Callum Smith has spoken out about a potential fight with unified light heavyweight champion of the world Artur Beterbiev.
Beterbiev retained his unblemished professional record alongside his WBC, IBF and WBO belts with an eighth round stoppage win over Anthony Yarde at the OVO Arena on Saturday night.
And despite this taking the 38 year old’s record to a jaw dropping 19 KOs in 19 fights, Smith told Sky Sports he believes he is the man to finally depose “King Artur” from his throne.
“I’ve done my part. I’ve become mandatory so I can sit and wait and fight for three of the belts. He’s [Beterbiev] has got a European style, applies pressure but doesn’t just race forward, he’s clever how he does it and is obviously heavy-handed.
He has been hurt, he’s been put over twice as a professional and he’s not invincible. I’ve seen other fighters hurt him and put him over, I fully believe I can.
I’m in my peak years now and the time to beat him is now.”
The WBC confirmed at their annual convention in Acapulco that Beterbiev must face Smith next and that no allowances would be made for an undisputed fight with WBA champion Dimitri Bivol.
Former super middle weight champion Smith moved up to light heavy in 2021 and has delivered two emphatic knockouts in his two fights thus far at 175lbs.
Considered one of Liverpool’s finest fighters, he will be back in action in his hometown on March 11th, in what is expected to be a tune up fight before a shot at Beterbiev in the summer.
With brother Liam stunning the boxing world with his stunning knockout of Chris Eubank Jr just over a week ago, a legacy defining win over Beterbiev for the 6’3 puncher would make 2023 a year to remember for the Smith family.