STEPHEN SMITH HEADLINES LIVERPOOL OLYMPIA WITH DEFENCE OF HIS TITLES

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

COX CHALLENGES FOR FIRST PRO TITLE ON DebRA FIGHT NIGHT

Swindon star Jamie Cox headlines Frank's Warren's first show of the new season on the promoter's annual DebRA charity show on Friday 9th September at the Hilton Hotel, Park Lane, London.

This will be Warren's sixth Fight Night in support of DebRA that has helped raised millions of pounds for the national charity that works on behalf of people in the UK that are affected by the genetic skin blistering condition Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB).

Cox, 24, was a top amateur who won gold at the 2006 Commonwealth Games and has racked up an unbeaten record of 15 wins in the professional ranks.

He challenges for the first title in his career when he tackles tough Ghanaian Obodai Sai, the current Commonwealth Light-Middleweight Champion, live on Sky Sports.

"I'm ecstatic that I'm going for my first professional title and it's going to be the first of many," said Cox.

"Like all fighters from Ghana, Obodai is going to be tough hard guy throwing plenty of punches and it's going to be a good test for me, which is what I need to get the best out of me,"

"I'm treating him as a world champion and that I'm fighting for the world title on the night."

He added, "This is my second time on a DebRA Fight Night show and it's an honour that Frank has put me on as the main event this time,"

"I give my full support to the charity after seeing all the work that they do for sufferers of Epidermolysis Bullosa,"

The show will also feature unbeaten Irish super-featherweight talent Stephen Ormond in an eight-rounder, plus undefeated welterweight prospect George Michael Carmen from Slough in a six-rounder.

The black-tie dinner is always a sell out, and attended by celebrities as well as some of boxing's biggest names.

Further information on table packages and sponsorship opportunities can be found at: www.debra.org.uk

London - Tickets for the upcoming “The Only Show in Town” Boxing Bonanza which is taking place at the famous King’s Hall, Belfast on Saturday 17th September are now on Sale.

Tickets priced from £28.00 are available to purchase from the Ticketmaster box office on 0844 277 4455 (24 hour). Tickets are also available in person from Ticketmaster outlets, and online from www.ticketmaster.ie.

Prices:

£28.00 Unreserved floor seating

£28.00 Unreserved Balcony Seating

£50.00 Silver Ringside Seating

£100.00 Gold Ringside Seating

The fight will be shown live in the UK on Channel 5.

Undercard to date:

12 x 3 min rounds  -   Tyson Fury (Galway / Nutts Corner)  vs.  TBA
10 x 3 min rounds  -   Junior Witter (Sheffield)  vs.  Stephen Haughian (Lurgan)
8 x 3 min rounds    -   Ryan Greene (Lurgan)  vs.  Willie Thompson (Ballyclare)
6 x 3 min rounds    -   Kid Galahad (Sheffield)  vs.  TBA
6 x 3 min rounds    -   Phill Fury (Lancaster)  vs.  TBA
6 x 3 min rounds    -   Tommy Tolan (Belfast)  vs.  Philip Townsley
6 x 3 min rounds    -   Kevin O'Hara (Belfast)  vs.  TBA