GUEST COLUMN
Gallagher on the Saudi Arabia mission
T THE announcement of the World Boxing Super Series final – its date, its location – left me feeling totally relieved for Callum Smith. Finally, I thought.
Callum first became mandatory challenger over two-and-a-half years ago, so it has been a frustrating time for him – not just these last few months, but the last few years. He was due to fight Badou Jack and then he had all that Anthony Dirrell stuff going on. That all held him up.
Then he had to go into the World Boxing Super Series to try and win a world title. But even when he got to the final and was on the brink of fighting for a world title, it got put back because of an injury to George Groves.
The latest delay was frustrating for many people, but Callum tried not to let it get to him. It was more frustrating for the people around him. His mates were trying to book summer holidays, for example, and wanted to know when the fight was going to be. Callum was probably getting hassled by them. His approach, though, was always, ‘Listen, I’m in the final, it’s going to happen.’
I think there was a general sense of frustration after Moscow, when they had the announcement of season two, they had the cruiserweight final, and then we came away and still didn’t have a date for the super-middleweight final.
But you can’t be too hard on them. They’re doing the final, they’re putting it on in Saudi Arabia, and it still involves the number one and number two super-middleweights in the tournament. It’s the right final.
Full credit to Kalle Sauerland and Comosa for making the final and keeping the two finalists involved. They could have easily turned around and put in a replacement, and that wouldn’t have been fair on the fighters or the fans. Fair play to them for putting it back and getting a new date sorted.
I know the fans are upset that it’s in Saudi Arabia, but as far as Callum Smith and George Groves are concerned, it could be on Button Moon for all they care. The fact that it’s the final and it’s for a world title is all the motivation they need. A ring’s a ring.
It’s a shame it’s not at the O2 Arena or the Manchester Arena, but it’s in Saudi Arabia and it’s going to be different for both of us. We just have to treat it as an experience.
At the moment we’re doing a site recce and looking at hotels and the type of food they have at the hotels.
I think the time difference is only something like two hours, so I don’t think that will be a big thing. The travel might be, but I’m not planning on going out a month or three weeks before the fight. We’re going to do all our work as we normally do and then we’ll most probably go out there 10 days beforehand.
Also, everyone goes on about the heat, but if you come into our gymnasium you’ll realise we like it pretty hot anyway. Everything will be air-conditioned, and they’ll have the best facilities and hotels. We’ve just got to ensure everyone can get into the country and has the right paperwork and visas. But, trainingwise, there will be facilities for us to use and that won’t be a problem. We don’t have to worry about that. The whole experience is going to be first-class, I’m sure.
I’m a huge admirer of George Groves. He’s matured very well. He brought himself up off the floor in Vegas against Badou Jack, then pushed him close, and he’s come through a broken jaw and a stiff shoulder. He’s mentally a very strong person, and I think he’ll have taken everything in his stride, just like Callum.
Ultimately, both are hugely motivated, both can hit with either hand, both have the potential to hurt the other, and that’s what will make it an exciting fight.
We’re in the final now. It’s stick or bust. Let’s roll the dice and see what happens.