Callum Smith catches up with Fight Hub TV to discuss his thoughts on a number of topics in the boxing world, including Sebastian Fundora vs Keith Thurman, Deontay Wilder vs Derek Chisora, Fabio Wardley vs Daniel Dubois, as well as his own career and upcoming fight against David Morrell. Here’s some of what he had to say below.
Smith on where he could go with a win over Morrell
“Look, take care of David Morrell — fingers crossed — but then I’m in a position where I just want big fights…It’ll take a big fight to motivate me. I’d love the Benavidez one,
I’ve always said that for many years now. I think it’s a fight that should’ve happened and probably will happen. Is he a genuine cruiserweight? No. He’s probably a 175, he’s not long come from 168…I don’t see Benavidez as a fully fledged cruiserweight so I think there will probably be a lot of people who’d be willing to go up to fight him at that weight division, but I say take care of David Morrell first. But, look, there’s a lot of massive fights for me and fights that do excite me and motivate me.”
On if he wants a rematch with Canelo
“Look, I’d love that fight again. I’ve always said we didn’t see the best version of me. He performed well, he did his job, but I always said I’d like to see a better version of me in with him…For now the focus is I got to beat David Morrell.”
On whether Thurman can roll back the clock against Fundora
“I don’t know whether you’ve seen the best of Keith Thurman, I think in his prime he was an armful. He’s never been the most pleasing on the eye but he’s always been effective and he’s got some really good wins. I think Fundora’s on a really good run of form…I think momentum’s probably just with Fundora and I think providing a massive upset I think Fundora should come through.”
On Wilder going against Chisora
“I think the Zhang fight and a few of the others have shown he’s probably not the same fighter since the Fury trilogy. I think that really took a lot out of the two of them but it definitely took a lot out of Wilder. His punch resistance doesn’t really seem the same anymore. Derek’s, Derek — you’re getting what you get with him and it’s now become probably a tough fight to pick a winner in.”
On Wardley vs Dubois
“I favor Wardley just in terms of he’s unbeaten, he’s got that bit on invincibility about him and he’s got that mentality where ‘even if it’s not going right I’ll get the job done’ and he’s shown that in those two previous fights…I just think mentally and momentum is with Wardley.”
