursuit of WBC champion Takashi Miura, who defends his belt on the 22nd against Edgar Puerta in Japan, and was pushing for a final eliminator to secure a lucrative fight with the Japanese titlist in 2015.

However, those plans have been put on hold for the time-being as Smith recovers from the illness.  But he will still have a big interest in the bill, as his younger brother Callum takes on Nikola Sjekloca in a world title eliminator and training stablemate Scott Quigg defends his WBA super-bantamweight belt against Hidenori Otake.

(@MBevs68)