Initiator Eddie Hearn said Callum Smith still has to decide whether to fight WBC lightweight champion David Benavidez or defend his temporary WBO belt next.
Hearn noted that Smith (31-2, 22 KOS) wanted to be a world champion in both divisions, but between touching IBF, WBA and WBO champion Dmitry Bivol or Benavidez, he didn’t have a “easy touch”.
Benavidez or Bivol?
The way Hearn talks, he sounds unsure whether Smith will fight Benavidez (30-0, 24 KOS). This makes sense. This could be a smaller payday for Callum, who has less chances to win than he has to fight Bivol. We’ve seen how Benavidez has performed with Big Bunders, who has beaten David Morrell and Oleksandr Gvozdyk twice in the last two.
Bivol: vulnerable to stress
By contrast, Bivol, 34, showed vulnerability to stress in two battles with Artur Beterbiev. Although he won the rematch with Beterbiev last February, he looked like he collapsed in early and late matches under uninterrupted pressure.
Smith will do the same with Bivol (24-1, 12 KOS), but he won’t give up on Beterbiev’s way in the second half. He would continue to put pressure on Dmitry and put him on with force. If you are Smith, that would be the better direction. Fighting Benavides would be a bad idea.
“I think there is potential for this battle. Callum now has to weigh himself, defend the interim (WBO lightweight) world champion or fight David Benavidez.” Boxing News When asked about a potential battle between Callum Smith and David Benavidez.
Smith had a tough decision. He fought with paydays for Benavidez and Benavidez if he wanted, but his chances of winning were not good. Unless the money is not in this world, he should wait for the winner of Bivol and Beterbiev III trilogy.
Smith: Two-district champion goal
“The key to Callum is to be a world champion in both divisions. It’s a very difficult job because you have David Benavidez and Dmitry Bivol. There are no simple touchpoints, he knows that. He had a great fight with Buatsi last time and he’ll make a decision in the next few weeks,” Hearn said.
Last updated on June 19, 2010
