Local Boxers Clash in Liverpool

British Super-Middleweight Champion Paul Smith enters into another Merseyside derby when he make the first defence of his title against Tony Dodson on Friday, March 12 at the Echo Arena. Smith won the title in October with a rugged points win over rival Tony Quigley and now takes on the Garston Warrior who previously held the title in 2003. It's the first Merseyside derby of the new decade and Smith believes it will be another glorious night in Liverpool. He said, "The city has been starved of big-time boxing in recent years, mainly due to the lack of a big arena, but now with the fabulous Echo Arena firmly established and with my promoter Frank Warren putting on the big shows it's going to herald a new era for boxing in Liverpool," "We have the talent coming through from the city now like my brother Stephen and Liam, plus Tony Bellew who is fantastic prospect, and lot's of kids in the amateurs," "The arena was packed out with 9,000 fans for my fight against Quigley and it was fantastic to walk into the ring in front of my own fans in my home city with such an electric atmosphere," "It's going to be a hard fight against Dodson, he's got plenty of experience against the top names in the domestic division so I'm not going to underestimate him," The card will also feature the best in Liverpool talent from the Warren's stable including hot-prospect Tony 'Bomber' Bellew in his first championship title contest, plus Paul's younger brothers Stephen and Liam Smith, and Joe Selkirk. Oldham hot-shot Ronnie 'The Razor' Heffron, this year's ABA light-welterweight champion, made his debut in Newcastle earlier this month with a second round TKO and will feature in a four-round contest.Completing the card will be Tobias Webb, nephew of former WBO World Crusierweight Champion Enzo Maccarinelli, from Swansea. Tickets are available from the Echo Arena Box Office on 0844 8000 400 or http://www.echoarena.com/