Liam Smith hopes to spar with Miguel Cotto, just a few weeks after winning his WBO light-middleweight title.

The Liverpudlian became Britain's latest world champion after his seventh-round stoppage win over John Thompson in Manchester last Saturday.

But the newly crowned 27-year-old has set aside any celebration plans as he is close to being confirmed as a sparring partner for Cotto ahead of his upcoming megafight with Saul Alvarez.

Smith will fly out to America next week if he gets the go-ahead to join Cotto's training camp and is excited about the opportunity of pitting his skills against the fearsome Puerto Rican.

"I'm just waiting on it being finalised this week," Smith told Sky Sports.

"I've been wanting to spar Miguel Cotto over in LA and that will be priceless, going over there, getting some rounds with such a world class fighter.

"He's one of my favourite fighters stylistically and I would love to test myself against him."

The 34-year-old Cotto has been billed as the underdog, despite his multiple world title wins, but Smith believes he could upset the younger Mexican star in Las Vegas on November 21. 

"He's quite the big favourite with the bookies and social media, he's being picked by most, but I just think Cotto is going to beat him," said Smith.

"A lot of people say Canelo will be too fresh but I fancy Cotto, I just think he's got a little bit more to his game. That doesn't mean to say I don't like Canelo, I think he's unbelievable, he's world class, but I just have a feeling that Cotto is going to do it."

Fresh from the biggest win of his career, the Merseysider quickly became embroiled in a social media spat with Shane Mosley.

The American, who has shared the ring with some of the sport's biggest stars, responded dismissively after being mentioned as a possible opponent, and Smith insists he would prove his point if they ever meet in the ring.

He said: "I spoke well of him and typical social media - it got blown out of proportion and he's jumped on something. But I do think he's jumped on something to talk himself into a fight.

"I would take it a million per cent and would go as far as saying he's not a patch what he was. He's an unbelievable fighter, but to me he's past it and I would take it in a heartbeat."