Liam Smith and Anthony Fowler have both made weight for their superb super-welterweight encounter. The Liverpool rivals meet in a brilliant contest that could have massive implications for both the winner and loser.
Smith has his focus firmly set on returning to world level but knows such aspirations will likely be gone forever if he falls short against his local counterpart. Fowler, who himself wants to compete on the biggest stage available in boxing, knows success against Smith will see him gate-crash the world rankings.
Fowler hit the scales at 153 ¾ lbs before Smith joined him on stage weighing 154lbs. Both combatants were in impressive shape and the signs of a hard training camp was visible in both. The next time both men come face to face will be under the lights at the M&S Bank Arena on Saturday night.
Another big development at Liverpool’s Hilton was Shannon Courtenay failing to make weight ahead of her world title defence against Jamie Mitchell. 2 ½ lbs over the required limit, Courtenay was told she had two hours to remove the excess weight, or she will be stripped of her WBA belt.