LIVERPOOL, England – Callum Smith is still waiting on news about his WBO interim light heavyweight title defense against David Morrell.
Smith was ordered to defend his interim strap against Morrell back in July, and it was expected that the bout would land on the David Benavidez-Anthony Yarde undercard in Saudi Arabia on November 22. Smith had been in negotiations to face WBC light heavyweight champion Benavidez before Yarde signed for the fight. The undercard was announced in the following days and it was reported that two Matchroom vs. PBC bouts would also be added to the card, Smith-Morrell and Subriel Matias-Dalton Smith.
Matchroom head honcho Eddie Hearn spoke to BoxingScene back in July and revealed that he was finalizing both bouts with the PBC and Riyadh Season boss Turki Alalshikh, and that he was hoping to wrap up negotiations very soon. Well, things didn’t go to plan, as Matias’ mandatory defense of his WBC junior welterweight title against Smith headed to purse bids last week. Matchroom lost, and the winner, Fresh Productions, plan to stage the bout in Puerto Rico later this year.
So, what of Callum Smith’s defense against Morrell?
“No update to be honest with you, I'm in the same position as probably yourselves,” Smith told BoxingScene. “The fight's been ordered, so my next fight will be with David Morrell. When it will be, I'm not too sure. I'm on my team daily to give me more updates. It's not as straightforward as I'd like at times and things don't move as quickly as I'd like. That is my next fight, when it's going to be I'm just waiting to find out. I'm in the gym, I'm ticking over, I live a good life. When I do get the call for the fight date I'll step it up and I'll be ready again.”
With Smith admitting that the bout will not head to Saudi Arabia on November 22, what better place than his home city of Liverpool?
Smith has not fought in the city’s M&S Bank Arena since successfully defending his WBA super middleweight title against John Ryder in 2019. Smith, who was at that very arena supporting England’s Callum Makin from his beloved Rotunda ABC at the World Boxing Championships, admitted he would love to bring the fight to Liverpool.
“Yeah, definitely, It's been nearly six years now since I've fought here in the city,” he said. “It's crazy to be honest with you, I've had some very good nights here. I've fought as a pro here and boxed here as an amateur as well to be fair. It's a good venue and I love fighting at home. I've been fortunate to fight in some amazing venues all around the world but you can't beat fighting at home in front of your own fans. We'll see, I'd love to get it in Liverpool. Where it ends up? I'm not too sure, but it's a good fight. It's a tough fight as well, he's a very good fighter. I believe in my own ability, I'm confident in myself against everyone in the world and I believe I will become world champion again this year.”
