The highly anticipated World Boxing Super Series super middleweight tournament kicks off this Saturday night at the Echo Arena in Liverpool as Callum Smith (22-0) faces Erik Skoglund (24-0) in quarterfinal action. The match is set to air on ITV 4 in the United Kingdom.
Skoglund represents a bit of an unknown quantity. Undefeated at 26 years old, a win in this tournament would catapult him onto the world stage in a big way. Skoglund’s career has been carefully managed, and the native Swede is making his first fight outside of Scandinavia here. He owns a good win over Luke Blackledge, who he shares as a common opponent with Smith and he owns wins over veterans Glen Johnson and Lolenga Mock, but we are going to find out more about Erik Skoglund this weekend.
Smith is 27 years old and entering his prime. His story about being one of a quartet of brothers that all fight at a very high level is well documented, and with Callum, there is the feeling that his time is coming. Some are calling Smith the favorite to win the entire tournament, and in England, a showdown between Smith and WBSS #1 seed George Groves will be labeled “must see” viewing, but he will need to not get caught looking past Skoglund.
A second super middleweight bout on the card sees popular veteran Martin Murray (35-4-1) taking on Arman Torosyan (18-3-1) as Murray looks for his third win in a row. Murray took on George Groves, who coincidentally is the WBSS tournament’s #1 seed, in June of 2016 for his last loss and many were writing him off as nearing the end of his career. He should outclass Torosyan, who is a tough guy who has taken good fighters deep into fights.
The full fight card at the Echo Arena numbers eight bouts in all, check back later in the week to see if additional lines have popped up at the books.
World Boxing Super Series Q2 – Super Middleweight 12 rounds – Echo Arena – Liverpool, England
Erik Skoglund +1400
Callum Smith -2500
Super Middleweight 10 rounds – Echo Arena – Liverpool, England
Arman Torosyan +1275
Martin Murray -2875
