TARIQ Quaddus is set to return Bolton today for a second sparring session with hot super-middleweight prospect Callum Smith.

The Swindon-based super-middleweight spent one day last week at Joe Gallagher’s gym working with the reigning English and WBC International champion.

And Quaddus’ trainer Richard Farnan said that his fighter was able to hold his own against one of the most savage body punchers in business.

With Smith preparing to face Cape Verde-born American Vladine Biose on July 12, Quaddus and Farnan are heading north again today.

“Tariq can learn a helluva lot from sparring with Callum,” Farnan said. “Callum is so naturally gifted and it took Tariq a couple of rounds to warm into it, but in the final few rounds he was able to relax get some of his shots off and hold his own.”

The 23-year-old, according to Farnan, was also able to withstand the thunderous left hook to the body that have brought the Scouser nine early finishes from his 11 fights.

“When Callum throws that left hook you can just hear the thud,” Farnan said. “But Tariq took them - it was a hard physical battle, some really good competitive sparring.

“With Callum being six foot four he is able to get so much leverage into his shots, he also has a big reach advantage over Tariq.

“But I was able to film some of the sparring and we have watched it back and we are pleased with how it went.”

Farnan is also hoping to get Quaddus one more bout before the end of the domestic season next month.

The 23-year-old, who improved his record to five wins with only one loss following his points success over Jamie Ambler at the start of June, has moved into the top 25 super-middleweights in the country.

“We came close to getting Tariq a fight out in Greece on July 6,” Farnan said. “We were looking all set to go, but once they saw a video of Tariq they decided to go another way.

“I’d like to have one more fight before the end of July, but it might not happen.

“These sparring sessions Tariq is getting with Callum, and he is also going to do some with Chris Eubank junior, are as good as any fight.”