Saturday 29 October 2016 00:56, UK
Callum Smith awaits the winner of James DeGale's unification clash with Badou Jack and vows to collect both world titles in 2017.
The 26-year-old super-middleweight is the mandatory challenger for WBC champion Jack, who has agreed to face IBF title holder DeGale on January 14.
Smith stayed active with a stoppage win in September as negotiations for the DeGale-Jack fight dragged on, and the winner will be ordered to defend against the Liverpudlian within a few months.
"I'm in a good position and I know after this fight, then my next fight will be for two world titles," Smith exclusively told Sky Sports. "So I'll kill two birds with one stone.
"I know it will be the next fight. They will not be allowed to have another fight in between, so it shouldn't be too long.
"They'll speak to whoever wins that fight and myself and come to an agreement with a date."
DeGale has proven himself at world level with wins over Andre Dirrell and Lucian Bute, while Jack displayed his threat by dropping George Groves in a points win. But Smith would welcome a fight with either man.
"I'm not fussed, I'm not just saying that," said Smith, who holds a 21-fight unbeaten record. "They have both got plus sides for me.
DeGale is British and we've seen in the past how the public love a domestic fight for a world title, so I think that would be a bigger fight profile-wise.
"Stylistically Jack is orthodox and he's based in Vegas. Every kid dreams of fighting in Vegas for a world title.
"DeGale is British and we've seen in the past how the public love a domestic fight for a world title, so that would be a bigger fight profile-wise. May the best man win and I look forward to challenging whoever wins it."
DeGale has vowed to prove he is the world's No 1 super-middleweight and Smith expects the Olympic gold medallist to claim another memorable triumph on a big stage.
As a youngster, Smith admits he was a fan of DeGale while following him in the amateur ranks, although his respect would be put to one side if they compete for a world title in the coming months.
"I've been a fan of his for a long time," revealed Smith. "When he was 18, 19, he was on the same England team as my brother and I remember watching him in the ABAs, the Commonwealth Games, the Olympics.
"I've been a fan of his style, but I do think I've got the beating of him and I'm different to anyone he's faced previously.
"People haven't seen the best of me yet and I'll raise my game for a world title. It will be a tough fight and a good fight to watch, but I do think I'll be a world champion next year."
