By Elliot Foster

Stephen Smith could be forced to wait a little longer before his date with destiny.

The Liverpool super featherweight, 30, is set to take on José Pedraza (21-0, 12 KOs) for the IBF super featherweight world title.

Smith (23-1, 13 KOs) had been handed the date of March 26, with the location named as New York City, for his challenge against the undefeated Puerto Rican champion.

But despite beating Devis Boschiero of Italy in a final eliminator last September in his home city to secure the mandatory position for his 26-year-old foe, ‘Swifty’ might have to hold off after it was revealed that a change in the date for the showdown had been requested.

Promoter Eddie Hearn, who represents Smith and is head of Matchroom Boxing, confirmed the news to Kugan Cassius of iFL TV, saying: “We were due to fight to fight on March 26 and they’ve asked for a change of that date.

“It looks like either April 9 or April 16 now in America, [but] we’re just waiting for a final call from Lou DiBella.

“I would guess that it will be confirmed in the next 48 hours.”

And Smith echoed his promoter’s sentiments, telling Boxing Scene, briefly, that there is “nothing concrete yet” regarding the date change and that we will be alerted as and when.