Reports have recently emerged that Bob Arum and Top Rank Promotions intend to stage the ordered light-heavyweight title fight between Artur Beterbiev and Callum Smith in Quebec, the home of the defending champion.
Smith has reiterated that these terms have not deterred him in the slightest and that he remains confident of ending the Russian-Canadian’s five-and-a-half year reign.
Beterbiev moved to Canada over a decade ago in pursuit of a professional career in North America, in that time the now 38-year-old has established himself as a force in the 175lb division, winning all nineteen of his bouts by knockout and unifying three of the four world titles.
Smith is no stranger to title fights himself, becoming the WBA Super-Middleweight champion in 2018 and making two successful defences, before losing his undefeated record to Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.
Since that maiden defeat, Smith has moved up in weight and found a new lease of life on the light-heavyweight scene, winning both of his contests by early-knockout with newfound power.
Speaking with Boxing Social, ‘Mundo’ declared his confidence in becoming a two-division champion, despite the news of where he would face Betervbiev.
“It’s kind of what I expected, the minute you lose the purse bid, you kind of lose all control and it’s up to them [Top Rank] where they want to put it on. I was hearing rumours that they wanted Beterbiev’s next fight to be at home, well his new home, in Canada.
So yeah, it’s not surprising, I’ve got no problems travelling. I’ve boxed in the States a few times, I’ve boxed in Saudi a couple of times, Germany, it doesn’t faze me.”
“It’s a fight I’ve wanted, a fight I’ve become mandatory for, I had to fight a final eliminator for and a fight that I definitely believe I will win.”
The fight is expected to take place in early August, as the Brit aims to upset the odds.