One day they’ll call us Fab 4!
CALLUM: WE’RE A BRIT SPECIAL
CALLUM SMITH believes his family will only get the recognition they deserve when they retire from boxing.
The Liverpool super-middleweight kicks off his World Boxing Super Series campaign with a quarterfinal against Erik Skoglund at the Echo Arena tonight.
He is hoping to win the eight-man tournament and come out with the WBA title, currently held by British rival George Groves who is in the other half of the draw.
Massive
All four Smith brothers – Paul, Stephen, Liam and Callum – have held British titles, a record feat.
While Liam has also held the WBO light-middleweight title and both Paul and Stephen have challenged for world titles.
But their achievements have been largely overlooked. “Hopefully there is still more to add to it,” said Smith.
“You see people winning British titles from smaller cities and it’s a massive thing.
“Some cities have never had a British title and we had four in one household!
“And it’s not like there are six brothers and four of us have done well. There’s four boys in the family and we have all been British champi- ons. It’s just the norm because we are all still fighting. In 10 years’ time people will look at it as a big achievement.”
If Smith wins tonight, he will meet the winner of German Jurgen Braehmer and American Rob Brant in the last four.
He is in the easier side of the draw, with Groves and Chris Eubank Jnr in the other half.
Smith added: “I can’t start saying I’m going to beat Groves or Eubank Jnr until I get there, I’d look stupid if I messed it up before that.” In London, WBO middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders takes on Willie Monroe Jnr at the Copper Box.
Saunders is in the best shape of his career so should come through it and move closer to a huge fight with Saul Alvarez or Gennady Golovkin.