Callum Smith Vs. Mathieu Bauderlique Heads To July 1 Purse Bid

Callum Smith could be one win away from challenging for more major titles.

The WBC has ordered Smith to fight in a final title eliminator against French boxer Mathieu Bauderlique. The bout is heading to a July 1 purse bid hearing.

Smith (28-1, 20 KOs) was previously working on appearing on the undercard of Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua’s rematch on August 20 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The fight could still land there as long as Smith’s promoter, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing, the same as Joshua, can work out a deal in time or win the purse bid to seal promotional rights.

Smith last knocked out Lenin Castillo, which was on the undercard of Usyk-Joshua I on September 25 in London. Before that, he lost to Canelo Alvarez, forfeiting his WBA super middleweight title in December 2020.

Bauderlique (21-1, 12 KOs) has never fought outside of France.

He is currently on a nine-fight winning streak. The Frenchman has only tasted defeat once in his pro career against Dragan Lepei where he was knocked out in the first round. That was more than five years ago.