Smith: 'Now is the perfect moment for me to beat Beterbiev'

Callum Smith watched with interest the fight last Saturday between Artur Beterbiev and Anthony Yardom. Beterbiev retained his WBC, IBF and WBO light heavyweight titles by knocking out Yard in the eighth round. Yard was the mandatory challenger for the WBO. Smith, who holds WBC mandatory status, is next in line.

Callum Smith already held the world super middleweight title and has won two knockouts since lifting 79kg in 2020. First, Smith plans to fight in March against a solid opponent, and then he is ready to fight Beterbiev.

“I did my part of the job. I became the mandatory challenger, so I can sit and wait for my fight for three belts. The opponent in March should be such that I have the motivation to train hard. But if I'm good enough to beat Beterbiev, and I believe I'm good enough, then I should be ready to beat anyone else as long as I stay focused and motivated," Smith told Sky Sports.

“I believe that I can defeat any opponent. I believe I can also win belts. Beterbiev works European-style, applies pressure, but doesn't just go forward, he's smart and he's got punch,” Smith added. - He was shocked, he was sent to the floor twice in professionals, and he is not invincible. I've seen other fighters shake him up and knock him down, and I'm absolutely confident that I can beat him at this point in my career."