LIGHT-HEAVYWEIGHT operators Callum Smith and Anthony Yarde are yet to reach a deal, while WBC world champion David Benavidez continues to search for an opponent.
Speculation over their potential domestic dustup has mounted in recent weeks, with certain reports suggesting that the pair could square off in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, this August.
But while the intriguing matchup is certainly being explored, both parties seemingly remain a fair distance away from dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s.
Of the two, Smith, 31-2 (22 KOs), has largely established himself as the leading contender at 175lbs following his unanimous decision victory over Joshua Buatsi back in February.
Despite entering their showdown as a slight underdog, the former world champion nonetheless outlasted his previously unbeaten opponent in a brutal 12-round war.
In doing so, ‘Mundo’ successfully claimed Buatsi’s WBO interim strap but, due to a Dmitry Bivol-Artur Beterbiev trilogy taking place later this year, must now wait a short while longer before his mandatory position is enforced.
David Benavidez vs Callum Smith?
Benavidez, 30-0 (24 KOs), however, represents a possible option for Smith, with the American still needing a dance partner after getting elevated from interim to full WBC champion.
And yet, while Smith could secure himself a second shot at light-heavyweight world honours, it would appear that Yarde, 27-3 (24 KOs), has emerged as a more likely option.
The 33-year-old comes off an uninspiring points victory over Lyndon Arthur, which followed a string of far less meaningful fights that arrived after his stoppage defeat to Beterbiev in 2023.
But even so, a clash between Smith and Yarde remains nonetheless appealing, with Frank Smith of Matchroom Boxing, Callum Smith’s promoter, highlighting the matchup as a realistic option.
“I don’t think anything’s done yet,” Matchroom CEO Smith told Boxing News. “But that’s a fight that has been spoken about, a lot. It could definitely make sense.
“There’s also been talk about a Callum Smith-David Benavidez fight previously, so let’s see how things play out.”
