EDDIE HEARN has told Boxing News that discussions are underway for a potential clash between WBC light-heavyweight champion David Benavidez and Callum Smith.
Hearn, who promotes Smith, is in Atlantic City with his welterweight star Jaron Ennis as the Philadelphian aims to become unified champion against Eimantas Stanionis on Matchroom’s latest U.S. show.
At light-heavyweight, the landscape has shifted. Earlier this week, Benavidez was elevated from WBC interim belt holder to full world champion after undisputed champ Dmitry Bivol relinquished the title. With a trilogy bout between Bivol and Artur Beterbiev likely later this year, Benavidez must seek other challenges.
Callum Smith could be that challenge. The former WBA super-middleweight champion debuted at 175 pounds in September 2021, stopping Gilberto Castillo Rivera in two rounds. The Liverpudlian followed UP with another emphatic knockout of Mathieu Bauderlique. In January 2024, however, he suffered his second career defeat against a relentless Artur Beterbiev. Smith bounced back in February with an impressive points victory over Joshua Buatsi, earning the WBO interim title.
Hearn credited improved promoter relations for fuelling efforts to make top-tier fights. Benavidez, promoted by Sampson Lewkowicz, fights under the Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) banner. Hearn revealed that he and Luis De Cubas Jr., a key figure in PBC’s operations, have been exploring matchups between PBC and Matchroom fighters.
“We’re talking to Luis about Benavidez against Callum Smith, about Dalton Smith against [Alberto] Puello, [Mark] Magsayo against Rocky Hernandez. We could put a whole card together and it’s great for the sport.”
On the Benavidez-Smith talks, Hearn added: “We’re discussing that fight with Luis. No firm offers made but tell me another fight that Benavidez could make. That light heavyweight division is actually quite thin at the top in terms of big names. I think Callum’s got great options ahead. He’s going to be mandatory to Dmitri Bivol you’ve got the potential [Anthony] Yarde fight on a 5v5, you’ve got the Benavidez fight. It’s really interesting and I think David Benavidez against Callum Smith is a hell of a fight.”
