This Friday at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, arguably the leading the light of the “next-gen” of British 168 lb fighters, Callum Smith, looks to make a statement in the next step toward his world title ambitions when he fights Frenchman and former George Groves victim Christopher Rebrasse.
Smith, arguably the most naturally talented of the 4 fighting brothers – (the eldest of which, Paul, lost to Andre Ward last weekend) – insists he his fully focused on defeating Rebrasse, which he hopes will ultimately lead to a shot against either Badou Jack or George Groves when the two contest the Swede’s title later this year. (Only Groves and dangerous Mexican Gilberto Ramirez #2, are above #3 Smith in the WBC rankings)
However his French opponent, who took Groves the distance last year, is planning on upsetting the red-hot prospect’s plans, insisting there is much hype surrounding the Liverpool man to see through. He said to Sky Sports;
“There is a lot of hype surrounding Callum Smith. I’m still unsure how good he is. My team have looked at 3 or 4 fights of his. He has a clean and rigid style of boxing. If he is as good as they say he is, then I expect him to bring it on the 26th.”
“I’ve competed at world level and he hasn’t yet, so there are reservations from us about him. We are taking Callum seriously as there has been a lot of talk about him but we intend to expose him before he has a chance to compete at world level.”
Smith, currently 16-0, 12 early, is yet to win the British title, which currently lies vacant and there is already talk of him fighting Liverpool rival Rocky Fielding for that title later this year. Fielding boxes American Bryan Vera on the same card on Friday – and should both come through these tests – it’s an “in-house” fight Eddie Hearn is looking to put together later in the year.
Smith said of the immediate post-Rebrasse future;
“That (Fielding) is a big fight in Liverpool. We’re both undefeated and there is a lot of demand for that fight. If we both come through Friday then we’ll sit down and talk.”
“I’d love to win the British title. I’ve seen my 3 brothers fight for it and it’s a great title to win. If that fight comes, I’d jump at it. It’s a fight I 100% confident I’d win.”
First he must take out Rebrasse.
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