Callum Smith Speaks on Finding his Motivation to Keep Fighting
There comes a time in a fighter’s career when they must look inward and consider whether it’s worth continuing to carry on and fight. That’s the present case of light heavyweight contender Callum “Mundo” Smith (29-2, 21 KOs). While he talks like a man who wants to fight again, should Mundo reconsider and hang up the gloves once and for all?
KNOWING WHEN TO SAY WHEN
On January 13, Smith was stopped in seven rounds by reigning unified light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev. Immediately after that fight, Smith sounded like a man on the verge of calling it a career.
He’s now singing a different tune nearly two weeks after his loss. Speaking to the British media source, iFL TV, the 33-year-old former super middleweight champion updated his present mind state.
“It’s more that I need the right fight to get me motivated . . . I’ve got two little kids at home, and it’s not a sport that I have to do anymore. I’ve done it because I want to become a two-weight world champion . . . We’ll see what other options are out there, what can motivate me . . . I’m not retired. I think it was more of me sulking after the fight. I need to know what gets me motivated moving forward.”
TRYING TO HAVE IT BOTH WAYS
Early speculation in British boxing circles is that Smith could face former world title challenger Anthony Yarde later this year. When asked about Yarde, Smith said he would be willing to fight him, but any word of that potential matchup is purely talk.
Word on the street is that Beterbiev could fight WBA champion Dmitry Bivol in late spring or early summer to determine the undisputed champion at 175. So, even if the fight were to occur between Smith and Yarde, would it move Smith closer to title contention? Highly unlikely.
More importantly, Mundo is a fighter who seems to be fighting with himself emotionally. On one hand, he says he’s not retired. But he then turns around and admits he’s searching for motivation and doesn’t need to fight.
Smith has had a solid career. However, whenever a fighter talks about a need to be inspired to fight while bringing up their family, it’s a sign they already have one foot out the door and are just as good as done.
