No ifs, no buts, it’s going to be a fantastic rematch

INFLUENTIAL British boxing promoter is returning to Newcastle’s Metro Radio Arena, hosting a huge rematch between Liam Smith and Liam Williams topping the bill. Warren previously held shows on Tyneside featuring stars such as Ricky Hatton, Joe Calzaghe and Prince Naseem Hamed, and will return for another top show on October 28. While the hotly anticipated domestic rematch between North West rivals Smith and Williams will top the bill, Warren has also confirmed that West Rainton super bantamweight British champion Thomas Ward will defend his Lord Lonsdale strap for the first time, while Teessider Josh Leather will battle Wearsider Glenn Foot at super lightweight.

The Smith-Williams bout is a major coup for the city, and is yet more proof that boxing in the region is once again on the rise.

The Tyneside show is titled ‘No Ifs, No Buts’, referring to the controversial ending the first time Smith and Williams met back in April.

Manchester’s Williams had been ahead on the scorecards and had shocked many in the early rounds of the bout but Merseysider Smith started to come back into the fight just as Williams received a fight-ending cut.

With the referee controversially deciding not to call the fight off, Williams’ corner were forced to pull their fighter out at the end of the ninth in what was an unsatisfying end to a enthralling battle.

Smith won the interim WBO World Super Welterweight title in the process, but had the referee ended the fight and took it the scorecards due to the accidental headbutt then Williams would have been the victor, with the Manchester man ahead on all three scorecards by one point at the time of the stoppage. Credit to both, they agreed to settle the score in the ring and Warren confirmed, with neither willing to concede home advantage, that Newcastle’s Metro Radio Arena has been chosen as host.

Announcing the card, which will be televised on BT Sport and Warren’s BoxNation TV, Warren wrote on Twitter: “The fight lands in Newcastle after neither man was willing to concede home advantage after their thrilling first encounter back in April.

“I’m delighted to bring this huge rematch to Newcastle which is a city with a rich tradition of big fight nights.”