Eddie Hearn says the huge October 9 card at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, live worldwide on DAZN, could be the biggest Saturday night card he’s done in years.
“This one I think has caught people’s attention, it’s got their imagination. Liverpool v Liverpool - big fight,” Hearn told The Sportsman.
“I think it's probably the best Saturday night card we've done for many years and certainly in Liverpool.”
Headlining the card is a mouthwatering all-Scouse clash between Liam Smith and Anthony Fowler but while Smith is the betting favourite, promoter Hearn believes that all the pressure will be on the former WBO light-middleweight’s shoulders.
“The pressure really is on “Beefy” [Smith]. I know he’s the favourite but he can’t afford to lose this fight, especially even personally, because he won’t want to be walking around here [Liverpool].
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Smith was confident that he can get the better of his local rival, saying, “I’m buzzing to be top of the bill again, on a card like this, against another Liverpool fighter who I can get my teeth into.
“I just think he’s [Anthony] competitive, I think he’s a good fighter for four rounds, but he reverts back to what he does. Once the fight goes past four rounds the fights only going one way.”
Fowler added, “This is a dream come true, I’ve always wanted to be the main event in Liverpool and for this to come true is great. I’m under no illusions I’m up against it, Liam is a top, world class fighter, he’s proven that.
“But I’m 30 years of age, I can’t sit around and wait for these fights that aren’t getting made so I need to roll the dice. I’m confident, I’m at my peak, my best and I’ll be at my best come fight night.”
The October card will also see the debut of featherweight Peter McGrail, who was in action for Team GB this summer at Tokyo 2020. Hearn was clearly impressed by the British representation in Japan and says that he’ll be fighting to sign all of them.
“I think the Olympians have been incredible. Some of them, my advice is just to get started straight away, particularly the ones that didn’t medal, because those guys are going to be doing their roadshow now.
“So, for someone like Peter McGrail, we spoke to him, we’ll talk about the promotional deal later, but for now, here’s the opportunity to jump on October 9, debut in front of 9,000 people in Liverpool, and start your journey.
“All of those guys, we want to sign them all and we’ll be in the hunt to do so.”
