Liam Smith vs. Predrag Radosevic: Fight Time, Date, Live Stream and TV Info

Liam Smith defends his WBO super welterweight title in his home city of Liverpool, England, on Saturday, as he faces Predrag Radosevic at the Echo Arena.

Smith (22-0-1, 12 KOs) claimed the vacant title in Manchester last year, stopping American John Thompson in Round 7.

He returned to the Manchester Arena just over two months later to defend the belt against local fighter Jimmy Kelly, winning by TKO in Round 7 for a second successive outing.

Beefy's homecoming in Liverpool sees him up against Radosevic (30-1, 11 KOs), who is the WBO's European champion at the weight.

Also on the bill, super flyweight Paul Butler puts his WBO International belt on the line against Petchbarngborn Kokietgym (and yes, I did copy and paste that in from BoxRec).

Bantamweight Zolani Tete is also in action. The South African—now dubbed the Scouse African due to his regular appearances in Liverpool—is taking on Victor Ruiz.

In the same division, Ryan Farrag fights Karim Guerfi for the European title.

When: Saturday, June 4, 10 p.m. BST (5 p.m. ET)

Where: Echo Arena, Liverpool

TV: BoxNation (UK)

Live stream: BoxNation (UK)

Major Targets

Dave Thompson/Getty Images

Smith desperately wants to fight a big name in the near future.

He has already stated his desire for an all-English showdown with IBF welterweight champion Kell Brook, according to Neil Fissler of the Daily Express.

More recently, the Liverpudlian talked up the possibility of a money-spinning clash with Saul "Canelo" Alvarez. He took to Twitter to confirm his interest in the bout:

Facing Canelo at super welterweight would be a wonderful opportunity for Smith, who was previously the British and Commonwealth champion at 154 pounds.

First, though, he has to make sure he hangs onto his WBO belt at the weekend.

The 27-year-old has insisted he's not looking beyond his next opponent, according to quotes published by Boxing News:

"

I’m buzzing to get back in the ring on Saturday. I’ve been out of the ring since December and I’ve had a good rest. I’ve been linked with some big names but none of those fights can happen if I don’t win this weekend. I’m fully focused on Predrag Radosevic; he’s a dangerous opponent and has my full attention. I’m from too good a family and too good a gym to overlook anyone.

"

Smith has won his last six outings inside the distance, an impressive run that helped him become the first world champion in the family.

Brothers Paul, Stephen and Callum will no doubt be ringside to watch their sibling in action. They—like everyone else in attendance—will expect Liam to look good in retaining his title on home turf.

Mixed Signals

If you took a quick glance at Radosevic's record, you'd be forgiven for thinking Smith could be in for a tough test.

The man from Montenegro has only lost once as a pro in 31 fights. That solitary defeat came against former world champion Felix Sturm in a middleweight contest in 2013.

Radosevic, though, was outclassed by the German. He was knocked down three times in total before eventually being stopped in Round 4.

He has won three on the spin since that setback, including beating veteran Italian Giuseppe Lauri to claim the vacant WBO European super welterweight belt.

However, records can be deceptive. Smith is a serious step up in class from the 31-year-old's previous three opponents.

Radosevic is ranked in the top 10 by the WBO, according to FightNews.com. However, BoxRec lists him at No. 67 in their rankings for the entire division.

On paper, it looks like two fighters with decent records going head-to-head. In the ring, it could end up looking like a mismatch.

Beefy should have been fighting Austin Trout in a mandatory defence, as he explained to Micheal McKenna of the Liverpool Echo:

"

It's not a mandatory defence; the WBO ordered the Austin Trout fight but that didn't happen. It's a voluntary defence and people might give me stick because I've had two on the bounce but they'll soon know, the minute I get offered a big fight, I'll take it.

Realistically, looking forward, the closest thing that will come into play is the Canelo fight. I have got to win on Saturday first but that fight might be back on the table.

"

Trout would have been a more worthy challenger, but all Radosevic can do is turn up and make the most of the opportunity presented to him.

Prediction

If Radosevic couldn't cope with Sturm, how will he suddenly be able to handle Smith?

The champion is a pressure fighter, someone who excels at closing down space and cutting off exit routes. With a heavy diet of body shots, he wears down opponents.

The challenger's cause would be helped if he carried a threat with his punching power. However, he has managed just 11 knockout wins in his career.

You can expect Beefy to stretch his unbeaten run to seven by stopping Radosevic, who might not manage to match the efforts of Thompson and Kelly in stretching the contest beyond the halfway point.

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