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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Connor O'Neill

'I believe' - Callum Smith makes Mathieu Bauderlique prediction after Jeddah weigh-in

Callum Smith cut a confident figure on the scales at 12 stone, 6lb and 11oz ahead of his light-heavyweight contest against Mathieu Bauderlique.

Smith can take a step closer to becoming a two-weight world champion when he faces Bauderlique on the undercard of the rematch between Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah on Saturday night.

The former Archbishop Beck student was last in action on the undercard of the first meeting between the two heavyweights at the home of Tottenham Hotspur in September, destroying Lenin Castillo with a brutal second round KO.

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The victory saw 'Mundo' return to winning ways after he suffered his first, and only, career defeat to Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez at San Antonio’s Alamodome back in December 2020.

Bauderlique, who weighed in at 12st 6lb, 8oz on Friday, is currently France’s reigning European Champion, and ranked No.2 by the WBC after retiring Igor Mikhalkin in seven rounds in his last outing.

"I feel good, I feel strong at this weight, hopefully I can take the confidence into the ring,” Smith said after stepping off the scales.

"I've got new goals and that's to become a two-weight champion. I feel very good, I think when I'm good I can beat anybody in the world."

While speaking at the pre-fight press conference, Smith said: "It's must-win. I think every fight is must-win at this stage in your career. I'm in a busy division, a packed division where there's a lot of fighters waiting for a shot at the World Title.

“A loss here puts me at the back of the queue - and it's a very big queue to go to the back of. A win here puts me at the front of the queue, it puts me next in line to fight for the World Title. That's the goal. I've been there before down at 168 and I believe I'm good enough to do it at 175.

“It's a must-win and I'm excited, it's a big show and a big platform to perform on. Hopefully I can get the business done and move onto a World Title. It's been good to be here and good to get back here.

“Obviously I've got the best memories from being here, becoming a World Champion. There's a good buzz around the place this time round.

“Obviously it's a great main event but I'm here to do a job and that's win. I left here last time as a World Champion. I believe I'll leave here this time ready to fight for a new one."

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