CALL REFUSES TO CALL IT OFF
CALLUM SMITH says his world title fight with Anthony Dirrell is not in doubt after last weekend’s ugly scenes in Washington involving his opponent’s family. Trouble erupted when American Dirrell’s brother Andre was knocked out by Jose Uzcategui, who landed a punch on the bell at the end of the eighth round. The blow was ruled late and Uzcategui was disqualified before the Dirrells’ uncle and trainer Leon Lawson suckerpunched the Venezuelan with a big left hook to the jaw. There was then nearly a riot, with pushing and shoving involving Anthony Dirrell, and Lawson has been charged with two counts of assault. Anthony, 32, will dispute the vacant WBC world super-middleweight title with Smith, 27, in Los Angeles on September 9 and the Scouse scrapper says last Saturday’s events have not scuppered those plans. Smith said: “It was shocking. There’s no place for that in boxing and the trainer should get a lifetime ban. He couldn’t control his actions and he shouldn’t be able to get into the ring like that afterwards to do that.
“I didn’t see Anthony Dirrell involved at the time but people then got in touch with me after and said he was and were asking if the fight was off. It’s not acceptable really.
“But it’s not affected my fight from what I’ve heard and no news is good news. I wouldn’t want it postponed after what happened. I’ve waited long enough for this fight.
“It’s a good fight, he’s a former champion and I’m unbeaten.
“I’m 100 per cent ready, it has come at the right time in my career and it’s the fight I want more than any other.
“I’ve boxed at every level from domestic level up and if I fought any other opponent now people would be complaining. I’ve matured over the years and I’m better than I was a few years ago so I’m ready for this level now.” Smith insists that winning the WBC belt has always been his priority before a clash with fellow Briton James DeGale, who holds the IBF world title. DeGale, 31, is expected to be out until late this year following surgery on a shoulder injury suffered in January’s draw with Sweden’s Badou Jack, who gave up his WBC belt after the bout. Smith added: “There were a lot of rumours I would fight DeGale next but he has his mandatory defence against Andre Dirrell now and I don’t know if he can have a fight in between. “My plan all along was to win my own world title and bring something to the table before a fight with James. “That only looked likely when the WBC was taking so long in announcing my fight with Dirrell, but as soon as they did it I knew it was the one.”