Joshua vs Molina: Luke Blackledge vows to end Callum Smith's world title dreams
Tuesday 6 December 2016 08:08, UK
Luke Blackledge has vowed to destroy Callum Smith's world title dreams when the pair meet on the undercard of Anthony Joshua's IBF title defence against Eric Molina on Saturday.
Blackledge (22-2-2-KO7) challenges undefeated Liverpool star Smith for his British super middleweight title at the Manchester Arena, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
Smith will put his title on the line for the first time after dismissing local rival Rocky Fielding in one round last November.
The 26-year-old then blew away Hadillah Mohoumadi in the opening round in April to pick up the European title and secure mandatory status to the WBC belt before stopping Norbert Nemesapati in his last fight in September.
Blackledge, however, has promised to derail Smith's world title plans by handing 'Mundo' his first professional defeat after 21 straight wins.
"I was not willing to miss out on this opportunity, nothing was going to stop me," said Blackledge.
"Callum is supposed to be fighting the winner of Badou Jack vs. James DeGale for the IBF and WBC world titles - he has to get past me first but he won't. I'm going to take his British title and take his world title shot.
"I do see weaknesses in Callum which I don't want to go in to, but he is a class fighter you can't deny that. He has had some hot performances against Rocky Fielding and Hadillah Mohoumadi don't get me wrong - but I'm not going to avoid him because he is Callum Smith the next future superstar and he's unbeaten.
"I'm a fighter, I want his belts and his position. He's one of the best fighter's in the world, number four in the world at super-middleweight and number one in the WBC.
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"I'm buzzing and I have absolutely everything to gain, he has everything to lose so I am dangerous to him. This is exactly what I'm in boxing for to push and test myself against the very best and Callum is that."
Blackledge and Smith clash as part of a huge night of action in Manchester as Joshua defends his IBF world heavyweight title against Molina.
Dillian Whyte faces bitter London rival Dereck Chisora in an official eliminator for the WBC heavyweight title and Scott Quigg returns to action after breaking his jaw in a unification fight with Carl Frampton against Jose Cayetano for the vacant WBA international Featherweight title.
Kal Yafai can become Birmingham's first world champion but the unbeaten 27 year old faces a tough task against WBA super-flyweight title against Luis Concepcion.
Irish amateur sensation Katie Taylor boxes for the second time in the paid ranks against Viviane Obenau after stopping Karina Koinska in three rounds last month.
Heavyweights Luis Ortiz and Dave Allen also clash and Hosea Burton will defend his British Light-heavyweight title against Frank Buglioni.
Watch Callum Smith v Luke Blackledge on the undercard of Joshua v Molina, on December 10, live on Sky Sports Box Office. Book the event via your Sky remote or online here.
