Main Events CEO Kathy Duva, who promotes WBO light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev, says her boxer has no problem with facing an undefeated world champion like Callum Smith, who holds the WBA world title at 168-pounds.
In a recent interview, Smith's trainer, Joe Gallagher, explained that his fighter was willing to move up to face Kovalev at 175-pounds.
"The unification fights, that's what we want, that's what we've said to Eddie Hearn," said Gallagher to Sky Sports. "They're the big fights we want, and even with Kovalev winning at the weekend, there's a possibility if no one wants to dance with us at super middleweight, that we'd move up and fight Kovalev. I think that would get everyone excited, but they're the type of fights we want for Callum Smith."
Kovalev's career is back in full force after re-capturing the WBO world title with a dominant twelve round decision over Eleider Alvarez.
Last August, Kovalev's future was on the ropes after getting knocked out by Alvarez in seven rounds.
Smith elevated his standing in the weight class back in 2018, after knocking out George Groves to win the World Boxing Super Series tournament - and also led him to capture the WBA crown.
Duva indicates that Smith has been a potential target for Kovalev for some time.
"As my friend Barry Hearn well knows, Callum Smith has been on our wish list for a long time. Sergey is now back on top of the division. He has never avoided fighting anyone," Duva told Sky Sports.
"As far as we are concerned, the contenders should all line up and he will take them one at a time. It's refreshing to see a young champion who is willing to challenge himself. I know that Sergey respects that and so do I. That's what boxing should be about."
2023-10-22 18:50:34
