Stephen Smith will head to New York for his first world title fight

Stephen Smith will challenge Jose Pedraza for his IBF super-featherweight crown in the spring.

Smith will head to New York to tackle undefeated Puerto Rican Pedraza on March 26 in his first world title fight.

Purse bids for the fight were scheduled for Tuesday but were then cancelled when a deal was struck between both camps.

Stephen Smith (second from left) alongside brothers (left to right) Liam, Callum and Paul

The 30-year-old, who is one of four fighting Liverpudlian siblings, will bid to emulate younger brother Liam and become the family's second world champion.

Smith secured mandatory status to Pedraza's belt when he stopped Devis Boschiero in six rounds at Liverpool's Olympia in September.

'Swifty' has won 23 of his 24 fights, 13 inside the distance, with his sole defeat coming via an eighth-round stoppage to Lee Selby four years ago.

Pedraza has rattled off 21 straight wins and will be making the second defence of the title after clinging on to the belt with a split decision over Edner Cherry in October.

Liam Smith was crowned WBO super-welterweight champion in October, while big brother Paul suffered back-to-back points defeats when he challenged Arthur Abraham for his WBO super-middleweight crown.

Callum Smith, the youngest Smith siblings, is closing on a title shot against Badou Jack after he blew away fellow Liverpudlian Rocky Fielding in the first round to claim the British super-middleweight belt in November.