Smith meets Jupp on Manchester undercard before division move

“His brother came into my gym one day and had a bit to say, so we had a bit of needle over the ring.

“But I don’t like him and I know I hit harder than him, that I’m better than him and I know that if I catch him he’ll go over.”

Although, challenger Jupp (12-2, 4 KOs) believes he can tame his high-flying rival, and is 5/1 to do so, having claimed that Smith has fought nobody of significance in his career.

“Mitchell is a very good all rounder, easily my toughest test,” admitted the 24-year-old. “But he hasn’t beaten anyone great. Who’s he fought? I’m his toughest opponent to date.

“Mitch and I sparred a few years back and I know that on my day, I can mix at that level.”

Celtic battle between Williams and Carslaw

Also featuring on this exciting undercard is a Celtic clash between Liam Williams and Kris Carslaw, as the respective Welsh and Scottish contenders battle it out for the Commonweatlh and vacant British light-middleweight titles.

Clydach Vale fighter Williams (12-0-1, 7 KOs) returns to the ring from a year absence following surgery to a hand injury, which he sustained during the first round stoppage of Michael Lomax in November 2014 when he clinched the Commonwealth title, and he is odds-on 8/11 for a comeback knockout win.

“I’ve been out of the ring for a while so I’m looking forward to making my return and getting my name back up there again,” stated the Welshman.

Wales versus Scotland in Manchester

“I was on a good run of knockouts against [Yuri] Pompilio, [Ronnie] Heffron, [Stepan] Horvath and Lomax so Carslaw will be a good fight back for me and bring the best out. My right hand feels brand new now and I’m punching harder than before with equal confidence in sparring and hitting the bags so I’m not afraid to let it go on the night against Carslaw.”

Paisley’s Carslaw (22-5, 5 KOs) will be looking to mend previous shortcomings on Saturday night, as he contests for the British strap for a second time, having missed out the belt when losing to Brian Rose back in 2012, and he is 12/1 to stop Williams and lift the title this time out.

“I can’t wait to get to Williams and was over the moon when I heard the news I’d be fighting him for his Commonwealth belt and with the Vacant British title also on the line,” declared Carslaw.

“There’s no way I’m letting that British belt slip past me a second time after waiting over three years since the Rose fight, this time I’ll make sure the Lonsdale belt comes back home to Scotland with me.”

Evans stalking European crown again

Blackwood bruiser Craig Evans has another chance to secure the vacant WBO European lightweight strap as he faces Tom Stalker in a rematch of their controversial encounter at the same venue earlier this year.

The pair were involved in a gruelling 10-round war at the Manchester Arena in October, with a contentious knockdown of Stalker in the ninth being deemed a slip and the judges ultimately scoring the bout 96-94 to Evans, 97-93 to Stalker and 95-95.

Following the initial draw, St Joseph’s star Evans (14-1-1, 3 KOs) is 9/2 to stop his rival, and is adamant that he won their first meeting, claiming he will finish Stalker (10-1-2, 2 KOs) in the latter rounds this time around.

“I’ve watched it back plenty of times and still believe that I won,” stated the 26-year-old, whose opponent is 7/2 for a KO victory.

“I can see me stopping him late..”

“It was a great fight and the fans will get to see us go at it again, but this time it will have a different ending with me taking the title back to Wales.

“My preparations will be spot on and I ideally I don’t want to let it go the judges’ again so I can see me stopping him late.”

Chorley’s talented super-lightweight Jack Catterall (13-0, 8 KOs) will be gunning for further early success in his short but sweet career, as the undefeated prospect is a huge odds-on 1/100 front-runner to overcome 16/1 shot Noe Nunez (15-2-1, 12 KOs). Meanwhile, Paul Butler (19-1, 10 KOs) contests Silvio Olteanu (15-8-1, 6 KOs) for the WBO European super-flyweight title and is 10/1 to suffer a shock defeat on an action-packed night in Manchester.

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Coral’s top tip: With plenty of action this Saturday night, get on an acca featuring Mitchell Smith, Liam Williams, Craig Evans, Jack Catterall, Paul Butler and Andy Lee all to triumph.