“This is my world title fight," said Smith. "That’s why I’ve put a lot into my camp. I’ve flown sparring partners from the other side of the world over for this. I know what can come after this fight. If Mathieu Germain thinks I’m overlooking him or thinking too far ahead then he’s wrong. He’s my world title fight.
 
“Mathieu is 11 with the IBF and he’s a solid opponent. I’m not going in there relaxed. I’m going in there switched on. We’ll see what his tactics are from the first bell. We’ll work it from there. He will be coming to win but I’ll be getting the job done - he’s in the way of some huge nights for me.

"I’m expecting a tougher fight, I expected more from my last fight, but it’s boxing, you get caught in the first round or the 12th round on the chin, and it’s game over. I go into every fight expecting it to go 12 rounds, and expect my opponents to be the same. You can expect the best of me on Saturday."

Smith kicked off the year in style by wiping out Frenchman Walid Ouizza in one round at Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena to claim the vacant EBU European title in January. The Sheffield Wednesday supporter wants to remain as active as possible ahead of career-defining fights in the 140 lbs division. 

“The guy in front of me right now is Mathieu and there’s no room for hiccups for me. I know going into this fight that I need a world title performance. That’s why we’re back in my hometown, I’m looking to put on a big performance to put me in good stead going into those big fights.

"It’s not about picking easy opponents, Mathieu is a solid fighter, we’re picking these fights because he’s going to bring a lot to the table before these big fights, so no stone has been left unturned and I’m not overlooking him one bit, I’m going to go in there and prove why I am mandatory for the WBC world title."

Smith vs. Germain tops a big night of action in Sheffield, former IBF featherweight world champion Josh Warrington (34-4-1, 8 KOs) returns to action against India's Asad Asif Khan (19-6-1, 5 KOs) in a ten-round super-featherweight contest, Birmingham's Ryan Kelly (19-5-1, 8 KOs) faces Belfast's Caomhin Agyarko (16-0, 7 KOs) for the WBA Continental super-welterweight title, Armthorpe Lightweight Josh Padley (15-1, 4 KO) takes on Serbia's undefeated Marco Cvetanovic (13-0, 6 KOs) for the WBA International title, Aldershot super-featherweight Giorgio Visioli (6-0, 5 KOs) steps up against Birmingham's Kane Baker (19-11-2, 1 KO), Newham middleweight prospect Leli Buttigieg (7-0, 1 KO) meets Chatham's Grant Dennis (19-10, 3 KOs) over six rounds and Wigan lightweight Joe Howarth (11-1, 4 KOs) kicks off the Before The Bell against Mexico's Mario Valenzuela Portillo (8-6-2, 2 KOs). 

 

Watch three incredible fight nights in one week only on DAZN

Fight fans are in for a treat at the end of April / start of May, with three amazing fight cards within seven days - and  DAZN PPV  is the only place to watch them all.

• April 26:  Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn
• May 2:  Ryan Garcia vs Rolly Romero; Devin Haney vs Jose Ramirez; Teofimo Lopez vs Arnold Barboza Jr.
• May 3:  Canelo Alvarez vs William Scull

Arch rivals Eubank Jr and Benn finally go head-to-head to start the exhilarating week, with PPV prices at £21.99 in the UK; $24.99 in the US; €24.99 in Europe.

Garcia vs. Romero and Canelo vs. Scull fight nights follow, which will both be exclusively on DAZN. These two PPV's prices are yet to be confirmed.