THE two best bantamweights in Britain clash for the first time at Everton Park tonight - despite the fact that they live on either side of the River Mersey.
Wirral's Nick McDonald has ruled the domestic 54kg division for almost three years, but this season he faces his biggest threat.
Stephen Smith, who recently turned 19, handed in his junior vest and immediately set his sights on McDonald's position at the top.
In some quarters the Rotunda youngster is already there after back-to-back wins over the USA - one as a fresh-faced 17-year-old - and cruising through the National Box-offs in December.
But all were won in McDonald's absence and only tonight will the pair finally prove who is the best in the country.
McDonald, so often hampered by injuries, said: "I'm 100% and really looking forward to it. It's the match everyone wants to see and I can't wait."
'Swifty' added: "I thought I'd get him last season, then in the Box-offs, but it's just not happened. I've proved myself to be the number one in competition over the past 12 months, but people are still asking 'can you beat McDonald?'. Tonight I get that chance.
"I was disappointed with my performance last week, but I will learn from it and come back stronger. I've been waiting for this."
Including Smith, tonight's bill is something of a renaissance for the Rotunda club - who boast boxers in all six regional finals.
Ray Jockins will start as favourite for his featherweight bout with Mick Robinson of Tower Hill, who had to dig deep to come through last weekend.
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