Exclusive: Callum Smith not interested in 'tick over fights', only wants world titles
- Joe Hewlett
- 11 May 2022
Callum Smith is number one with the WBC in the light heavyweight rankings but will have to wait for another shot of world glory.
'Mundo' is hoping to become a two-division world champion and is not interested in any 'tick over fights' according to his brother Stephen Smith.
Callum Smith previously reigned at super middleweight before a first career defeat to Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez in December 2020.
The 32-year-old has fought just once since then, producing a brutal knockout of Lenin Castillo in September.
As it stands, he is in a position to challenge the WBC titleholder at 175lbs next - and that will be the winner of the unification between Artur Beterbiev and Joe Smith Jr in June.
However, with Dmitry Bivol retaining his WBA strap against Canelo on Cinco de Mayo weekend, the Russian may be in line to fight Beterbiev or Smith next in an undisputed clash.
"He [Callum Smith] just wants world titles now so that's his aim and that's his goal," 'Swifty' told Planet Sport. "He just wants to go for it, he doesn't really want any tick over fights or keep-busy fights so any of the champions really."
Don't rule out Smith Jr
Beterbiev - undefeated from 17 bouts with all of them ending inside the distance - is the firm favourite for his clash against Joe Smith Jr.
But Stephen Smith is refusing to discount the American's chances of emerging victorious.
"I think it's a good fight for him stylistically, he's got a couple of decent options obviously the fight is for three championships. But I think it would be a good fight with Joe Smith. I wouldn't write him off in it.
"Beterbiev has shown he can really punch he cans still get knocked down, Callum Johnson had him over. It's gonna be a good fight to watch.
"If Joe Smith goes for it and lands it will be interesting to see what happens."
