Tuesday 8 March 2016 09:04, UK
Callum Smith is happy to ignore George Groves' claims as he gets ready to earn a shot at the WBC super-middleweight world title.
The 25-year-old from Liverpool takes on the experienced Hadillah Mohoumadi (20-3-1-KO15) on April 2, live on Sky Sports, in an official title eliminator.
As soon as the fight was confirmed, former world title challenger Groves' promoters, the Sauerlands, lodged a complaint suggesting the Londoner should be given another chance after losing a split decision to current title holder Badou Jack, out in Las Vegas, last September.
As far as I am concerned I am the No 1 challenger and win this fight then I am the mandatory challenger, so the rest can take care of itself
The appeal was turned down by the WBC and they confirmed that Smith (18-0-KO13) is their No 1 challenger, leaving him clear to secure an official world title challenge later this year by beating Mohoumadi on April 2.
"It doesn't bother me," he told Sky Sports' Toe 2 Toe podcast.
"I always will - and always have - fight whoever's put in front of me. I was offered Mohoumadi for the European title and a final eliminator regardless if Groves believes it should've been him or not.
"I am No 1 in the WBC so I know I should be in that fight. Whether it should be Mohoumadi in the corner it's not really for me to say, it's not my choice, I just got given the chance and accepted it.
"But as far as I am concerned I am the No 1 challenger and win this fight then I am the mandatory challenger, so the rest can take care of itself."
Smith, who was on Soccer AM debut last weekend, says he is not too fussed who he will be fighting when the WBC title is on the line.
Current IBF world champion James DeGale - who was taken the full distance by Mohoumadi in 2012 - has been trying to secure a unification fight with Jack, who is part of Team Mayweather.
But whether it is compatriot DeGale or Sweden-born Jack who holds the WBC super-middleweight strap, Smith has no doubt it will be heading to Liverpool.
"Nothing is straightforward in boxing and if I do win this one I will be the mandatory challenger for the WBC title - whether DeGale fights Jack before me or Jack could lose it before then," Smith added.
"I don't know whether it affects me but sooner or later I will get my shot and I do believe I will win it, whether it's right after this one or if I have to wait a bit longer.
"I am only 25, so I am not really in a rush so as long as I guarantee myself the mandatory position, then I am not really too fussed who I fight for it or where I fight for it, but I am 100 per cent confident I will win it."
You can hear more from Callum Smith as well as brother Stephen and his own world title challenge on this week's Toe 2 Toe podcast. Available Wednesday evening here.
