What Next For Callum Smith?

What Next For Callum Smith?

By Michael Richards 

Friday night in Jeddah, saw the passing of the baton in the British dominated world super middleweight division. Callum “Mundo” Smith produced the kind of performance that made the world stand up and pay attention, with him, for want of a better word, “battering” the then current number 1 in the division, George Groves, into submission.

To quote World Boxing Super Series commentator, Ronald McIntosh, Groves was “discombobulated” after the swift and accurate left hook from Smith that started the dismantling process, leading to a sickening right to the body, which led to the ten count and the end of the contest. Groves himself admitted he felt “embarrassed” to have been hurt to the body for the first time in his career. There is nothing embarrassing about suffering from such a fate from a Callum Smith body shot. As he built his professional career, he was renowned for unleashing power shots to the body, taking the wind from his opponents. If it hits the sweet spot, it will hurt, no matter how well prepared you may or may not be.

After such an explosive and eye-catching performance, the question is, what’s next for the newly crowned Ring Magazine and WBA “Super” Champion? The division is strong and is awash with talent and mouth-watering fights, dependant on how Smith wants to go about business. I’m sure Smith has aspirations to unify the division, with the potential to start collecting more belts must be at the forefront of the Liverpudlian’s mind.

Number 2 ranked Gilberto Ramirez holds the WBO belt and potentially soon to be banned (positive test for cocaine) David Benavidez has the WBC strap, with both fights more than winnable, should they be made.

The IBF belt sits with hard-hitting Venezuelan Jose Uzcategui, again another winnable bout and one which could turn into a shootout. Throw into the mix James DeGale and Chris Eubank Jr set to face each other in December, the winner of that fight could also be one Smith explores, as well as a rematch with fellow Scouser, newly crowned WBA Regular Champion, Rocky Fielding.

There is so much on offer and plenty of time to realise all his aspirations. There is no shame in having a couple of easier defences, against lesser opponents. It’s more than deserved and warranted after exploding onto the world scene in scintillating style. Smith showed not only the finishing of an elite boxer, but also the discipline to execute a game plan to perfection. With his prime years still ahead of him, it’s clear to say that Friday saw the birth of another British Superstar of boxing, when much touted potential turned into dream like reality.