Callum Smith hopes for rematch with Canelo Alvarez at 175

By Boxing News - 11/26/2021 - Comments

By Charles Brun: Callum Smith would like a second crack at fighting Canelo Alvarez by battling him at 175 if he returns to the division after moving to cruiserweight in early 2022.

Smith is now campaigning at light heavyweight and is coming off a second knockout win over former world title challenger Lenin Castillo last September on the undercard of Anthony Joshua vs. Oleksandr Usyk at Tottenham Hotspurs Stadium in North London, England.

While Smith looked good in obliterating the hapless Castillo, he didn’t have to worry about getting hit back because his opponent didn’t even try to land shots.

Callum Smith wilted against Canelo

If Castillo had shown some aggression, it would have been interesting to see if Smith backed up against the ropes and gave up the ship, as we saw in his terrible performances against John Ryder and Canelo. Those two fights showed that Smith wilts quickly when dealing with pressure.

The 31-year-old former WBA super middleweight champion Smith (28-1, 20 KOs) would like an opportunity to avenge his embarrassingly one-sided 12 round unanimous decision at the hands of Canelo from a year ago in December 2020 in San Antonio, Texas.

Instead of giving it his all and being willing to go out on his shield to try and get the victory, the stork-like 6’3″ Smith perched himself against the ropes and was shelled for 12 continuous rounds by Canelo (57-1-1, 39 KOs).

Smith looked like a giant bird having feathers plucked by Canelo, and it was difficult to watch because it was a timid approach from the British fighter. It appeared that Smith’s goal was merely to survive the complete 12 rounds without getting knocked out

Image: Callum Smith hopes for rematch with Canelo Alvarez at 175

Now ranked #3 WBC, #8 WBO at light heavyweight, Callum Smith is hoping that Canelo will look his way to throw him a bone when or if he returns to the 175-lb division.

For the time being, Canelo needs to take care of business against little-known WBC cruiserweight belt holder Ilunga Makabu in early 2022.

Smith wants a rematch

I’d love a rematch. Canelo beat me and beat me well, no excuses, but I do believe we’ll see a better version of me at 175,” Callum Smith told the Liverpool Echo.

If I were offered the fight at 175, I’d jump at it if I was a world champion. I’m not going to hold my breath on that one,” said Smith.

It’s a bit surprising that Smith is ALREADY asking for a rematch with Canelo without even having done anything to redeem himself.

I mean, one could understand Smith squawking about wanting a rematch if he’d beaten some quality fighters at 175, but he hasn’t done that.

Smith bounced back from his loss to Canelo by defeating Lenin Castillo by a second knockout last September.

For Smith to be taken seriously by Canelo, he’s going to need to get his hands on one of the titles at 175 by defeating one of these talents:

  • Artur Beterbiev – IBF & WBC
  • Dmitry Bivol – WBA
  • Joe Smith Jr.  – WBO

The question is, can Smith defeat any of those three 175-lb champions? I’d say, based on Callum’s poor efforts against Ryder and Canelo, that’s a big NO.

Smith has got to try at least and win a belt because maybe he’ll get lucky and dethrone one of those champions.

“I do believe he’ll move up at some point, and I think he’ll go wherever he wants to,” said Smith of Canelo. “Yeah, I think we’ll see a better version of me at 175. I think we’ll see a better version of him at 175, and you’ll definitely see a better version of me.”