PADDY Fitzpatrick admits that he is finding it tough to secure an opponent to be in opposite corner for Sam Smith next month.

The light-heavyweight prospect tops the bill at the Oasis Leisure Centre on November 26 in only his fourth professional contest.

However, the Ferndale Road-based trainer, who would like to have the 23-year-old former England amateur in a 10-round contest, says he is looking to find an opponent ranked in the top 20 of the UK on BoxRec.com to be in the opposite corner.

“It is difficult (matching Smith for November 26),” said Fitzpatrick. “Sniper (Smith) is now ranked 27th in the country after just three fights.

“So when you have him headlining a show, people want big money because there is a big risk.

“We want someone, ideally in the top 20, and that is why we said yes to Kelvin Young (who is retiring after his next fight) because he is ranked 17.

“That is not happening so we have all moved on, it is challenging to match Sniper – we are a month out from the show.

“Whoever Sniper faces, he will excite and people will want to see more of him.”

With Smith topping the show, stable-mate Luke Watkins is chief support while Kelvin Young makes his final appearance in the paid ranks and fellow Fitzpatrick-trained fighter Harry Webb will be making his debut.

“Harry has been with me since he was 17, he’s 20 now, and the commitment he has shown – he has taken himself away from his home in Devon to train with me – is fantastic,” Fitzpatrick added.

“Normally when I have fighters turn pro, I like them to be busy and start off in a six-rounder.

“Harry is still growing, so he won’t be as busy, he’ll probably fight three times a year and will start off in a four-round contest.

“So when he turns 23, when his strength develops, he will then have had six or seven fights and we can start moving him a long much quicker.”

The launch for the Talk is Cheap show, which is being staged by Neilson Boxing in association with King Kane Promotions, is this evening at the Oasis Leisure Centre (7.30pm).