Callum Smith: I want to become two-weight world champion after Canelo fight

Callum Smith has told us that he wants to move up to light-heavyweight following his fight with Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez to become a two-weight world champion.

Smith will defend his WBA (Super) and The Ring super-middleweight titles against Canelo in San Antonio, Texas on 19th December, with his Mexican opponent believed by many to be the number one pound-for-pound boxer in the world.

But while Canelo is his immediate focus, Smith is also eyeing up a future move to light-heavyweight, though doesn’t know how soon that will come about after this weekend’s fight.

“I’ve always said a move to 175 pounds (light-heavyweight) is inevitable. I’m big enough and good enough to go up there and do what I’ve done at 168 (super-middleweight),” he said. “I believe I can become a world champion up there – and the thought of being a two-weight world champion is a goal I have set myself.

“I couldn’t really say I wanted to be a two-weight world champion before I was a one-weight world champion, but as soon as I won my world title, becoming a unified world champion or a two-weight world champion was definitely a goal I’ve set myself.

“I do think moving up to light-heavyweight will happen soon – whether or not after this fight there’s a rematch with Canelo or I move up to 175… Again it’s exciting, there’s a lot of exciting options out there for me. But a move up to 175 is definitely possible in the near future. There’s a lot of top fighters up there and I look forward to jumping in the ring with them.”

At super-middleweight, Smith believes he is capable of beating anyone, including Canelo.

“I do believe you will see the very best in me on Saturday and the very best of me can beat anyone on the planet at 168 (pounds),” he said. “I always believed I’d be in this position, I always believed I’d be world champion.

“Your whole career you’re always driving to be in this position but there’s still work to be done – I’ve got to come out the winner. This is huge for me, my career, my family, it’s a massive fight. It’s time for me to walk the walk – I’ve always said the better the opponent, the better the version of me and I couldn’t find a better opponent to share the ring with.”

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