Liam Smith close to agreement over Liam Williams bout

Smith further enhanced his reputation with a resilient performance when losing his title to Mexico's Saul Alvarez in September, but is prepared to fight promising Welshman Williams on April 8 instead of returning against a more beatable opponent.

Press Association Sport understands an agreement is expected to be reached in the coming days to confirm the biggest fight of 24-year-old Williams' career, and perhaps one of Britain's best potential match-ups outside of the heavyweight division.

Williams, the Boxing Writers' Young Fighter of the Year for 2016, has long been considered a future world champion, while long-term rival Smith, 28, will hope to regain a world title later this year, but in defeat would likely cede that opportunity to Williams.

It is also understood that Billy Joe Saunders - who earlier on Wednesday confirmed his new trainer is to be Adam Booth - is preparing to make the second defence of his WBO middleweight title on the same bill.

Similarly Terry Flanagan, the WBO lightweight champion, is also in line to make the fifth defence of his title in his latest attempt to establish himself as the finest fighter in the 135lb division. Further down the bill, the exciting heavyweight Daniel Dubois, 19, is expected to make his professional debut.