Paul Smith Jnr and Tony Quigley square up in Liverpool Football Club's trophy room at Anfield

British super-middleweight champion Tony Quigley says he is happy to be an "underdog" ahead of his first title defence against Paul Smith Jnr.

Quigley, 25, will face fellow Liverpool fighter Smith, 27, at the Echo Arena in their home city on 30 October.

"From what I can gather I'm not exactly the hot favourite for this one," he told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"It's good for me because being an underdog brings the best out of me, it always has."

Quigley took the title with a thrilling 12th round stoppage of fellow Liverpudlian Tony Dodson in March and he says that victory gives him belief ahead of his meeting with Smith.

"You have a look at the fighters I've fought in Liverpool over the years.

"I've never ever had the backing off anyone to beat them but still I've beat them," said Quigley

"It will bring the best out of me and the better the opponent the better I am and I know that for a fact because it has happened."

Paul Smith has been working towards this title opportunity for the last twelve months and will enter the ring as mandatory contender.

The Commonwealth Games silver medallist of 2002 has chalked up a record of 27 wins, 15 by knock-out and one defeat since turning professional in 2003.

He believes he is now ready to move into Championship class: "If it's not now then it's never going to be.

"I've finally got my chance, which I've waited patiently for. It killed me sitting there in March watching the two Tony's (Quigley and Dodson) fighting for the title," said Smith.

"I've waited my turn, I've got in the mandatory position and now it's my chance and I plan on taking it with two hands."

Smith is a noted puncher and much has been made of the power he possesses in the build up to his meeting with Quigley.

However, Smith is keen to point out he is too experienced to go looking for big shots.

"Its not going to be that simple, it's not as straightforward as people think really," said Smith. "I've had double the fights and I have double the experience.

"I did a lot more as an amateur, he said he was going to go back to his amateur days, my last two amateur fights were against Andre Dirrell and Jean Pascal."

Quigley is more than aware of Smith's power but says it doesn't phase him.

"I know Paul hits hard, I don't really think I get the credit for how hard I hit.

"If we can both match each other for power and we both match each other for taking it, it's who wants it more?" said Quigley.

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