Callum Smith eyes Badou Jack, Anthony Yarde and Anfield dream struggle after Joshua Buatsi thriller

Callum Smith would welcome leaping as much as cruiserweight to problem Badou Jack for his WBC world title.

Smith, a former WBA super-middleweight world titlist, defeated Joshua Buatsi in an exhilarating struggle final month.

That victory secured Smith a WBO interim belt, placing him in prime place to problem for a world championship in his second division.

However he may very well be tempted to maneuver up even greater in weight and struggle Jack for the WBC title at 200lbs.

“I’d love the Badou Jack fight,” Smith advised Sky Sports activities. “It is a struggle that I might take given the chance.

“I don’t class myself as a fully-fledged cruiserweight but I don’t class him as one either. I think it’s definitely a fight I would consider if it can be made.”

Smith’s objective is to develop into a two-weight world champion and boxing for a 175lb title is a extra instant alternative – whether or not that’s difficult undisputed light-heavy champ Dmitry Bivol, boxing for a vacant belt or being elevated from interim to full world champion.

Having boxed Bivol 13 years in the past after they had been amateurs, Smith would welcome knowledgeable contest with the brand new undisputed champion.

“He’s the man in the division,” Smith mentioned. “We’re waiting to see what he’s going to do with his future. He’s got all the belts so he’s going to get a handful of mandatories.

“He’ll go together with the struggle that makes essentially the most sense for himself financially, whether or not it is the trilogy [with Artur Beterbiev] or [a fight with WBC mandatory David] Benavidez. He is received the IBF necessary, I will be his WBO necessary. He is received plenty of choices himself.”

Smith nonetheless harbours his dream of combating at Anfield in his house metropolis of Liverpool.

“Timing has lot to do with it,” he mentioned. “I know a lot has to align for it to be able to happen.

“It most likely wants the suitable struggle, the suitable undercard, all the things’s received to suit for it to have the ability to work.

“That is the ultimate goal and not just for myself, probably every Liverpool fighter.”

One other Briton, Anthony Yarde is also a possible opponent for Smith.

“If it’s a world title fight, then it makes sense,” Smith mentioned. “I believe I’m one of the best light-heavyweights in the world and certainly the best light-heavyweight in Britain. Beating Buatsi proved that and if I have to beat Yarde to prove that again, then I’d certainly do that.”

The battle with Buatsi will certainly be a runaway contender for top-of-the-line fights of 2025.

“It was a fast-paced fight, and we both put a lot into round six, so, from the second half of the fight, I was running on grit and determination,” Smith mirrored. “The next day I felt like I’d been run over. My muscles and body were sore. My eye was sore.

“But it surely’s a bit of bit simpler once you’ve gained and you are feeling like that.”

He added: “I think a rematch would probably be a bit of a similar fight.

“I am positive the followers would most likely need to see it once more. Me, I am not in a rush to do it once more, I do not suppose he could be both!”