Light-heavyweight Callum Smith returns to Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena on March 11 to take on Poland’s Pawel Stepien.
Smith hopes to secure his first victory of 2023 ahead of a fight with unified light-heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev later in the year.
The Liverpudlian blasted through Mathieu Bauderlique inside four rounds in August to become mandatory challenger for Beterbiev’s WBC title.
Victory over Stepien clears the way for a shot at Beterbiev as Smith bids to become a two-division world champion.
‘Mundo’ previously held the WBA super-middleweight title before moving up to 175lbs in 2021.
We're heading back to Liverpool as @CallumSmith23 headlines vs IBF 7, WBC 15 and WBA 13 ranked Pawel Stepien!
Two big fights on the undercard with @ParoLiam vs @RobbieDaviesJr and @realdpacheco vs @JackCullen1461 plus more! đź’Ąđź’Ą#SmithStepien | @DAZNBoxing pic.twitter.com/Z0iCpPmeyh
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) February 6, 2023
The undercard includes Australian super-lightweight Liam Paro against Liverpool’s Robbie Davies Jr in the chief support.
Paro blasted through countryman Brock Jarvis in October to maintain his number one ranking with the WBO.
Light-heavyweight Thomas Whittaker-Hart looks to avenge his defeat to Mickey Ellison last year.
Ellison edged past Whittaker-Hart to defend his Central Area title in October last year.
Top American prospect Diego Pacheco fights Jack Cullen at super-middleweight for the former’s first fight on British soil.
Popular heavyweight Johnny Fisher also features alongside lightweight Campbell Hatton. Both of their opponents are yet to be named.
Rhiannon Dixon contests for the lightweight Commonwealth title versus Vicky Wilkinson.
Former footballer and super-middleweight Paddy Lacey also features.
