Home Boxing News Artur Beterbiev plans summer return, Callum Smith puts hand up for the...

Artur Beterbiev plans summer return, Callum Smith puts hand up for the gig

Artur Beterbiev. Photo credit: Reuters

Artur Beterbiev 19-0 (19) might be just a few days removed from successfully defending his WBC, WBO and IBF light heavyweight titles against Anthony Yarde 23-3 (22), but his team are already plotting his next move.

The 38-year-old Canadian-based Russian, who scored a come-from-behind eighth-round knockout of Yarde at Wembley Stadium in London, England on Saturday night, could have a homecoming fight in Montreal according to his promoter Top Rank.

That bout could well take place against mandatory challenger Callum Smith 29-1 (21).

“With Artur Beterbeiv’s win over Anthony Yarde, we now have a number of possibilities for his next fight,” Carl Moretti, vice president of Top Rank, said to Le Journal de Montreal.

“We would probably be obliged to offer a fight to Callum Smith, the mandatory for the WBC. We would like to stage this fight in Montreal at the end of the summer.”

Englishman Smith, 32, has scored two knockout wins since moving up to the 175-pound weight class following his points loss to Mexican star Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez 58-2-2 (39) two years ago.

“I’ve done my part. I’ve become mandatory so I can sit and wait and fight for three of the belts,” Smith told Sky Sports.

“It’s a bit of a tricky one. But if I’m good enough to beat Beterbiev, which I believe I am, I should be good enough to beat anyone else I the meantime, as long as I stay focused and motivated.

“I feel like I am, I feel like I’m enjoying training more. I feel like I’m enjoying the improvements I’m making. I should be okay.

“I believe I can beat anyone on the planet. I believe I can win the belts as well. He’s European style, applies pressure but doesn’t just race forward, he’s clever how he does it and 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.”

While Yarde had the hometown advantage against Beterbiev that is unlikely to be the case for Smith, who says he is unfazed where the bout will take place.

“I’m the challenger. I’m not going to be able to call many shots. I think if we don’t come to an agreement it goes to purse bids anyway regardless. I just want to fight,” he said.

“I don’t think the venue matters too much to myself. I’ll fight, whether I have to go to America for it, England, either or. I just want that fight. That’s the goal. That’s why I’m still boxing. That’s why I’m going away to camp. It’s to be a two-weight world champion.”

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