Stephen Smith vs Devis Boschiero: Sky Sports boxing Panel predicts

Stephen Smith says it's win or bust in Saturday's IBF eliminator against Devis Boschiero. Which experts back him?

The Liverpudlian fights in front of his home crowd at the Olympia hoping to secure a shot at IBF world super-featherweight champion Jose Pedraza.

So what do those in the know think? Was Smith's only conqueror, Lee Selby, impressed when he fought him? Can Paul Smith stay objective? Let's find out...

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Lee Selby

Stephen Smith is a great fighter and I think beating him is still one of my best wins so far. He's up against a tough guy in Boschiero, who has fought for world and European titles and I think this is make and break for Smith. I wish him all the best.

I think Smith will win this fight and then go on win a world title as well. Smith has a great amateur pedigree.

I think Smith will win this fight and then go on to win a world title as well. Smith has a great amateur pedigree and when I boxed him he was unbeaten and looking good. I was an unknown quantity and boxed well to knock him out but he's a great fighter.

Boschiero has never been stopped and has only been beaten by a world champion and a European champion. Smith hits really hard and could get the stoppage but I'd lean more towards Smith on a points decision.

Glenn McCrory

I see this going well for Stephen. They want to get him a world title shot and Devis Boschiero provides a solid level of opposition, although I'm not sure he's still world level - he did well in his world title fight in Japan that time and he will certainly come to win, but I think Smith will be too good.

I think Devis Boschiero provides a solid level of opposition but I'm not sure he's still world level.

It's a great opportunity for Smith and I think he's going to seize it with both hands. I see him coming through a significant test from Boschiero and winning with a stoppage in around eight or nine.

Paul Smith

I've seen one or two clips of the Italian and and he looks decent enough but I know Stephen and especially Joe Gallagher will have gone through it meticulously.

I've seen one or two clips of the Italian and and he looks decent enough but I know Stephen and especially Joe Gallagher will have gone through it meticulously.

I am obviously going to side with my brother but I am going to be honest and back Stephen to stop Boschiero late on. Stephen is relentless and doesn't hold back and he is going to leave it all in the ring, so I think it could catch up with the Italian late on.

Jim Watt

Boschiero is supposed to be a tough, experienced fighter that has only lost to good fighters but I think Smith needs this, because this means something to him. He's been hanging around waiting for this chance, so he'll be champing at the bit.

Smith knows this is probably the one chance he's got, so we should see the best out of him.

Smith knows this is probably the one chance he's got, so we should see the best of him and I don't think Boschiero travels well, so with the Liverpool crowd behind him, I can see Smith winning on points.

Jamie Moore

Boschiero is a dangerous opponent and it's going to be very difficult for Smith to get him out of there inside the distance. His losses have only been points defeats and he only lost that world title shot at Takahiro Ao on a split decision - although that was back in 2011.

I think Boschiero is a dangerous opponent and it's going to be very difficult for Smith to get him out of there inside the distance.

I can see this being a tough fight for Smith but it's one that I see him coming through. I think Smith will win on points by a comfortable margin.

Johnny Nelson

Since that Lee Selby fight this is the best opponent Stephen's faced and although Boschiero is good, we will see the best we've seen of Swifty. He has been boxing within himself but he can't do that here.

Since that Lee Selby fight this is the best opponent Stephen's faced and although Boschiero is good, we will see the best we've seen of Swifty.

He boxes well and he boxes smart and from what I've been hearing in the gym he is in the best shape of his career, so I can only see one outcome. Smith will set up that world title shot, with a points - maybe wide - win.