Joshua vs Molina: Callum Smith expects James DeGale to beat Badou Jack
Monday 5 December 2016 12:58, UK
Callum Smith is expecting to face James DeGale in an all-British world title fight in 2017.
Smith is tipping the IBF super-middleweight champion to win a unification scrap with WBC holder Badou Jack in New York on January 14.
The youngest of the four famous boxing brothers is the confirmed mandatory challenger to the WBC champion but he is leaning towards his compatriot to bring both belts back and set up an brilliant all-British battle next year.
He told Sky Sports News HQ: "They're both very good fighters, both world champions and both deserve to be there.
"I think if you go on recent performances you could say it's a 50-50, but I think if the both fighters turn up at their best, DeGale should have that little bit more - I fancy him to win."
Smith has been on the verge of a world title fight for the last year, winning the European title in April, boxing on Tony Bellew's Goodison Park undercard in May and then moving up the WBC rankings by stopping Norbert Nemesapati in six rounds in September.
'Mundo' won the British super-middleweight title by blasting local rival Rocky Fielding away at the tail-end of 2015 and defends it for the first time in the Manchester Arena on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
I'm next in line for the winner. I can't perform badly and then sit on the ring apron saying I want to fight the best super-middleweight in the world.
The unbeaten 26-year-old is in against Luke Blackledge (22-2-2-KO7) and although he is the strong favourite, Smith made it clear he will use the fight to send out a warning to the world champions on his radar.
He said: "I'm next in line for the winner. I can't perform badly and then sit on the ring apron saying I want to fight the best super-middleweight in the world.
"I've got to put in a good performance and show them I am good enough to be calling the likes of them out, and I am good enough to beat them. I've had three camps since becoming mandatory, and I feel I've improved with each one.
"The fights haven't been the ones I would have liked, but I've still been in the gym, still working with Joe (Gallagher) and the other lads, so I do feel like I'm a better fighter than I was last year. So when the world title shot does come I will be ready."
Watch Callum Smith v Luke Blackledge on the undercard of Joshua v Molina, on December 10, live on Sky Sports Box Office. Book the event via your Sky remote or online here.
