THE British Boxing Board of Control have said that they expect Accrington super middleweight Luke Blackledge’s British title fight with Paul Smith to go ahead as planned on December 7.

The bout has been in doubt because Smith announced he was terminating his deal with promoter Frank Warren, who had arranged the Blackledge fight at the Liverpool Echo Arena.

But Warren challenged Smith's stance and the board have said that the bout should still go ahead at the date and venue already arranged.