Callum Smith vs. Pawel Stepien | DAZN - 11 March 2023

[Ruthless-RKO]

Press Release

On March 11, The WBC’s No.1 ranked Light-Heavyweight contender Callum Smith (29-1, 21 KOs) returns home to face undefeated Pole Pawel Stepien (18-0-1, 12 KOs) at the M&S Bank Arena as he looks to secure a showdown with unified WBC, WBO and IBF ruler Artur Beterbiev later in the year.

The undercard sees Australia’s WBO Global Super-Lightweight Champion Liam Paro (23-0, 14 KOs) put his title on the line against local favorite Robbie Davies Jr (23-3, 15 KOs) following his sensational first-round KO win over fellow Aussie Brock Jarvis last October.

Hot prospects Diego Pacheco (17-0, 14 KOs) fights in the UK for the first time as faces another step up against Little Lever’s all-action Super-Middleweight Jack Cullen (21-3-1, 9 KOs).

Full undercard details to follow.

And also announced for March 18, Matchroom’s first NXTGEN card of the year at the Utilita Arena Newcastle features some of the very best prospects in the North East looking to take the next steps in their promising careers.

Former Team GB standout Cyrus Pattinson (5-0, 3 KOs) faces his toughest test so far in the professional ranks against Wales’ former British Welterweight Champion Chris Jenkins (23-6-3, 8 KOs) while Tokyo 2020 Olympic Silver Medallist turned Welterweight prospect Pat McCormack (3-0, 2 KOs) looks to wow his home crowd against Italy’s Dario Socci (15-7-2, 6 KOs) in his first scheduled eight-round contest.

Also on the card, Birmingham’s Solomon Dacres (5-0, 1 KO) squares off with Newcastle’s Robert Ismay (11-0, 4 KOs) for the English Heavyweight Title.

[keithmoonhangover]

Pawel Stepien. An uninspiring opponent

He's unbeaten and 33rd in the world according to BoxRec. Not bad for a marking time fight.

[margaret thatcher]

solid card

[Ruthless-RKO]

solid card

The Pattinson fight below is the week after on the NXTGEN card.

[olij999]

Pawel Stepien. An uninspiring opponent

He's unbeaten and 33rd in the world according to BoxRec. Not bad for a marking time fight.

Two fights ago, he squeaked past Ezequiel Osvaldo Maderna, the chap who just knocked out Karol Itauma, with a very close MD at home in Poland. Rather gives a sense of his level - no-one would be suggesting Maderna was a good opponent for Smith. This will be all done inside three rounds.

[cormack]

Callum taking a zero risk fight here which tbf I dont blame him at his career stage and given how close he is to a title fight with Beterbiev.

[ashall2]

2 decent undercard fights in Paro v Davies Jr and Pacheco v Cullen but you know they'll have Johnny Fisher chief support to keep the arena fuller for longer.

[keithmoonhangover]

Pawel Stepien. An uninspiring opponent

He's unbeaten and 33rd in the world according to BoxRec. Not bad for a marking time fight.

Two fights ago, he squeaked past Ezequiel Osvaldo Maderna, the chap who just knocked out Karol Itauma, with a very close MD at home in Poland. Rather gives a sense of his level - no-one would be suggesting Maderna was a good opponent for Smith. This will be all done inside three rounds.

It's a marking time fight. What do you expect? King Kong's big brother?

[THEBUTCH]

It's a good enough opponent for Smith, rather than stay inactive....but the match itself doesn't excite

[Ruthless-RKO]

[margaret thatcher]

is that actually pawel stepien, looks like a different guy to the one ive seen lol

[Ruthless-RKO]

[gregregegg]

Paro vs Davis should be the headliner.

Smith in a fuking joke of a fight vs a noone.

Johnny fisher might have to save the day hahah.

[tony1234]

How many of Fisher's support will want to travel to Liverpool ? One thing going to the O2 for a night out it's another going up to Liverpool

[mickey1975]

How many of Fisher's support will want to travel to Liverpool ? One thing going to the O2 for a night out it's another going up to Liverpool

A lot went to Sheffield.

[olij999]

He's unbeaten and 33rd in the world according to BoxRec. Not bad for a marking time fight.

