By Edward Chaykovsky
Joe Gallagher, trainer of super middleweight contender Callum Smith (22-0, 17 KOs), is not buying the weight struggle claims by Badou Jack.
On Wednesday, Jack announced that he was vacating the WBC super middleweight crown and heading up to 175-pounds to pursue a world title fight against the WBC champion at light heavyweight, Adonis Stevenson.
Smith was the mandatory challenger to Jack's title. The World Boxing Council will likely order him to face former champion Anthony Dirrell (30-1-1, 24 KOs) for the vacant title.
Gallagher was hoping to have Jack face his fighter in the UK, because the Swedish boxer is far more well known to the British fans with his past battles against George Groves and James DeGale.
Smith was even ringside last Saturday night at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, when Jack came close to stopping DeGale in the twelfth round of their unification showdown, but failed to do so and had to settle for a majority draw.
Gallagher believes Jack's decision to move up was not based on weight. He feels it was based on money - with the goal of landing Stevenson.
“[Jack's claim of struggling with weight] does seem contrary to the weigh-in though, when Jack came a pound inside the weight, and then fought 12 high-tempo rounds with the power in the last to drop DeGale. It might be mind games as they are chasing the Adonis Stevenson fight at light heavy. I’m certainly not buying into them saying it’s killing Jack to make the weight," Gallagher told Sky Sports.
"Dirrell is a very good fighter and has only lost once. He’s a big puncher and it is a fight that could land either here in the UK or over in America - Smith welcomes the fight”
“It’s frustrating for Smith because Jack has fought both Groves and DeGale so he is better known to the UK fans and the fight is bigger. DeGale is also possibly there for the IBF strap, so don’t rule out that fight, although I think ‘Chunky’ may have a mandatory put on him now. Even so, there are definitely a few options there for Smith.”
