By Elliot Foster

Liam Smith believes we are yet to see the best of him.

The former WBO world super-welterweight champion recently linked up with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom after splitting with Frank Warren.

Smith will make his debut under the Essex-based promoter on March 30 when he takes on Sam Eggington, exclusively live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN Stateside, at the newly-named M&S Bank Arena in the city.

But the ex-British and Commonwealth champion, who has been out since last July’s defeat at the hands of Mexican WBO king Jaime Munguia, believes his Stourbridge foe has made the wrong decision in taking the fight.

“I’ve got to put in a big performance that makes Eddie think he was right in signing me so on that note I feel like Sam’s made a bad decision in taking this fight,” Smith said when the fight was formally announced at a press conference earlier this week.

“The fight is in Liverpool, which is an added incentive, and at this stage of my career, Eddie is the best person to take me forward and he probably has been for a while.

“I’m in a vital part of my career now and I think Sam’s a good opponent to get started with.”

‘Beefy’ will be joined on the card by Rotunda ABC amateur Tom Hart, who will campaign at light-heavyweight, as well as a plethora of local talent.
And the 30-year-old feels like he is in the same boat, coming into the form of his life and that he has a fresh start in front of him.

“I feel like a kid at Christmas at the moment,” he continued. “I could go on and on all day about the highs I’m having at the moment. It’s been a long time coming, me signing with [Eddie Hearn] and Matchroom and I feel like I’m making my debut all over again.

“No matter how the fight will go, you know it’s going to be a good one. Sam comes, he brings no awkwardness, he’s not coming to make it an awkward night for myself and vice versa.

“I feel [Matchroom have] got enough dates, they’ve got enough pull around the world now to keep me busy, that was a big factor in me signing with them and the fight with Sam is first.

“We know what he brings, we know he loves a fight, he’s going to come and because it’s me he’ll give it that bit more of everything. A win puts him where I want to go and we’ll be prepared and I know Sam will.

“We’re not going to stand in the middle of the ring, holding each other and looking for rests, we both like a fight and I just feel I’m that little bit cuter in everything I do.”