The Significance of Callum Smith’s Upcoming Fight Against John Ryder!
On November 23 Callum Smith (26-0 19 KO’s) defends the WBA “Super” World Super Middleweight title against mandatory challenger John Ryder (28-4, 16 KO’s).
They will stage the bout at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, England, live on Sky Sports and DAZN.
For the defending champion, this is more than just taking care of a mandatory obligation. This is a set up for what he hopes are bigger fights down the road.
“Listen I’m switched on. The fights that have been mentioned with Canelo, Golovkin, the big unification fights. They’re still there providing I come through this fight.
“But if I lose this fight, they disappear. It’s a must-win for me and it’s one more step towards those fights.
“I know if I slip up, Anfield is gone. I’m fully focused on this one and if I get this one out of the way, I’ll speak to Eddie Hearn and see if he can deliver me a big fight in 2020.”
Canelo Alvarez, Gennady Golovkin and WBO Super Middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders are fighters the 29-year-old is targeting.
For WBA “Regular” World Super Middleweight champion Alvarez, for one, he is the biggest name around. He is also the biggest moneymaker in the sport.
Golovkin is the IBF Middleweight champion, but throughout 2019 has hinted about moving up to 168-pounds for the right opportunity.
BUILDING THE CASE
Negotiations took place for a unification bout between Smith and Saunders earlier this year. However, they fell through because Smith felt the money wasn’t right. The common theme between Alvarez, Golovkin, Saunders, and Smith? They all fight for DAZN.
Smith is arguably the best fighter in his division. However, here is the issue. Since winning the world title in September 2018, he has only fought once since. That bout of note was a third round stoppage win over Hassan N’Dam on June 1.
The biggest names in and around his division, Alvarez and Golovkin to be specific, have not expressed great interest in fighting him. To become a more viable name and get the big money fights, he has to get his name out there.
That can only happen by being more active. A win over Ryder is what the defending champion hopes will be a springboard to a more active and prosperous 2020.
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
