By Liam Santiago: On October 30th, Stephen Smith will fight on the undercard of his brother’s British title fight, at the Echo arena, Liverpool. Although it will only be the Liverpool prospect’s eighth fight, he is already looking very promising in the pro ranks. Also on the bill will be Stephen’s younger brother Liam, James DeGale, Frankie Gavin and Tony Belew, along with the British welterweight clash between Michael Jenkins and Kell Brook. Stephen Smith was kind enough to let me ask him a few questions.

Santiago: Hows training going for October 30th?

Smith: Training is going brilliant for my next fight on October 30th. I am Feeling great. All 3 of us (me and my two brothers) are ahead of schedule and very fit with 4 weeks still to go.

Santiago: Do you have an opponent lined up yet?

Smith: I am not sure of the opponent as of yet…

Santiago: You are undefeated in seven bouts. Do you have the english title in your sights?

Smith: Yes. I will hopefully hold the English title before the year is done.

Santiago: You must be very proud to be fighting in your home town, with your older brother topping the bill, does that inspire you and push you on?

Smith: Yes, it’s a brilliant feeling. To fight in the Echo Arena is amazing in itself but to be fighting there with my younger brother Liam, on the undercard when my elder brother wins the British Title is a dream. The night cant come quick enough!

Santiago: You seem to have settled into the pro game well. Where do you see yourself being in the next couple of years?

Smith: The pro game is going well. A couple of years down the line I see myself being still undefeated and established a lot more in the game. I would like to win the British title next year and hold it outright in a couple of years.

Santiago: Do you ever get compared to the olympians that have recently turned pro?

Smith: Yes, obviously i’m always going to be compared to the Olympians what with having travelled around the world in the same team as them. They are my close friends and I believe they will go a long way.

Santiago: Do you do any training between fights?

Smith: Yes, I stay in the gym for my next fight, doing some runs and light training sessions.

Santiago: What’s your training routine?

Smith: I run at 6am every morning on the Netherfield Road hills in Liverpool, then I train at 11am at Bridge Road Gym in the Vaughan Camp under George Vaughan. There I do my sparring, padwork, bags, circuits etc.

Santiago: Long term, how far do you see yourself going in the sport.

Smith: I see myself going all the way in the sport and becoming a World Champion. I dont think I would do it if I didn’t truly believe I could achieve my goals.

Santiago: Who will win, Cotto vs Pacquiao?

Smith: Pacquiao, he is too fast.

Santiago: Best boxer in the sport today?

Smith: Mayweather. By far. He is one of the best to have ever lived. Makes the sport look so easy….something I think the best in their sports always seem to be able to do.

Santiago: Khan vs Prescott 2, who would win?

I’d like to think Amir would have learned from his mistakes and would do the job right second time around. Prescott has gone on and lost since their fight, whereas Amir has come on leaps and bounds, winning a genuine World Title along the way. He is a good example to everyone…showing how to come back from a devastating loss. All credit to him.

On behalf of boxing news 24, I would like to thank Stephen for his time and wish him the best of luck for his October 30th bout.