AN eight-round fight on November 30 for Callum Smith will lead to a “big, big fight” in 2025 his promoter Eddie Hearn has said.
Speaking on Matchroom Boxing’s YouTube channel, Hearn discussed the return of Smith, 29-2 (21 KOs), who hasn’t fought since his January loss in Canada to light-heavyweight supremo Artur Beterbiev.
The defeat was Smith’s second but both have come at the highest level of the sport against the Russian and Canelo Alvarez in December 2020.
“Callum’s done it all in terms of won the world championship at 168, won the RING magazine belt, fought Canelo Alvarez, moved up to light-heavyweight fought Artur Beterbiev for the unified world title. When he came short in Quebec I wasn’t sure whether we’d see him again,” Hearn said.
Smith, who will celebrate his 35th birthday in April, returns on the Sunny Edwards-Galal Yafai undercard in Birmingham next weekend. From there, Hearn has big plans for the Liverpudlian, who is part of a talent-filled British scene at 175lbs.
“Get rid of the cobwebs of the Beterbiev fight then he’s straight in,” Hearn said.
“Joshua Buatsi, Anthony Yarde, Lyndon Arthur, even Dmitry Bivol. Any of these big opportunities at 175. Just one little run out and after that anyone you want. I’m excited. We’ve been with Callum Smith since his professional debut. Looking forward to the run out in Birmingham and he will be in a big, big fight in Q1 of 2025.
“The plan is to land a big domestic fight hopefully with world title ramifications.”