Callum Smith earned his place in the WBSS final this past weekend, after overcoming the challenge posed by late replacement Nieky Holzken.
Smith was originally scheduled to take on seasoned light heavyweight contender Juergen Braehmer. That fight, however, fell through when it was revealed that the German had been battling illness.
Forced to take on Holzken at short notice, Smith was somewhat perhaps dishevelled and that led to a lacklustre display from the man they dubbed ‘Mundo’.
Beginning of a new series: 👇🏼#RandomKOGenerator
Vicious shot from @CallumSmith23 in 2016. pic.twitter.com/Us16dnllbZ
— . (@YorksBoxing) January 18, 2018
Smith shared his disappointment at his own performance but focused on the most important thing which was that he now has secured a place in the final.
“I didn’t really make the statement that I wanted to in the fight, but I did what I went there to do and that was to book my place in the final,” he said.“That was the main objective, regardless of who was in the other corner.”
“There was a lot of pressure on me to book my place in the final and it’s job done. I wasn’t prepared to take any chances, I boxed well, used my jab and stuck to the basics.”
Putting that road work in @CallumSmith23#WBSS#WBC#roadisalwaysopen#alitrophy#mundo#Feb24#liverpool#germanypic.twitter.com/CDbhGeXQX6
— GallaghersBoxingGym (@GallaghersGym) February 8, 2018
“I’m now in the final against George Groves, which is a massive fight and one that I’ve wanted since the tournament was mentioned.
“It feels good to finally be getting a world title fight –– I turned professional to become a world champion –– and I’m fighting in a huge fight in England, at home.
It’s what dreams are made of and I really like my chances in that fight.
Smith analysed the challenge that ‘The Saint’ will pose ahead of their final. Callum Smith shared that while he thinks Groves is a ‘good fighter’. Smith believes that he will come unstuck against the best super-middleweight in world boxing.
Sad news about Scott Westgarth. Thoughts and prayers go out to his family 🙏 x
— Callum Smith (@CallumSmith23) February 26, 2018
“I think it’s a good fight, George is a good fighter, but I believe that on my day I’m the best super-middleweight in the world.
“But I’ll have to improve on this performance and I’m looking forward to the final.”
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