By Nick Kelly

The simmering tension between Tony Dodson (24-5-1) and Paul Smith (28-1) finally erupted as the pair came head to head at the press conference held in Liverpool.  Security had to settle the Scouse super-middleweights as they tried to start the fight 48 hours ahead of schedule as the bitter rivals struggled to control themselves.

Billed as the ‘Pride of Merseyside’ the British super-middleweight title will be on the line and also, as promoter Frank Warren admitted, a potential shot at European champion Brian Magee.

“I’ve been talking to Brian Magee’s father and he’s quite interested,” said Warren.  “It’s a big carrot for both the guys, and the fact of the matter is that it’s another big fight.”

This is the third show to be held at Liverpool’s Echo Arena in a year and Warren said that there would definitely be more in the foreseeable future.  “We’d like to put [a potential fight with Magee] on back here in Liverpool.  It’s a hot bed of boxing, a lot of things are happening here; we’ve got the arena, we’ve got the fighters, we’ve got some great young talent and we want to continue doing big things here,” declared Warren.

The last fight at the arena, Smith vs Quigley, failed to live up to expectations but both fighters are hoping that it can match the excitement of Tony Quigley against Tony Dodson, held in the city last March.

“It’s easy to see it’s going to make a good fight, the two styles will gel, mine and Quigley’s didn’t gel,” said British champion Paul Smith.  “I don’t think people are being fair comparing my fight with Quigley and Tony’s fight with Quigley.  They’re two totally different fights, two totally different styles.  You can compare us all you want but they’re totally different tactics, this is a different gameplan.”

After losing to Tony Quigley, the 29-year-old Dodson has not boxed since but insists that ring rust will not hamper his chances.  “To be honest I think the 12 months rest has done more good than harm,” said the former English champion. 

“It was a really intense fight my last fight; I needed time to heal, for my eyes to heal.  The next day my body felt great but the cuts were serious and I’ve needed 12 months for them to heal.  I’ve had sufficient time now, and I’ve stayed in the gym, I’ve not neglected myself.  I’ve lived clean and well so in my mind it has been a plus rather than a negative.

“I expect the best Paul Smith on the night and he expects the best me and that’s the way it’s going to be,” he concluded.