Callum Smith likely to make U.S. return in next fight

WBC and WBA super middleweight champion Callum Smith looks set to return to the United States in his next fight, as promoter Eddie Hearn is targeting his return on one of Matchroom’s big cards for this spring.

Smith (25-0, 18 KO) could potentially return on May 18, when it looks like Oleksandr Usyk will face Alexander Povetkin in Chicago, or it could be on June 1, as part of the Joshua-Miller card in New York.

Smith is coming off of easily the biggest win of his career, defeating and ultimately retiring George Groves on Sept. 28 in Saudi Arabia. That win gave Smith the two belts plus the World Boxing Super Series trophy, and now he’s recognized as the top 168-pound fighter in the world.

At 28, Smith was hoping to have his follow-up fight at Anfield, the home of football’s Liverpool F.C., but no big name opponents were available, and any plans there fell apart. It’s still possible for the future, of course, but right now the focus is just on getting Smith a fight.

Smith has previously fought once in the United States, knocking out Abraham Hernandez in the first round on the Porter-Brook card in California in 2014, back when Smith was just a young prospect.