Gonzalez (18-0, 16 KOs) has not boxed since he stopped Rhonex Capuloy in the fourth round of their clash at Bangkok’s World Siam Stadium in September.

But he looks set to get his first fight of the year next month and The Ring understands he could face Smith on the undercard of the event topped by Moses Itauma’s showdown with Filip Hrgovic on August 29.

Gonzalez is No. 14 in the WBO’s featherweight rankings while Smith sits in the same spot with the organisation at lightweight. But the pair will bridge the gap for a firefight at London’s 02 Arena.

It has been a long road back to big time boxing for Smith, who had ballooned up to double his fighting weight after a stint away from the sport, which included two prison sentences.

He made a triumphant return in October under his old promoter Frank Warren, dropping Arnie Dawson en route to a decision victory at 02 Arena. However, that result was changed to a no contest after he tested positive for THC in a UKAD test.

Smith admitted he had used THC oil and CBD balm but had stopped eight days before the fight, which he had taken at short notice. He received a three-month ban which ran from December 13 until March 12.

And now he has the chance to secure the most significant victory of his career to date against Havana-born Gonzalez, who is now based in Dubai.

But the 27-year-old will arrive in London full of confidence having won his last 11 fights inside the distance.