Callum Smith dismisses concerns about being made to travel for WBC title clash with Anthony Dirrell
Monday 6 March 2017 16:08, UK
Callum Smith was not shocked about being forced to travel for his WBC super-middleweight title fight with Anthony Dirrell and hopes to defend the belt at Anfield.
The Liverpudlian is expected to make his American debut after Dirrell's promotional team won purse bids for the bout at the weekend.
Smith's promoter Eddie Hearn had identified Liverpool's football ground as a potential venue, but the former British champion is not concerned about fighting for the vacant WBC belt on US soil instead.
He exclusively told Sky Sports: "I've always said in the past how I would love to win a world title in Liverpool, but travelling to win one in America wouldn't really bother me too much.
"I've always wanted to fight over there. I have been over there for other shows and I've travelled with my brothers when they fought for world titles, so it won't be a bit unknown for me. I've been there before. It's not the best outcome, but it's not the worst.
"We always knew it was a possibility and a strong possibility as well. I wasn't as shocked as most people. I see Eddie [Hearn] has took a bit of stick, with people saying 'why did you lose the bid?' But if someone bids more than you expect then it's hard to win it."
The unbeaten 26-year-old believes the Dirrell fight could take place at the end of May or early June and is awaiting further details on the venue.
If Smith returns to Britain with the WBC belt, then he remains eager to defend the title in front of his hometown fans.
"Anfield is not going anywhere, it will always be there, and as long as I can win a world title then I would think that dream still is there for next May. I would love to do it eventually," he said.
"Challenging for it there would be good, but hopefully I can win one and defend it there next year. It would be even better. It's still there, it's just a little further down the line than we hoped."
