Callum Smith looks to maintain his undefeated record next month in a WBC super-middleweight title eliminator, which he feels he can and will.
Smith faces Nikola Sjekloca as he seeks to prove that he’s a genuine title contender but with his Serbian opponent only beaten by WBO champion Arthur Abraham and former WBC champions Sakio Bika previously he knows what a battle he has on his hands at the sold out Echo Arena in Liverpool.
It’s a fight that he’s ready for and feels the step-up is one he can cope with mind.
He told Sky Sports: ‘I am expecting a tough 12 rounds because it’s a massive step-up in class.
‘He’s only lost two fights and they were to world champions so I know I am in a massive step-up, but one that I’m ready for. I wouldn’t ask for a fight like this if I didn’t feel I was ready.
‘A lot of eyebrows were raised when the fight was made, but I feel ready for it and it’s time for me to back up the hype and add my name to theirs.’
The 24-year-old sees 2015 as being a ‘massive year’ for him too, providing of course he wins this upcoming fight on the 22nd November, which if he does he feels that ‘this time next year’ whoever the champion is he will be hard to overlook as a challenger and would be ‘confident of winning’ too.
James DeGale and George Groves, who both fight on that Liverpool bill too, are also contenders that he’s battling against but he’s pushing them hard, a win that night will push them even further.
Smith Eager To Prove Himself