Two fights ago, he squeaked past Ezequiel Osvaldo Maderna, the chap who just knocked out Karol Itauma, with a very close MD at home in Poland. Rather gives a sense of his level - no-one would be suggesting Maderna was a good opponent for Smith. This will be all done inside three rounds.

It's a marking time fight. What do you expect? King Kong's big brother?

No, quite obviously. I expected a poor match in the circumstances, and hey presto, it's a poor match. Calling it "not bad" is distinctly overrating it. I've no problem with Smith having a warm-up after time out, but it's not a worthy main event. As for "unbeaten", when was that ever an indicator of quality? "33rd in the world according to BoxRec" just shows the ranking formula is far from perfect.

[keithmoonhangover]

Two fights ago, he squeaked past Ezequiel Osvaldo Maderna, the chap who just knocked out Karol Itauma, with a very close MD at home in Poland. Rather gives a sense of his level - no-one would be suggesting Maderna was a good opponent for Smith. This will be all done inside three rounds.

It's a marking time fight. What do you expect? King Kong's big brother?

No, quite obviously. I expected a poor match in the circumstances, and hey presto, it's a poor match. Calling it "not bad" is distinctly overrating it. I've no problem with Smith having a warm-up after time out, but it's not a worthy main event. As for "unbeaten", when was that ever an indicator of quality? "33rd in the world according to BoxRec" just shows the ranking formula is far from perfect.

You would rather he fought someone ranked lower with more losses?

[olij999]

It's a marking time fight. What do you expect? King Kong's big brother?

No, quite obviously. I expected a poor match in the circumstances, and hey presto, it's a poor match. Calling it "not bad" is distinctly overrating it. I've no problem with Smith having a warm-up after time out, but it's not a worthy main event. As for "unbeaten", when was that ever an indicator of quality? "33rd in the world according to BoxRec" just shows the ranking formula is far from perfect.

You would rather he fought someone ranked lower with more losses?

Given that he is main event on DAZN, not in an undercard warm-up, I'd rather he fought someone better, regardless of wins/losses on their record. Or Stepien would be fine if it was a supporting fight to a better main event.

[CaptainSpacerod]

No, quite obviously. I expected a poor match in the circumstances, and hey presto, it's a poor match. Calling it "not bad" is distinctly overrating it. I've no problem with Smith having a warm-up after time out, but it's not a worthy main event. As for "unbeaten", when was that ever an indicator of quality? "33rd in the world according to BoxRec" just shows the ranking formula is far from perfect.

Why’s he had time out ? Smith was a bona fide world class operator at 168 but at 175 he’s a nobody. If he was serious about making waves at 175 there are any number of really big domestic fights he could have had. People on here were going on and on about Yarde having done nothing to deserve a title shot at 175 - well Smith has done considerably less than Yarde has. He shouldn’t be anywhere near getting a shot at Beterbiev.

[olij999]

I see your point, although "nobody" is a bit harsh. But light-heavy is a pretty weak division when you get past Bivol and Beterbiev. Smith is already no.3, Bauderlique who he thrashed in four rounds is still no. 8, a creaking Jean Pascal is no. 6. Indeed, it's so strong that Smith's opponent, Pawel Stepien, isn't even the winner of the "highest ranked Polish light-heavyweight called Pawel" contest. This chap is - https://boxrec.com/en/box-pro/833901, with a big 10-1 record.

[watsupdoc87]

I see your point, although "nobody" is a bit harsh. But light-heavy is a pretty weak division when you get past Bivol and Beterbiev. Smith is already no.3, Bauderlique who he thrashed in four rounds is still no. 8, a creaking Jean Pascal is no. 6. Indeed, it's so strong that Smith's opponent, Pawel Stepien, isn't even the winner of the "highest ranked Polish light-heavyweight called Pawel" contest. This chap is - https://boxrec.com/en/box-pro/833901, with a big 10-1 record.

Why is this guy suspended from the polish bosing federation indefinitely?

[Ruthless-RKO]

Peter McGrail has signed with Matchroom.

Will debut on this card.

[maverick23]

Liam Paro is out of his fight with RDJ. Hopefully they’re able to get a decent replacement opponent.

[Ruthless-RKO]

According to reporter Ben Damon of Fox Sports, Paro withdrew after sustaining a facial fracture and is physically unable to move forward with the bout

[keithmoonhangover]

Why’s he had time out ?

He's been waiting for the politics to sort itself out with regards a final eliminator or title short.