Eddie Hearn and his Matchroom Boxing promotion are at the Olympia in Liverpool this Saturday with a card headlined by a pair of title eliminator bouts. The main fights are set to air on SKY in the United Kingdom, and the live card features 7 fights in all. Three of the bouts are already up at the sport books, though none have an over/under listed. At Super Featherweight, Stephen Smith (22-1) faces Devis Boschiero (37-3-1) in a 12 round bout considered an “eliminator” for the IBF World title held by Puerto Rico’s undefeated Jose Pedraza. Right now Smith is a big (-460) favorite over Boschiero, who returns at (+365). Smith is from a fighting family, as brother’s Paul Smith, Callum Smith and Liam Smith are all professional boxers who are looking to impact the world title picture. Boschiero held the European Super Featherweight title through three title defenses before dropping the belt in February of 2014, and he is trying to work his way into the title picture. Originally there was a Lightweight 12 round bout where veteran Gary Buckland (30-6) was a (+220) underdog to Scott Cardle , who had recently won the British Lightweight title and was returning at (-260). That match has apaprently been scrapped, as Buckland is now scheduled to fightin an 8 round bout against Sean Dodd (9-1) a 31 year old journeyman who in Buckland is facing an opponent with a winning record for only the 3rd time in his career. At Super Lightweight, undefeated prospect Bradley Saunders (12-0) is scheduled for 8 rounds against Renald Garrido. The books have installed Garrido as a big ( +2000) underdog, with Saunders favored at (-6000). Saunders is a former 2008 Olympian who brings a solid amateur background with him, but he spent time under investigation for allegedly dealing cocaine and did not turn professional until 2012. This is just ring time for Saunders, as Gallido is a true journeyman who has so far gone (1-3) in 2015. Also this Saturday at the Rosvalla Arena in Nykoping, Sweden sees undefeated (22-0) Light Heavyweight Erik Skoglund a big-time (-5100) favorite over rival Oleksandr Cherviak (15-4-1), who returns at (+1700). The match is the first title defense for Skoglund, who is the IBF Inter-Continental titleholder. Cherviak has not fought since last November, and he went (2-1) in 2014, losing a bid for regional titles against the experienced Robin Krasniqi (41-3).
