On Saturday night, in Nuremburg Germany, Callum Harris sealed his place in the World Boxing Super Series super-middleweight final, against George Groves.
Faced with a late change of opponent, with Nieky Holzken replacing the ill Jurgen Brahmer, Smith took the decision via a unanimous points decision.
Odds-on to win, before the fight started, at the end of twelve rounds, the judges scored the fight as thus:
? 117 – 111
? 118 ? 110
? 117 ? 111
All in favour of Callum Smith.
Against the Dutchman, Smith was by far the busier fighter landing many more blows than his opponent.
However, Holzken was a tough opponent and caught Smith with a shot in the third round that saw blood come from Callum?s nose.
Later in the fight Holzken caught Smith with a big-punch in the seventh round, but victory looked to be there for the taking when Smith caught the Dutchman with a huge right uppercut, but the Dutchman survived to hear the bell.
After the bout, Callum Smith had this to say about the fight,
‘There was a lot of pressure on me. People said I would wipe him out early and it plays on your mind.
‘It was an OK performance, not the best. He was awkward, a novice. I couldn’t predict where his shots were coming from. It was safety first. I boxed smart and booked my place in the final.’
Hopefully, that final will be, if he can overcome his injured shoulder, a contest against George Groves.
Does anyone care to predict which way that one might go?
Callum Smith Reaches WBSS Final
