THE World Boxing Super Series final, that pits Callum Smith against WBA super-middleweight champion George Groves is a major British fight. It’s a surprise therefore that it could well take place overseas.
Kalle Sauerland, who handles the Super Series, tells Boxing News, “It’s September and likely to be outside the UK.”
Callum Smith, who has taken a road with a fair few unexpected twists to reach the final, remains typically calm about the prospect of going on the road. “Two Brits outside of Britain, it’s a bit unusual but I think this tournament has been a bit unusual from the start, it’s been a little bit different like the Champion’s League. They’re doing well so far. I’ve just got to stick by what they say and do my job in the ring and win,” Callum said, speaking exclusively to Boxing News. “It’s a bit strange, to be honest with you, a big domestic fight with two Brits, 99 times out of a hundred you’d think it would be in Britain. But it doesn’t really phase me too much.
“Regardless of where the fight is, it’s a level playing field for both of us.”
Smith has been preparing with a view to contending with Groves in early September. His initial spars will be with gym-mate Callum Johnson, who’s preparing for a world title fight of his own against fearsome light-heavyweight Artur Beterbiev before Callum brings in more sparring specifically for the Groves fight.
“I’ve been in the gym for quite a bit, just ticking over,” Smith said. “I’ve been told early September so I’m not completely in the dark. I’ve got a rough date to aim for but no actual confirmed date just yet.”
The wait has been long. But Smith is convinced the fight will be worth it. “It’s frustrating,” Smith said but added, “It was supposed to be early June, then end of June and what not. It’s been a while. But it’s the fight I want and I said I was prepared to wait however long it took to get this fight. So I can’t really complain about the fact that I’m waiting to get this fight.”
