Former WBA Super 168lbs champion Callum Smith has claimed that no-one is capable of beating Mexican star Canelo Alvarez on current form.
Smith (27-1, 19 KOs) dropped a wide points decision to Canelo last month in San Antonio, Texas, and feels that the Mexican will only taste defeat if he steps up too far in weight.
With WBA Super and WBC champion Canelo focused on unifying the super-middleweight division after what looks a straightforward mandatory engagement against Avni Yildirim on February 27, defeat isn’t in the Mexican’s immediate future, according to Smith.
“He is very clever in terms of the jab. He walks you down,” Smith told Sky Sports. “With anybody else, you would jab. But he wants you to jab because he’s a counter-puncher. So you don’t throw as many jabs and while you are waiting, he closes the space down without throwing anything. Then he jabs and hits you. You think: ‘How did that land?’ He keeps you guessing all the time. You are hesitant.
“His best asset was his presence and his defence. He was so hard to hit clean. When I was throwing, he was riding them, making me miss. You aren’t landing so you stop fully committing to shots. He takes away what you are good at.
“I don’t think anyone beats him. He may only lose if he keeps going up in weight but he’s put a stop to that. His defence is just too good. He can obviously punch but his power wasn’t ridiculous. I remember [George] Groves hit me and I thought: ‘I don’t want to take one of those on the chin’.”
Smith is currently recovering from a tricep injury suffered in the Canelo fight, but hopes to be back at full tilt after a recuperative period, most likely in the 175lbs division.
“[There are] certain movements I still get pain in. It doesn’t need operating, I just need rest,” added Smith. “The opportunity to be a two-weight world champion is something I always wanted. I believe that I’m big enough and good enough.”
Main image: Matchroom Boxing USA.