Ben Smith has set himself the target of earning his first professional stoppage when he fights Fonz Alexander in London’s iconic Copper Box on April 30.

It will be Smith’s third fight since turning professional in 2015 and he heads into the bout with a 100 per cent record.

Those victories, against Kristian Laight and Dan Carr, have both come by way of a points decision and Smith is now eager to get a stoppage against an opponent he believes will provide him with a test.

“Fonz Alexander is a very, very tough fighter and it will be another good learning fight for me. I want to get the stoppage because he does open up and gives you chances to get shots in,” explained Smith.

“He doesn’t get stopped too much though, so it will be a tough challenge for me to do that, but it is what I want to do.

“It is good to get rounds under your belt, but I have had loads of amateur fights to get those rounds and it would be good to stoke the atmosphere and to get the stoppage on a big occasion.”

While Smith is confident of getting a coveted first stoppage against Alexander, he is aware the 28-year-old will offer him the biggest challenge of his career to date.

The super-lightweight, who is originally from Wycombe, comfortably won his first two fights and feels he will be able to repeat the success against Alexander.

Alexander’s record, while unspectacular, features only three stoppages in his 30 defeats and Smith says he is prepared to go the distance.

“He is a tough orthodox boxer and is a bit heavier than me. I have moved up two pounds, but that is not an issue at this stage of my career,” Smith said.

“I will have to deal with him throwing a lot of punches, a bit like against Dan Carr, he is a bit stronger and fitter though, so it will be a tougher fight.

“I would rather fight people who can go the distance rather than fight someone who I will be able to knock out in the first round because you don’t learn anything that way.”

The bout was set to be on the undercard for Billy Joe Saunders first WBO middleweight title defence until the Welwyn Garden City boxer injured his left hand while sparring.

Smith believes the night still represents a watershed moment in his fledgling career though, and is relishing the thought of fighting at the Copper Box.

He said: “I know Billy Joe isn’t fighting anymore, but it is still a big arena and will be something special, a definite first for me.

“Ticket sales are going through the roof, so it is going to be a great atmosphere and I can’t wait to get in there.

“I think [the size of] the arena will sink in when I walk towards the ring. I can’t wait for it and I want to go out there and get the business done.”