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Callum Smith, the former super middleweight champion of the WBA, is in a crucial stage of his career. His first knockout defeat still hurts, and it will always be a cloud over his career in the ring. The 33-year-old native of Liverpool is debating whether to keep fighting or not. Though he believes he can compete at the championship level, Smith questions the usefulness of non-title fights because all major light heavyweight championships are now out of reach.
Smith must decide if the attraction of the ring still provides enough drive now that he has made a solid financial future for his young family through his boxing earnings. Finding the right balance between pursuing sports fame and financial comfort is an issue that many athletes face.
Smith acknowledged that a local bout against fellow British light heavyweight contender Anthony Yarde would rekindle his fighting spirit in a recent interview with Boxing News. Their respective promoters, Frank Warren (for Yarde) and Eddie Hearn (for Smith), have suggested this bout for a special five-versus-five fight show.
Smith vs. Yarde may be the main event on the Matchroom Boxing vs. Queensberry Promotions programme that Turki Alalshikh of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority is putting together. However, Smith's wedding preparations conflict with the schedule of this occasion, which makes his choice even more difficult.
Recently, Russian heavyweight contender Artur Beterbiev defeated both Smith (29-2, 21 KOs) and Yarde (24-3, 23 KOs) in their attempts to win the light heavyweight belts. Smith admits that, with Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol slated for a unification fight, fighters like himself need to hunt for more interesting matchups as he mulls over his defeat to Beterbiev and the state of the division.
Smith acknowledges that the realities of the division right now may need bouts that don't always result in a title but still provide exciting sports competition. This is what a fight with Yarde would be like—a struggle for honour and the chance to take part in something truly historic.
The boxing community waits for Smith's decision as he takes some time off to spend with his family and commemorate his marriage. Is he going to decide to put up his gloves or will the attraction of a big battle with Anthony Yarde be enough to get him back in the ring? Whatever his decision, Smith has undoubtedly made a lasting impression on the game.
What do you believe Callum Smith should do next? What do you think about his boxing future and possible matchup with Anthony Yarde?
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