Stephen Smith believes his pursuit of the IBF world super-featherweight title is at a critical point as he prepares to face Devis Boschiero in a final eliminator.

Smith is convinced he will only get one shot at the championship and the experienced Italian stands in his way at the Liverpool Olympia, live on Sky Sports 1HD on Saturday night.

The prize for the Liverpudlian - brother of famous fighting clan Paul, Liam and Callum - is a date with the winner of next month's showdown between champion Jose Pedraza and Edner Cherry and he is determined to grasp the opportunity.

"I believe it is my only chance at a world title shot - that is how I am looking at it," he said.

"I have been waiting for a while and this is the only chance I will get, so I have to capitalise; it is now or never for me.

"If I win this fight then I am fighting for the world title - no politics, no negotiations - I am next in line and it's a chance I've been craving. Whether it be Pedraza or Cherry I don't mind, I just want my chance."

Smith has his hands full against former European champion Boschiero, who was edged out in a WBC world title challenge in Japan in 2011 via a controversial split decision against Takahiro Ao.

"I agree with people who say Boschiero should have won that fight in Japan," said Smith. "He was very unlucky not to get it in my opinion.

"At the moment, I cannot look past him. I can't see it as though I have a shot at the title - I have to go and beat him for it and that is what I fully intend to do.

"I think he is a good fighter, aggressive, and he comes looking for the big shots. But on the night it will hopefully play into my hands. Stylistically it makes for a good fight but it is one where I believe I will be better than him in every department.

"I have watched a lot of him. Joe Gallagher is a big believer in watching them and studying the shots. Joe has watched a hell of a lot of him and he has been on to me to watch this, watch this and watch that.

"I have done enough studying for this fight where I am now confident going in that I will be able to get the shots off that Joe wants me to."

Smith's clash with Boschiero tops a big night of action on Merseyside that includes Scotty Cardle's first defence of the British lightweight title against Cardiff's Gary Buckland and light-welterweight Bradley Saunders making his return from a hand injury.