Callum Smith: DeGale vs. Jack Winner Will Have To Face Me Next

By Edward Chaykovsky

Undefeated super middleweight contender Callum Smith (21-0, 16KOs) will be keeping a close eye on the scheduled unification between IBF champion James DeGale and WBC beltholder Badou Jack, which got finalized for January 14th.

Smith has been the WBC mandatory challenger for a long time and has stayed busy while waiting for the DeGale unification to get worked out.

Smith saw action three times in 2016, with a stopped of Norbert Nemesapati in September, a TKO of Cesar Hernan Reynoso in May and another stoppage in April over Hadillah Mohoumadi.

Smith is not bothered by the wait, because he'll receive the opportunity to go for two titles with one fight.

"I'm in a good position and I know after this fight, then my next fight will be for two world titles," Smith exclusively told Sky Sports. "So I'll kill two birds with one stone. I know it will be the next fight. They will not be allowed to have another fight in between, so it shouldn't be too long."

"[Matchroom will] speak to whoever wins that fight and myself and come to an agreement with a date. I'm not fussed, I'm not just saying that. They have both got plus sides for me. Stylistically Jack is orthodox and he's based in Vegas. Every kid dreams of fighting in Vegas for a world title. DeGale is British and we've seen in the past how the public love a domestic fight for a world title, so that would be a bigger fight profile-wise. May the best man win and I look forward to challenging whoever wins it."

Smith and DeGale are both promoted by Eddie Hearn. Smith admits that he used to follow the pre-paid career of DeGale, who won an Olympic gold medal for the UK, in the amateur ranks.

"I've been a fan of his for a long time," revealed Smith. "When he was 18, 19, he was on the same England team as my brother and I remember watching him in the ABAs, the Commonwealth Games, the Olympics.

"I've been a fan of his style, but I do think I've got the beating of him and I'm different to anyone he's faced previously. People haven't seen the best of me yet and I'll raise my game for a world title. It will be a tough fight and a good fight to watch, but I do think I'll be a world champion next year."