Callum Smith could appear on a stacked Riyadh Season after Vergil Ortiz Jr and Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis’ potential showdown for February 22 grows increasingly doubtful.
The two American stars were expected to collide in a mouthwatering dustup, featuring on a card that is set to deliver the eagerly anticipated rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.
Not only that, but IBF world heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois is likely to defend his title against seasoned operator Joseph Parker on the same night.
With Jaron Ennis seemingly ruling himself out of a super welterweight clash against Ortiz, though, it appears that Smith could now be presented with a monumental opportunity.
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Eddie Hearn teases a potential matchup between Callum Smith and Joshua Buatsi
Having been sent an offer to face Ortiz up at super welterweight, IBF welterweight titlist Ennis must now reach a decision regarding the future of his career.
Of course, the all-American dustup is perhaps his most lucrative option but, at the same time, the 27-year-old has expressed a desire to unify the 147 lb division.
As the fight with Ortiz continues to slip away, however, former world super middleweight champion Callum Smith could indeed strike while the iron is hot.
The 34-year-old returned to the ring last night, following his brutal seventh-round stoppage defeat to light heavyweight king Beterbiev earlier this year.
And now, after dusting off the cobwebs with a fifth-round finish over Carlos Galvan, Smith is seemingly on course to face domestic rival Joshua Buatsi.
“[Smith vs. Buatsi] was already in discussions [for February 22], as well as Ennis and Ortiz,” Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn told Boxing News.
“Jaron’s got to make a fast decision about what weight he’s going to give and if he’ll vacate the belt – and I’m not sure he’s going to do that.
“We’ll have to see what happens, but Callum Smith against Buatsi is a fight that we’d love.”
Callum Smith could face the winner of Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol 2
Buatsi comes off a strong performance to outpoint sturdy contender Willy Hutchinson on the undercard of Anthony Joshua vs. Dubois.
In doing so, the 31-year-old claimed the WBO interim strap at 175 lbs, catapulting himself into the conversation to face the winner of Beterbiev and Bivol’s potential rematch.
Elsewhere in the division, hard-hitting contender David Benavidez has also been promised a title shot should he get past formidable Cuban David Morrell on February 1.
And so, with Smith and Buatsi looking to become the mandatory challenger for Beterbiev’s crown, there could be a long line of light heavyweight challengers awaiting their opportunity.