“I just want the world title, a two-weight world champion,” Smith told Sky Sports. “I’ve been there before at 168. I want the Ring Magazine belt.”
“I think I can get back to where I was, and a win over David Morrell puts me very close to being there,” Smith said. “Can I go back and rebuild if I lose? No, I don’t think I have the time or the effort to want to do that.”
No mention of walking back or taking a different route. Smith ties the rest of his career to one result against David Morrell, and understandably so. He doesn’t have the youth to go through a lengthy four-year rebuild if he loses to the Cuban.
“A win puts me very, very close to what I wanted to accomplish,” Smith said. “A loss, that’s probably the end of the road.”
Winning would put Smith in line for a shot at a world title and a massive payday that comes with it at light heavyweight. However, it is likely that Callum will still have to wait in line for a crack at the belts at 175, while the fights between Dmitri Bivol, Artur Beterbiev and David Benavidez play out.
Morrell, undefeated and still building his standing at 175, represents the kind of opponent that doesn’t allow for careful planning. This is a fight that requires something close to a full show, not a step towards one.
Smith has been on top before. The question now is whether he can achieve it again without the time usually required to work his way back.
Smith (31-1, 22 KOs) will defend his WBO interim light heavyweight title against #1-ranked David Morrell (12-1, 9 KOs) in a 12-round fight on April 18, 2026 at the Liverpool Arena in Liverpool, England. The event will be streamed on DAZN.
