Bellew: Callum Smith Should Face Jacobs or Eubank, If No Canelo

Former WBC cruiserweight world champion Tony Bellew would like to see Callum Smith in a major fight in 2020.

Smith (27-0, 19 KOs), the WBA super middleweight champion, had two outings in 2019. He blew away former champion Hassan N'Dam in June, and then came back in November to win a tougher than expected decision over mandatory challenger John Ryder.

The main target on Smith's list is Mexican superstar Saul "Canelo" Alvarez, who owns the WBA's "regular" version of the world title at 168 - and is looking for a big opponent for May.

But if there is no Canelo, then Bellew would like to see Smith take on someone like Daniel Jacobs, who recently moved up to 168, or a domestic cracker with Chris Eubank Jr., who recently dropped from 168 to 160.

"I've let everyone know what I think about Callum Smith. The man can go as far as he wants in boxing, but 2020 has to be about him finding that defining fight that I know him, and his team, desperately want. 2020 has to be Callum's year and there's a number of big fights that stand out for him," Bellew told Sky Sports.

"He's had a taste of what the big stage feels like in his fight with George Groves when he just went in there and basically took him apart, and now he wants to be there again. 2020 has to be Callum's year and there's a number of big fights that stand out for him.

"He's desperate for the Saul Alvarez one, but so are many in the sport, so if he can't nail that down then he should be looking at someone like Danny Jacobs or perhaps Chris Eubank Jr. Those are big names that can get people talking."