Let’s be honest, the Callum Smith and David Benavidez clash was supposed to happen back in 2019 itself. It would have been a unification bout in the super middleweight division. Since both were champions in the 168-pound division at the time. However, both of them had their own title obligations. While Benavidez was tied to defend his WBC belt against Avni Yildirim in a mandatory title defense, the Liverpool-born had gone on to fight Canelo Alvarez.
Then again, Smith losing to Alvarez turned Eddie Hearn’s plans to dust. And the 34-year-old expressed that it was time to move up to 175 pounds, to the light heavyweight division. That had surely destroyed any chances of Benavidez and Smith coming together for a match-off. But it turns out Alvarez had frustrated Benavidez too much. The Mexican, denying to fight him, pushed the 28-year-old to the point where El Bandera Roja decided to move up to where Smith is currently at.
Now, Smith has rebounded from his losses to Alvarez and Artur Beterbiev. Just 2 months ago, he perfectly outclassed Joshua Buatsi, becoming the WBO interim light heavyweight champion. Meanwhile, Benavidez, who had moved up in 2024, is currently the undefeated WBC and WBA interim champ. So, what’s next? Naturally, an awaited Benavidez-Smith matchup, one that has always been a near miss. Title pursuits, weight class shifts, stalled negotiations, and whatnot. Most of all, talks for a potential bout are intensifying.
And Paul Smith, the British boxer’s brother, has some candid perspectives on who would get a shot at the undisputed status in the division. Stakes are high, and family loyalty didn’t cloud Paul Smith’s analysis of this explosive showdown. After all, the victor could be fighting Dmitry Bivol next.
In an interview with IFL TV, David Benavidez shared, when asked if Benavidez could be his next opponent, “I’ve seen Eddie. Then he said he’s got a few meetings this week. And he’ll let me know what the plan is. I’ve had a bit of rest after my fights. I’m back in the gym now and ready to see what the next move is. Regardless of who it is, I know I’m in a good position. So it’ll be a good fight either way.”
Continuing confidently, the 31-2 boxer went on, “He’s [David Benavidez] a very good fighter. Someone I like, I rate. We both [were] world champions at the same time, down at 168 [pounds]. And it was a fight I’ve always thought would happen at some point. It probably should have happened back then. It didn’t. But now we’re both at 175 [pounds].”
Surely, Smith is looking forward to finally meeting Benavidez in the ring. “It’s a fight that I like. I think stylistically, it should be a good one as well. So, we’ll see if that’s the next option. I’m sure it’ll be a good one.” Hopping onto the conversation, Paul Smith expresses his predictions regarding the matchup. And mind you, he wasn’t biased at all.
When reported, Kugan Cassius asked about who would win the bout. Paul Smith swiftly replied, “F***ing silly question. You’ll have every one of those little boxing vixens now. ‘ He’s going to pick his f***ing brother, isn’t he? It’s a good fight. A great fight. Obviously, Benavidez is a quality fighter. He’s in a great position. And I don’t need to speak for him [Benavidez]. Let’s see what fight comes. Whether it’s Benavidez or the others out there. It’s up to the team behind him [Callum Smith]. But excited. It doesn’t matter who he [Smith] fights; he’s very confident, obviously.”
@CallumSmith23 confirms talks to fight @Benavidez300 have started.
CLICK LINK FOR FULL INTERVIEW https://t.co/wDROPQx2gf #boxing #callumsmith #eddiehearn pic.twitter.com/uYwKIccfgb
— IFL TV (@IFLTV) April 21, 2025
Well, Paul Smith’s comments seem to be on point. Both fighters are in a great position, with world and interim titles. Which will only make the bout competitive and interesting to watch. Adding more to Callum Smith’s recent position, his brother continued, “The [Joshua] Buatsi fight went to plan. Or as it should’ve. As we believed. Especially how he [Callum Smith] always believes. He’s always known. He’s the best knight ever in Britain. And we’ve always known and felt that. But, you’ve got to, obviously, prove that when it matters. And he did.”
Now, you would be thinking that Paul Smith is refusing to blindly back his brother for the Benavidez showdown. But there is a reason for that. Remember when Callum Smith fought Canelo Alvarez? Well, before the bout, Paul Smith had made a prediction too. He seems to have learned from boxing’s brutal realities.
Paul Smith sobered from his Callum Smith-Alvarez predictions.
Paul Smith has never shielded himself from candid assessments. Before his brother was going to fight The Mexican Monster, Paul Smith had famously predicted that his brother would knock Canelo out. “I’m not going to say he’s going to win because he’s my brother. He’s going to win because he’s a quality fighter. I see Callum knocking Canelo out cold and closing the show with a highlight reel knockout, which we know he’s capable of doing. I’m massively confident, and the game plan that he’s been working on in the gym looks brilliant,” he’d said to IFL TV, predicting the bout.
Only for Paul Smith to be humbled when Alvarez won by unanimous decision in the December 2020 bout. That sure must have humbled him, because this time, he actually has respect for Benavidez’s undefeated record at 30-0, 24 KOs. Considering that Benavidez holds two titles, one interim and one complete, as of now, it only adds to his upper edge. Paul Smith is coming with a measured perspective this time. While also acknowledging his brother’s victories after his Beterbiev loss.
Overall, a potential fight between Benavidez and Callum Smith looks highly likely. Especially with the Dmitry Bivol-Artur Beterbiev trilogy, Bivol vacating his WBC belt this month, and Benavidez pointing to Callum Smith next. But then again, there are no official announcements that confirm the bout. Also, Eddie Hearn may plan a cruiserweight move for Callum Smith as well. So, who knows? As talks progress for a Las Vegas or Anfield showdown, Paul’s insight underscores the fight’s magnitude, a clash that could reshape the light heavyweight division.
Do you think that Benavidez-Smith is inevitable from happening now?
The post Refusing to Blindly Side With Brother Callum Smith, Paul Smith Gets Real on David Benavidez Fight appeared first on EssentiallySports.
