Stephen Smith to challenge world champion Jose Pedraza on April 16
Friday 4 March 2016 16:13, UK
Stephen Smith will challenge IBF world super-featherweight champion Jose Pedraza in the United States on April 16.
The Liverpudlian (23-1-KO13) will travel to Foxwoods, Connecticut to face the Puerto Rican (21-0-KO12) after American promoter Lou DiBella won an uncontested purse bid.
Matchroom's Eddie Hearn, who declined to enter Thursday's bidding process having already agreed a deal with DiBella, told Sky Sports: "I'm relieved to finally get this done.
"It's been a mess. We completed our deal on Tuesday but I understand they had a problem on their end with Pedraza.
"Now we are set for April 16 and Stephen can focus fully on the fight. It's a tough fight, I see it as a 50-50 but one I'm very confident Stephen will win."
Pedraza won the vacant title in June 2015 when he outpointed Andrey Klimov on the undercard of Deontay Wilder's world heavyweight title defence against Eric Molina in Alabama, and has since defended it against Edner Cherry via split decision.
The 30-year-old Smith, whose sole career defeat came at the hands of current IBF featherweight king Lee Selby, won the shot by stopping Devis Boschiero in the sixth round at Liverpool's Olympia in September 2015.
One of four boxing brothers who have all held British titles, Smith is hoping to join younger brother Liam in becoming a world champion; 'Beefy' currently holds the WBO world super-welterweight title.
