Interim title in Liverpool places Smith inside light heavyweight championship picture
Callum Smith fights David Morrell in Liverpool for the WBO interim light heavyweight title. Victory would move him directly into the championship picture alongside Dmitry Bivol.
Smith is coming off a solid win over Joshua Buatsi and admits the layoff stretched longer than expected.
“This fight has been long overdue,” Smith said. “Obviously I’ve come off of a good win [against Joshua Buatsi] and didn’t expect to be out of the ring for this long. But it’s a good fight and a fight I am really looking forward to. It’s nice to finally see my own face on a fight poster and get confirmation it’s happening. So it’s going well and I am looking forward to putting on a performance.”
He has not boxed in Liverpool since 2019. The return home is part of the appeal.
“It was 2019 the last time I fought in Liverpool, so I’m excited to be boxing again in front of my own fans. I’ve enjoyed fighting all over the world, but this one is long overdue to be back. I’m a big fan of fighting abroad, but nothing beats fighting in front of your own in Liverpool.”
Morrell is not a placeholder. He is patient, balanced, and sharp with his jab. He sets his feet before he lets combinations go and is comfortable stepping into counters when opponents get careless. Smith will need to establish distance early, keep the right hand in play, and avoid hanging in range after punching. At light heavyweight, mistakes get checked quickly.
“He [David Morrell] is a good fighter with good skills,” Smith said. “He has good experience and has fought at a good level since his second or third fight in, which shows just how good a fighter he is. So he is going to pose some problems for me. But I believe I can beat anyone in the world, and the goal for me is still the same to become a two-weight World Champion. To do that, I need to beat David Morrell.”
Interim belt only matters if Bivol answers the call
Smith did not hesitate when Bivol’s name came up.
“For the time being, Dmitry Bivol is the man in the division,” Smith said. “He’s got most of the belts, so it all depends on what he is going to do. For the winner of this fight, they could fight him or get elevated for the belt. I wouldn’t mind either option, to be honest with you!”
Bivol holds the real authority at 175. An interim title keeps Smith in position, though it does not guarantee a shot. Sanctioning bodies elevate when it suits them and stall when it does not.
Smith has the size and the straight right to trouble anyone at the weight. He also has to show he can control rounds against a disciplined southpaw who will not give ground easily.
Handle Morrell then push for Bivol. Anything short of that leaves him circling the pack.
