Skip to content

Callum Smith's WBC title fight against Anthony Dirrell could be held at Anfield in May

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 10:  Callum Smith celebrates victory after Super-Middleweight contest at The O2 Arena
Image: Callum Smith will face Anthony Dirrell for the vacant WBC super-middleweight title

Callum Smith's WBC super-middleweight title fight against Anthony Dirrell could be staged at Anfield in May, says promoter Eddie Hearn.

The Merseysider will battle Dirrell for the vacant title, which was relinquished by Badou Jack last month, and the home of Liverpool football club is being considered as a venue.

Smith has already fought at Everton's ground when he appeared on the undercard of Tony Bellew's WBC cruiserweight title win over Ilunga Makabu at Goodison Park last May.

Anthony Dirrell
Image: Anthony Dirrell stands in the way of Smith's bid to become a world champion

Dirrell is reluctant to travel, but will be obliged to come to Britain if Hearn wins the expected purse bids for the fight.

"I think that will go to purse bids," Hearn told Sky Sports. "Dirrell doesn't want to come to the UK, as his brother didn't. I don't think they are going to accept any offers.

I would love Anfield. I would like to do it at Anfield.
Eddie Hearn

"If we win the purse bid, they will come, they will have to come. We will wait and see on that I think.

"I would love Anfield. I would like to do it at Anfield."

Also See:

The unbeaten Smith is mandatory challenger for the WBC title and had hoped to face the winner of Jack's unification clash with fellow British fighter James DeGale.

James DeGale, Badou Jack
Image: IBF champion James DeGale remains open to a fight against Smith after his draw with Badou Jack

Jack decided to move up in weight after last month's draw in New York and Smith will instead take on the WBC's highest-ranked challenger Dirrell, despite talk of a possible domestic clash with IBF champion DeGale.

"We have gone a long way with the WBC," said Hearn. "People are talking about the DeGale fight for the IBF, but we have invested a huge amount of time with the WBC to get that position and he wants that belt, so his preference is to fight Anthony Dirrell."

Grab a NOW TV Sky Sports Day Pass and watch the top of the table clash, Chelsea v Arsenal, for just £6.99. No contract

Around Sky