Quiet opening from both fighters but when Abraham feathers the accelerator, he usually gets through with at least one shot. Good shot to the body from Smith and that hurt Abraham, that was a doozy. Abraham didn't like that at all and spends the next minute on the back foot doing nothing in particular. We'll see if that shot was a long-term reducer in the next round.

BBC scorecard: 58-57

Let's just take a moment to really appreciate the tuxedo Abraham wore on his ringwalk. Don't know why he's sweating so much - he's only wearing shorts. Just out of shot.

Image source, Reuters

This looks like a very different Abraham from last time, there is a certain steeliness about his work. Smith on the ropes again, Abraham unloading, but Smith covers up well again before coming back firing. Not much landed but the fans' reaction is likely to sway the judges. Smith peppering the body and Abraham drops his gloves. Abraham gets a couple of big shots through but Smith is one plucky fella, still throwing. But chalk another one up for the German...

BBC scorecard: 49-47

Image source, Reuters

Lovely upper-cut cum jab from Abraham and Smith can't get through this high guard of the German. Abraham shakes Smith up with a combination and Smith's knees have gone a bit. Abraham looking the stronger man at the moment, backing Smith up, but the Scouser comes fighting back. Abraham has a relentless look about him and now he has Smith on the ropes. Smith covers up and comes firing back but misses. Not a good round for the challenger.

BBC scorecard: 39-38

The fight settling into a pattern now, with Smith trying to establish his jab in the early stages of the rounds and Abraham opening up in the later stages. Good left from Abraham, to the body, but Smith replies in kind. Abraham with a right-left combination and Smith misses with a wild left hook. Smith with a fine right to the body and it started to turn into a proper fight towards the end of that round.

BBC scorecard: 29-29

Image source, Getty Images

Smith finding only gloves before digging a left into the body, under Abraham's guard. Good right hand by Abraham but Smith stands up to it well. Abraham opens up towards the end of the round again and the home fighter probably did enough to take that one.

BBC scorecard: 19-19

Smith looks to back Abraham up early and the German doesn't do much in the early stages. Most of the punches being blocked, with Abraham employing a high guard, but Smith does get through with a thudding right to the body. Abraham springs into life with 40 seconds to go but Smith pirouettes off the ropes, only to get tagged by a left in the dying stages. Has to be Smith's round, on work-rate alone.

BBC scorecard: 9-10

Raul Caiz of the United States is the third man in the ring, introductions being made, we are almost ready to rumble in Berlin...

It would be nice to report that the British fans respected the German anthem. But they didn't, at least not all of them. Let's move on...

Remarkable scenes as Abraham enters the arena wearing a tuxedo and shorts, with bow tie, the lot. Stand by for a Chippendales-style de-robing manoeuvre... first it's the anthems...

Time for Arthur Abraham and he's got a real life band drumming and axing him into the ring. A rock life rock band. This could take a while...

Smith making his way to the ring now. Deacon Blue is his tune of choice, Real Gone Kid. Jam-packed at the O2 World Arena in Berlin, and it looks like a tremendous atmosphere - they watch their boxing differently in Germany, but there are plenty of Brits in attendance giving it bunches.

Image source, Getty Images

Smith making his way through the bowels of the stadium now, he'll be in the ring in a few minutes...

British super-middleweight George Groves in Berlin for Sky Sports: "Both fighters look in great condition. Abraham was in terrible condition for their first fight, but this time round he looks in good nick. Paul Smith looks chiselled and focused as ever.

"This is one of those fights where you think you know what to expect, but that's not the case at all. It will be very busy but can Abraham last 12 rounds? I'm not sure. Smith needs to jump on him straightaway, if you ask me."

The door, external Paul Smith must walk through in just under half an hour...

Image source, @MatchroomBoxing

Abraham is coming off the back of five straight wins, having been stopped in the fourth round by fellow German Robert Stieglitz in 2013. But he only just squeezed by Stieglitz when they met again last year and looked in iffy shape when he fought Smith. That said, he doesn't look iffy this time around.

Image source, Getty Images

Paul Smith to Sky Sports: "I'm a lot more confident. I've prepared just as well, if not better, than I did six months ago. I know what to expect now - it's no longer the unknown.

"I like nerves, whether or not that's a good or a bad thing. I should use them, but I have a lot less than I had last time. I'm 100% confident of the win. There's going to be a new champion tonight."

Image source, Getty Images

England football captain Wayne Rooney:, external Good luck to Paul Smith tonight. Hope you do it lad!

David Price to Sky Sports: "I got a few rounds under my belt then finished it off with the stoppage. Perfect, really. My opponent didn't come with too much attacking ambition but he's pretty solid. These days it's all about my patience, getting behind my jab and making the fight my own. Then unleashing the bombs.

"This is the perfect platform for me to make the next step. I'm coming home. Tyson Fury deserves a shot at the world title, but if he doesn't get it and he's looking for an alternative in the UK then the biggest fight in the country is me. Let's talk in six months."

Smith's promoter Eddie Hearn to Sky Sports: "Paul Smith has improved, he's confident. It's all about how hard he can work in these rounds, pinging Abraham's body. There were so many close rounds in the first fight. This is Smith's last-chance saloon, and this is a great setting. Everything is on the line tonight, every second of every round. He could change his life altogether tonight."