Smith also insists that his training camp has gone to plan and will be 100% when the bell goes tomorrow.
Despite having fought 28 times as a pro, twice as many as the champion, Smith has never headlined a card of this size but believes that familiarity and home comforts have been the key to his training camp.
Smith, 27, countered: “I’ve not been bothering with training camps and caravans and all that palaver. I have been staying in my own place every day.
“I’ve not changed anything for this fight. He’s been doing things differently to fight me, but I’ve not changed my routine.”
Promoter Frank Warren failed to hide his excitement yesterday and is clearly delighted that this derby day title match-up is, what he hopes, the first of many big shows he stages at the city’s new arena.
He buzzed: “It’s a brilliant main event no getting away from it. It’s got all the ingredients of a special fight.
“You also have to remember that these guys are under a lot of pressure here. This is a massive show in their home town and the attention they are under is incredible.
“And regardless of who is the bigger puncher or the better boxer when it comes down to it I believe the winner will be the fighter who is mentally stronger.”
Early reports suggest a crowd in excess of 5,000 could file through the arena doors tomorrow, although a 6,000 capacity sell-out isn’t out of the question.
Asked for their final fight predictions Quigley finished: “I really don’t care how I win to be honest. As long as I win. As long as I take the belt home with me I will be happy.”
Challenger Smith adding: “I believe I’ll win by knockout. I’ll stop him.”
Tickets for tomorrow’s show are still available from the box office priced from £30 to £200. For more details visit the ECHO Arena box office, online at www.echoarena.com or call 08448000400.
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