Callum Smith insists that defeating David Benavidez wouldn’t make him the world’s best light heavyweight - that title, he says, still belongs to Dmitry Bivol.
The Liverpudlian, who strengthened his credentials earlier this year by beating Joshua Buatsi, was in Manchester on Saturday to watch his former rival outpoint Zach Parker in a result that has drawn criticism from fans and observers alike. Smith is now focused on defending his WBO Interim light-heavyweight title against David Morrell early in 2026, a bout ordered by the sanctioning body. “Jan, Feb 2026 it’s supposed to happen,” Smith said. “It’s got to be my next fight. It’s looking like it’s going to be another 12 months out the ring, which isn’t ideal.”
Morrell returned to form in July, edging Imam Khataev by split decision after suffering his first career loss to David Benavidez, who currently holds the WBC light-heavyweight title. If Benavidez successfully defends against Anthony Yarde, a British clash with Smith or Buatsi could soon follow.
Still, Smith is clear-eyed about the path to supremacy. “I love the Bivol fight,” he said. “He’s the best in the division at the minute. We boxed as amateurs, so I’ve known of him for a long time. I’ve always wanted that fight. But the Benavidez one I always thought should have happened at some point. We were both 168lbs at the same time, now we’re both 175. I think stylistically it gels pretty well.”
Smith added that while a showdown with Benavidez would be exciting, it wouldn’t crown him king. “Even if I was to go and beat Benavidez, I’d still be sitting number two in the rankings behind Bivol. If you want to be the best, you’ve got to go and fight Bivol. They’re the two men holding the belts in the division - they’re who I want to fight.”
Read more about upcoming Benavidez vs. Yarde showdown.
Image Credit: DAZN