Callum Smith is preparing to watch Artur Beterbiev-Dmitri Bivol’s wedding reception on June 1, and the outcome could even decide his future.
The 34-year-old was stopped by IBF, WBO and WBC light heavyweight champion Beterbiev in January, but he will be on the undercard of Beterbiev’s undisputed title fight against fellow Russian WBA champion Bivol. Despite speculation that he might, his date was set. In Spain, it meant that such things were not considered at all.
Smith previously fought in Saudi Arabia in 2018, stopping George Groves in the super middleweight final of the World Boxing Super Series. A fight with domestic opponents Anthony Yarde or Joshua Bouatsi would be equally enticing, but it’s a fight for a recognized world title and one that sees him as the best British light heavyweight. It is expected that he will be tempted to continue fighting, rather than out of a desire to prove himself.
“Callum is resting,” said his brother Stephen Smith. In his new capacity as trainer, he oversaw Charlie Edwards’ recent victory over Georges Ory. “Obviously he was disappointed after the last game.
“He’s getting married on June 1st, so we’re all going out for his wedding, but ironically he’s getting married on the same day as the big fight between Beterbiev and Bibor. That’s why. , we were laughing when people said, “Callum is at five-on-five.” “He’s definitely not.” We’re all abroad that day for his wedding. He’s getting married, but hopefully he’ll look at the situation with the belts and get a chance to challenge for them again and become a two-division champion once one of them is released. If they get together, I don’t know if he will come back. I don’t know. That’s up to him. I would love to see him in action.
“I don’t know if his ambitions will come true if he gets the title. He’s done really well outside of boxing. He’s a former world champion. Ring Magazine belts and things like that. I know him very well. I think he’s in a good position because I know how well he’s doing financially and stuff like that.I just wonder if he’ll come back for the domestic game. No, I don’t think so. I think he just wants to be world champion, so if the belt becomes available, he has a chance to be world champion, he’ll jump at it. But if not, I’m not sure he would enjoy another fight.
“After the wedding, once he understands more, maybe in October, we’ll see him go out and fight again. But that’s exactly what it’s about. If the title becomes vacant – for example, If Beterbiev knocks out Bivol and is promoted to cruiser[weight]; Bivol does not appear to be gaining weight. If one of them got a big knockout or something and didn’t want a rematch – I don’t know what the deal is, – but if it was something along those lines and he lost the belt. If he returns, that means the division will be liberated and Callum will be seen fighting again.
“He might be competing for the vacant belt or something. But all the stories about domestic quarrels with Yard and Buatsi and all that, I don’t think he’s funny. I don’t know, but the conversations with him… I think he wants to be champion again, so if he fights either of them for a world title, he’s going to jump at it because there’s X amount of money on the line from the Saudis. , he’s going to have a fight with them, but I think he’s going to be like, ‘Yeah, whatever.’
The four Smith brothers (eldest son Paul is in management and Liam is an active fighter) will watch the fight between 39-year-old Beterbiev and 33-year-old Bivol within hours of Callum Smith and Kim Love. is. They announced that they were husband and wife.
“[Callum] We will – absolutely,” Smith continued. “You have to imagine, but obviously it depends on the timing. I think his wedding will probably be in the evening. We’ll do our best, but we’ll try and see it. Especially to Callum. There’s a lot of interest. It’s a big fight. It was tough to watch Beterbiev and Kalam, but I’m actually interested in seeing how that fight goes.
“In fact, I like Beterbiev better now. I saw how good he was with Callum, and his accomplishments were much better than I gave him credit for. I thought he might load against, meaning Callum would get a chance to catch him and counter, but he didn’t. He wasn’t loaded with anything.
“100 percent, the better player won, but I was really impressed with his adjustment. By the way, I rate Bivol, but I’m not saying it’s easy by any means. But , I think he’s even better now after seeing Beterbiev up close and seeing him play against Karam. I like him. I think Bivol will try to use his legs, but still. I think Beterbiev will get to him.”
Smith was also asked what he expects from his brother Liam, 35, who was stopped by Chris Eubank Jr. in September 2023.
“Liam’s just recovering from an injury,” he answered. “He had a bad back injury and it really showed in his last fight. I don’t know why he fought to be honest, but he was forced into it for contractual and other reasons. But he got there. He suffered a loss and his first priority is to get himself back to full health. .
“He’s there now. He’s back in the gym. [under trainer Joe McNally]. So hopefully the injury has healed and he can plan his next move. He has several offers. To be honest, he’s been flooded with offers. He’s got a lot of offers – he laughed while he was out with an injury, saying he’s getting offers from left, right and center. It’s always like that. They don’t come when you’re at the gym.
“But he’s got a lot of offers, so I hope he still has a bright future, but first and foremost it’s important to get himself back to full health, because Liam Smith’s fitness and his dismissal are an issue for everyone.” He’s been offered something for July – I spoke to him in the gym a few days ago – and he says he’s aiming for it. was. I don’t know if he’ll be in September, but he’s playing now and he’s aiming for July.”
When asked what he expected his fighter to do next, Callum Smith’s promoter Eddie Hearn replied: “To be honest, I don’t have any plans.” “He’s married and we’re looking at other options. They don’t do me any favors, but they’ll definitely consider a fight.”
