Smith ready to fight Commonwealth champion Simpson

Smith had a hugely successful amateur career with England

Aintree featherweight Stephen Smith believes he will face Commonwealth champion John Simpson at just the right stage of his development.

The two men are due to face each other for the Scotsman's title, with 3 July the most likely date and Liverpool or Glasgow the rumoured venue.

"I think he's made for me," Smith told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"All the hard fights he's had, he's taken a lot of big shots. They will catch up with him in the end."

Following a glittering amateur career, which saw him take gold at the Commonwealth Games in 2006, Smith has chalked up 10 wins from 10 in the professional ranks.

Smith respects Simpson for the top-level fighter and seasoned campaigner that he is, but is adamant he is ready to fight for his first professional title.

I think it makes it a better win for myself when I'm beating someone who I believe could be the best in Europe

Stephen Smith

"I always said I'd move quickly, I didn't hang around in the amateurs that long and end up with almost 150 fights just to turn around and be just another regular professional, boxing journeyman.

"I've seen a lot of John Simpson's fights and I have the upmost respect for him but everyone's reign comes to an end, he could have moved on and went for the European title and I think he'd have won that European title," said Smith.

"I think it makes it a better win for myself when I'm beating someone who I believe could be the best in Europe."

Smith's older brother Paul is the reigning British super-middleweight Champion and he says seeing his brother achieve success has boosted his own belief.

"It's made it realistic [winning a title] for me. You can't pick a newspaper up without people calling him out," said Smith. "Paul doesn't seem to get involved but I love it."

Meanwhile, the purse bids for Paul Smith's British super-middleweight title defence against European Champion Brian Magee have been put back by one month due to ongoing negotiations.

The original deadline for the bids had been 12 May.