Callum Smith is the mandatory challenger for Artur Beterbiev’s WBC light heavyweight title, well kind of.
Let me explain.
Kevin Rooney Jr., who spook on behalf of Matchroom Boxing, requested and wanted clarification toward Callum Smith’s mandated shot at Artur Beterbiev, the current WBC light heavyweight champion.
President Mauricio Sulaiman confirmed Smith’s mandatory status, but Sulaiman stated that the WBC might not actually order Smith’s title shot until after Beterbiev faces Anthony Yarde which is alleged to happen next year.
“I can guarantee the WBC board reviewed on Sunday – Callum Smith is the mandatory,” Sulaiman said in response to Rooney Jr., and Matchroom’s request. “He’s allowed to do an interim fight because Beterbiev is gonna do the WBO mandatory. The winner must fight Callum Smith. Smith is permitted to do a fight. However, if he loses that fight, he will lose his position as mandatory challenger.”
The wildcard in all of this Anthony Yarde has to win his upcoming 10-round tune-up fight against Bulgaria’s Stefani Koykov (14-1, 12 KOs), which is scheduled for November 19 at Telford International Centre in Telford, England. If Yarde loses all bets are off.
It is clear that Beterbiev will face Anthony Yarde, which will then be followed by a mandated fight against Callum Smith, before even getting the chance to become undisputed against Dmitry Bivol.
