The last time we saw Callum Smith on a big stage, he received what Canelo Álvarez gave him.
Smith fought valiantly, but didn’t have the skills or stamina to compete at the same level as the Mexican superstar, who won a one-sided decision to unify two 168-pound titles in December 2020 in San Antonio.
Will it be any different when Smith faces another star on Saturday in Quebec City, Canada (ESPN, ESPN+)?
Smith (29-1, 21 KOs) is ready to challenge 175-pound champion Artur Beterbiev, who has defeated all 19 of his professional opponents to become one of the most feared fighters in the world.
The Englishman says he is ready for the challenge.
“I’m in a good place mentally and physically, and I’m ready to perform,” Smith said Thursday at the final news conference. “…This will be exciting. He is a very good fighter. He is a three-belt champion. So, his achievements speak for themselves.
“But I believe in myself. I always have. I think my best version can beat anyone in the world. I fully support it.”
Smith moved up to light heavyweight after the setback against Alvarez. And he left trainer Joe Gallagher in favor of Los Angeles-based Buddy McGirt.
The 33-year-old feels good about the new deal, which has produced consecutive knockouts over Lenin Casillo in 2021 and Mathieu Bauderlique last year. He believes that he is a better fighter than in 2020.
“I’ve improved a lot over the last few years with Buddy McGirt,” he said. “And the time is now. I am ready to become a world champion in two divisions. The opportunity is presented to me this weekend and it is an opportunity that I plan to take advantage of.”
McGirt also believes in his protégé.
The Hall of Fame fighter-turned-trainer respects Beterbiev, arguably the most intimidating fighter in the world, but hinted that a lot of people will be surprised Saturday night.
“He’s very underrated,” McGirt said of Smith. “I think a lot of people underestimate him. He’ll really show what he can do on Saturday night. You can’t go into the fight thinking about his record. We know what we have in front of us. We are not stupid. We know it is a tough test.
“We are prepared for that. If that worries you, you are in the wrong business.”
We’ll see how prepared Smith really is.
