MANCHESTER, England – Eddie Hearn believes that Callum Smith could still face David Benavidez despite the latter confirming a November bout with Anthony Yarde - but in a unification down the line.
Smith cemented himself as the light heavyweight most deserving of a title shot with his victory over Joshua Buatsi back in February to claim the WBO interim strap. But with Bivol, the WBO champion, seemingly facing Artur Beterbiev in a trilogy bout later this year, Smith is looking elsewhere.
Smith had told BoxingScene earlier this week that talks were still ongoing between his team and David Benavidez for a shot at the American’s WBC light heavyweight title. It was announced this morning, however, that Benavidez would be defending his title against Anthony Yarde in November instead.
“We'd been talking for about three months about that fight, to be honest with you, and we couldn't get a number together to do the fight in the US,” Hearn, Smith’s promoter, told BoxingScene. “And then, 48 hours ago, Turkey Alalshikh came on, Luis Decubas came on, we were trying to make the fight, but we just couldn't agree terms. We couldn't get to a spot that Callum [Smith] was happy with.
“Yarde took the money that we were offered because we're in a different kind of position. Yarde's got nowhere to go at the moment. Callum is the interim world champion. He's going to be mandatory for Dimtry Bivol. So, we just liked our position of just defending that and seeing what happens with the belt.”
Smith remains in a strong position, however. Should the Bivol-Beterbiev III winner opt against a fight against the Englishman he would then be elevated to full WBO champion.
“When we were talking about the Benavidez fight, we said to Turki Alalshikh, maybe that Bivol does vacate the belt, and then it's a unification between the two [Smith and Benavidez],” Hearn said. “So, I think that Callum also realizes that there is a chance that he could even be elevated to world champion, which would change his position and his value.”
Regardless of not landing the shot against Benavidez the plan is to keep Smith active. The former super middleweight beltholder has struggled with inactivity in the past and Hearn revealed the plan is for Smith to now defend his interim strap while they wait to see how the landscape develops.
So who might be next for Smith?
“Yeah, I mean, you've got Conor Wallace, he's our guy, but he could fight Michael Eifert for the IBF world title,” said Hearn. “You've got Craig Richards floating around looking for a big fight. Khalil Coe coming off a big fight as well. Zac Parker with Queensberry as well. So, yeah, looking at someone from the Top 15 while you kind of wait to see what happens with the Bivol-Beterbiev situation.”
