Callum Smith Ordered By WBC To Fight Mathieu Bauderlique In Final Eliminator

The WBC has ordered Callum Smith to face 2016 Olympic bronze medalist Mathieu Bauderlique in a 175-lb title eliminator according to Eddie Hearn.

This is being done to determine the mandatory challenger to unified light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev.

The winner of Smith vs. Bauderlique will go on to face the winner of Beterbiev (17-0, 17 KOs) vs. Joe Smith Jr (28-1, 20 KOs), which will occur later this month on June 18 at Madison Square Garden’s Hulu Theater in New York.

As of now, it is still unclear if this fight will be on the Anthony Joshua- Oleksandr Usyk II card, which will occur in August in Saudi Arabia, or if will happen at a later date.

This will be Smith’s second appearance in the 175-lb class, having kicked off his light heavyweight career with a one-punch knockout of Lenin Castillo back in September.

Aside from those two wins, Bauderlique has not fought any major competition throughout his career. Despite his long career, this will be his first time facing a named opponent.

However, with the way the WBC has ordered this fight, it does not give much time for Bauderlique to prepare.