Liam Smith vs. John Thompson: Fight Time, Date, Live Stream and TV Info

Liam Smith has the chance to become the first in his family to hold a world title when he takes on John Thompson in Manchester, England. 

The vacant WBO light middleweight belt will be up for grabs in a bout that features on the same bill as Terry Flanagan's lightweight title defence against Diego Magdaleno.

Smith, one of four fighting siblings, is unbeaten in his professional career, boasting a 20-0-1 (10 KO) record.

Thompson (17-1, 6 KO), meanwhile, gets his unexpected shot at glory after Frenchman Michel Soro was forced to step aside due to issues with his promoters, Top Rank.

When: Saturday, October 10, at 9:30 p.m. BST / 4:30 p.m. ET

Where: Manchester Arena, Manchester, England

TV: BoxNation (UK)

Live Stream: BoxNation (UK, regional restrictions apply)

Family Affair

Smith has previously picked up British and Commonwealth titles, but now he gets the opportunity to give the family its first world champion.

Eldest brother Paul failed in two attempts, losing on both occasions to Arthur Abraham, while Stephen is now next in line for a shot at Jose Pedraza's IBF super featherweight belt.

While Callum is still dealing with domestic matters (he fights fellow Liverpudlian Rocky Fielding in November for the British strap), Liam stands on the cusp of achieving the ultimate goal for any fighter. 

He is confident of achieving the feat, per Sky Sports: "What's going to happen is I beat John Thompson, so I'll be the first of us brothers to be a world champion." 

However, mother Margaret will not be there to potentially see the big moment.

She chooses not to attend any of her sons' fights and won't be making an exception to her rule by travelling to Manchester. 

Liam told David Prentice of the Liverpool Echo: "She’ll just do what she’s always done. I was going to say she’ll be in the bingo, but she won’t be on Saturday night. She’ll be at home waiting for a phone call.”

Smith—a two-time Amateur Boxing Association champion—has worked his way into a position to challenge for a world title.

He has won his last five fights inside the distance, including stopping David Ezequiel Romero in the seventh round in April.

His task may have got a little easier with Soro's withdrawal, though Thompson is not to be underestimated. 

Picture Perfect

Thompson has a liking for canvas. Not necessarily being knocked down to it but creating pictures on it.

The American’s skills with a brush are good enough for him to make a second living away from the ring as an artist, per Declan Warrington of the Mail. "I've made quite a few dollars as far as art goes," Thompson said. "I did a surprise painting for Andre Ward for his birthday about two years ago, I did one for Miley Cyrus, I did one of [president Barack] Obama. I did quite a few paintings."

Now the 26-year-old has the chance to paint himself onto the world scene with a victory over Smith.

Thompson, though, is going to have to make a big step up to take the vacant strap.

He has yet to go beyond eight rounds in his professional career and has never fought outside of the United States.

The Apollo Kidd suffered his one and only defeat to date against Frank Galarza in January last year, when he was knocked out inside two rounds.

He also had to climb off the canvas in the first round to get the better of Brandon Adams the last time out. That win secured him the title in ESPN's 2015 Boxcino Tournament, an eight-man knockout event.

While his record doesn't suggest much, there is one area where Thompson is impressive.

The man from Newark, New Jersey, is 6’1” per BoxRec, making him a seriously tall campaigner at light middleweight. However, the bigger they come, the harder they fall.

Prediction 

Smith stands at 5′9½″, so he will have to come to grips with facing an opponent who has a considerable height advantage.

However, the local boy will overcome the sizable obstacle in front of him and take the vacant belt back home to show his mother.

Thompson’s previous issues staying upright will surface again, and he won’t see double figures in terms of rounds for the first time.

Smith will win by the sixth round, earning bragging rights over his three brothers.