Former WBA World Super Middleweight champion Callum Smith fights in his home city of Liverpool for the first time in three years when he faces the undefeated Pawel Stepien.
'Mundo' Smith, who has now moved up in weight to fight at light heavyweight, is the mandatory challenger for WBC champion Artur Beterbiev.
However, that bout is far from certain at this stage amid the possibility of a unification fight between Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol being arranged.
This is Smith's third light heavyweight outing since his defeat to Mexican superstar Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez in 2020 and he is looking for his third successive knockout.
| What | Callum Smith v Pawel Stepien |
| Where | M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool |
| When | Saturday 11th March 2023 |
| How to watch | DAZN |
| Odds | Callum Smith 1/33, Pawel Stepien 11/1 |
When is Callum Smith v Pawel Stepien?
The fight is scheduled to take place on Saturday 11th March 2023.
What time is Callum Smith v Pawel Stepien?
Television coverage of the main card gets underway at 7pm, with ringwalks for the main event scheduled for approximately 10pm.
Where is Callum Smith v Pawel Stepien?
The fight is set to take place at the iconic M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool.
Formerly known as the Echo Arena, this 11,000-seater venue has hosted a number of big fights, including the Liam Smith versus Anthony Fowler showdown in 2021.
It also regularly hosts Premier League Darts, and comedy and music concerts. The arena was the venue for the 2008 MTV Europe Music Awards, while superstars like Justin Bieber, Little Mix, Beyonce and local hero Paul McCartney have all played there.
This year's Eurovision Song Contest will also take place at the M&S Bank Arena in May.
Can I watch Callum Smith v Pawel Stepien?
Yes. The fight will be broadcast live on streaming service DAZN.
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Who is the favourite for Callum Smith v Pawel Stepien?
Callum Smith is 1/33 to come out on top in the bout, Stepien is 11/1 in the To Win Fight market.
Those odds reflect the fact that the home fighter is the more experienced and, while the two are the same age at 32, Stepien will have to prove he can handle the step up if he is to pull off a major shock.
Are there any belts on the line for Callum Smith v Pawel Stepien?
No. There are no belts on the line, but Callum Smith is ranked number one in the WBC light heavyweight rankings, this is a must-win fight for him if he is to challenge for Artur Beterbiev's title in the next 12 months.
He will expect to dominate his so-called weaker opponent but also knows he cannot afford to be complacent on the night against an undefeated, but relatively untested, fighter, certainly at this sort of level.
What is Callum Smith's record?
Callum Smith has tasted defeat just once in his 30-bout professional career.
That defeat was an unanimous points decision to the fearsome Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez, in which the Liverpudlian lost his WBA world super middleweight title.
Smith, 32, has knocked out 21 of his opponents, including his last two - both inside four rounds.
What is Pawel Stepien's record?
Poland's Pawel Stepien is undefeated after 19 professional bouts - all at light heavyweight level.
He has a fairly impressive CV, having won 18 bouts, 12 by knockout, while he drew with fellow Pole Marek Matyja back in 2019.
The judges' scorecards were needed, though, in his last three fights, all over eight rounds, and this represents his biggest and toughest fight yet.
This is Stepien's first-ever 12-round professional bout, so he is stepping up considerably to take on Smith.
Who else is on the card for Callum Smith v Pawel Stepien?
Among the other highlights in Liverpool on a busy night, talented American prospect Liam Paro takes on the UK's Jack Cullen for the WBO International Super Middleweight title.
Meanwhile, popular Romford heavyweight Johnny Fisher is also scheduled to fight when he faces Italy's Alfonso Damiani.
Lightweight Rhiannon Dixon takes on Vicky Wilkinson in another of the evening's eagerly-anticipated bouts.
