Who wins the Merseyside battle between Liam Smith and Anthony Fowler?
Super-welterweight rivals Liam 'Beefy' Smith (29-3-1, 16KOs) and Anthony 'The Machine' Fowler (15-1, 12KOs) will clash in a huge Merseyside derby on October 9 at the M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool, live worldwide on DAZN.
It's a 12-round contest between a hungry lion and a seasoned former world champion, but who wins?
BBN asked their resident boxing panel, consisting of pros boxers, managers, trainers and writers, for their expert opinions:
Wayne Alexander
Former British & European super-weterweight champion
"Firstly how good is it for two top British fighters from the same city getting it on.
Liam Smith definitely has more experience being a former world champion,and still is a good combination punching stiff-hitter, but I just believe the slightly younger, fresher and maybe more hungry fighter in Anthony Fowler can win a hard fight on points.
It’s definitely a pick'em contest, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it went the other way to Smith on points."
Muhammad Ali Zahid
Unbeaten super-welterweight prospect
"Firstly it’s a great domestic fight. A treat for us fight fans!
Huge respect to Anthony Fowler for taking such a risky fight so early on in his career. Due to the level Liam Smith has boxed at, facing the likes of Canelo and Munguia, he must have learnt a lot, gaining experience.
I’m going with a late Liam Smith stoppage – 8-10 rounds."
Troy Williamson
IBF European super-welterweight champion
"I think it's a very interesting fight. And it'll be a clash of styles, which will gel well and make for a tear-up in the later rounds."
Daniel Mendes
Former Southern Area cruiserweight champion
"I think Fowler wins, possibly by stoppage, had this fight been a few years ago I would expect a Smith win but I feel currently Fowler's age, strength and the fact he has been in less wars than Smith will work in Fowler's favour especially in the later rounds."
Anish Parekh
BBN Writer
"It's got to be Smith.
He has fought at world level and can still consider himself a fringe contender at the very least.
Fowler on the other hand has so far struggled to prove that he is beyond the status of a domestic fighter and has never really convinced me of his credentials to become a top pro.
What I will say about Fowler is he has a fighters heart and takes the sport seriously enough to work himself into peak condition. This will enable him to fight at a fast pace early on but I will be surprised if he remains competitive with Smith beyond the first five rounds.
The smarter, more seasoned Smith stops Fowler late or wins clearly on the cards. Either way, I believe it will be a fun night for scouser who will undoubtedly create a rowdy atmosphere."
Nick Ball
Unbeaten featherweight prospect
“It’s a hard one to pick, Smith has got the better experience, but Fowler has got heavy hands and it could catch fire at any moment. I know people call Fowler a machine, but Liam has got an engine on him and done a lot more 12-round fights than Fowler.”
Tim Rickson
BBN Editor
"I think this pair will make for a terrific fight.
Fowler is so disciplined and gets himself into incredible form and shape for his fights, Because of that fitness and engine, I think he will come out fast and cause Smith a few early problems, but this is a world-class fighter he's in with and he will eventually find his ryhthm and begin to battle back against the tide.
I think it could be a game of two halves, with Fowler dominating early, landing good shots as Smith tries to close the gap, then after the mid-rounds I can 'Beefy' begin to bully the younger man to win on points or even force a late stoppage."
Ben Day
Former Southern Area champion
"For me, Liam Smith is the better fighter and with more experience at a higher level."
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