Callum Smith is a “wishlist” opponent for Sergey Kovalev according to Kathy Duva
Sergey Kovalev regained his WBO light heavyweight tite against Eleider Alvarez on February 2. In doing so, he found himself with a host of potential fights at his feet.
Many thought the three-time light heavyweight champion looked like a diminished fighter following the knockout by Alvarez in August 2018. With the revenge victory, the Russian has breathed life back into his decorated career and has fans buzzing about what’s next.
One bout in particular, may not have initially been on everyone’s radar. A potential showdown with WBA super middleweight champion Callum Smith!
Smith won the WBSS super middleweight tournament with a career-best win over George Groves in September 2018.
Both fighters’ camps are showing interest in the potential showdown. When speaking with industry sources this week Kovalev’s promoter Kathy Duva mentioned Smith is on her “wishlist” of potential opponents for her champion.
Currently, a weight class separates the fighters. However, it is fair to point out that Smith is a massive super middleweight. I often find myself wondering how he gets down to the super middleweight limit.
Joe Gallagher who trains and promotes the Liverpool fighter, has also mentioned Kovalev’s name as a potential opponent for his man. Although he seemed to favor unifying the division, he specifically pointed to a fight with one they call “Krusher” as a bout that would interest them.
This is an interesting fight, especially when you consider that even though he would be moving up to a new weight class, Smith would still posses a significant height and reach advantage.
Could he utilize those tools beat the seemingly rejuvenated Kovalev? The WBO champion has long been feared for his knockout power. Although, with new trainer Buddy McGirt in his corner, he boxed brilliantly with an emphasis on improved movement and defensive responsibility.
Other Potential Match-Ups
At this point, we will have to wait and see. Kovalev has been linked to potential match-ups with former WBO super middleweight champion, Gilberto Ramirez. He relinquished his WBO title to test himself at light heavyweight.
Fellow champions Dmitry Bivol, Artur Beterbiev, and Oleksandr Gvozdyk are all potential opponents as well. Beterbiev is on the radar more so since negotiations with Sullivan Barrera fell through.
We here at 3kingsboxing look forward to bringing you the news as soon as a fight for either Kovalev or Smith is announced!
By: Tanner Gill
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