Callum Smith Reportedly Close To Title Shot With Artur Beterbiev
Smith doesn't have an upcoming fight scheduled yet.
The next person who gets a title shot at Artur Beterbiev’s WBC light heavyweight title is unclear.
As of now, it seems that Callum Smith will be next in line for the winner of Beterbiev-Anthony Yarde, which is reportedly happening in January, according to Boxing Scene. But first, Smith has been recommended to do an interim fight and then – if victorious – he will be guaranteed to have a chance at the WBC strap.
“I can guarantee the WBC board reviewed on Sunday – Callum Smith is the mandatory,” Sulaiman said.
“He’s allowed to do a interim fight because Beterbiev is gonna do the WBO mandatory. The winner must fight Callum Smith. Smith is permitted to do a fight. However, if he loses that fight, he will lose his position as mandatory challenger.”
Despite the targeted Beterbiev-Yarde fight, Yarde must first overcome a tune-up fight against Stefanie Koykov, which is scheduled for next Saturday, November 19.
Smith, who has lost just once in his 30-pro fight career, last fought in August. He knocked out Mathieu Bauderlique by the fourth-round.
Meanwhile, WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol has been waiting in the background for an undisputed title fight with Beterbiev.
But it doesn’t look like that’ll be happening yet.