Onus on Smith to earn dream Canelo battle

Callum Smith believes the onus is on his shoulders to establish his supremacy at supermiddleweight and leave Saul “Canelo” Alvarez with little option but to agree to a highprofile showdown by defeating the division’s other champions.

Smith, as the WBA Super champion and holder of the prestigious Ring Magazine belt, is regarded by many as the number one fighter in the 168lb division and a bout against Alvarez would generate huge levels of interest.

Before coronavirus brought major sporting events to a standstill, Smith was on the shortlist to face Alvarez but the Mexican superstar was instead on the verge of signing a deal to fight WBO champion Billy Joe Saunders.

There is no bitterness from Smith, who is instead focused on his own career path and is eyeing contests against fellow Briton Saunders as well as WBC champion David Benavidez and IBF belt holder Caleb Plant.

If he can dethrone any of the trio, Smith knows he would edge closer to facing Alvarez, who has held world titles in four weight classes between light-middleweight and lightheavyweight.

Smith, who has won all 27 of his professional contests, told the PA news agency: “If I keep winning and do unify the division then the demand for the fight would be a lot bigger.

“I wouldn’t say it would be forced but it may be the only fight possible for each other if I clean out the supermiddleweight division and if he’s in that division then I’m the only fight for him.

“I’ve just got to make it my position to get some of the other belts so that the only fight for him at super-middle that makes sense is me.

“But if the fight comes, comes. If it doesn’t then doesn’t.

“It’s a great fight and one I would love but I’m not going to sit round and stall my own career waiting for it when it could never, ever happen.

“There are four world champions but I believe I’m the number one and I’d like to think over the next year or two, we can clear that up and hopefully just get the one champion.” it it