Callum Smith has confirmed that he’s not retiring after his recent loss to unified light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev.

Smith (29-2, 21 KOs) wants to continue fighting to achieve his goal of becoming a two-weight world champion, and he says a clash against Anthony Yarde would motivate him for the time being.

A clash between Smith and Yarde is rumored to be the likely headliner on the Matchroom v Queensbury 5 v 5 event in Saudi Arabia, and it would give Callum a nice payday in a winnable fight.

Breaking Through the Noise

“I didn’t think I was in with a monster. I don’t believe he’s the monster that people make it to be,” said Callum Smith to iFL TV about his thoughts on IBF/WBC/WBO light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev.

“I need the right fight to get me motivated. I’m not retiring. Anthony Yarde is definitely a fight that does motivate me. For the time being, the four belts are going to be tied up.

“I think they [Dmitry Bivol & Beterbiev] are going to fight for the undisputed in June time. So, it’s not like I’m next in line for the winner. The goal is to be a two-weight world champion. Would I be happy retiring not achieving it? No, I wouldn’t be.

Yarde (24-3, 23 KOs) has a lot of punching power, but he’s not on the level talent-wise as Beterbiev, as we saw last year in his eighth round knockout defeat in London.

Besides Yarde, Smith has other interesting options against these capable fighters:

Joshua Buatsi
Dan Azeez
Craig Richards
Albert Ramirez
Oleksandr Gvozdyk

Yarde Ignites the Spark

“I think outside of the champions, that’s the fight to make in the division,’ said Smith on a bout against Yarde. “That’s a fight that does motivate me if it gets made.”

Yarde is a dangerous puncher with explosive power, and it would be a difficult fight for Smith if he fought the way he did against Beterbiev. He’s not going to have much luck against an athletic talent like Yarde if he shells up against the ropes as he did against Beterbiev.

“It’s a sport that I no longer have to do. I’m doing it because I want to be a two-weight world champion. I’m taking a few weeks off, and then I’ll see what options are. No, I’m not retiring. That was more sulking after the fight,” said Smith.