Super middleweight world titlist Callum Smith is coming home to defend his belt.
Smith will make his second defense when he faces interim titlist and mandatory challenger John Ryder on Nov. 23 (DAZN) at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, England, Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn announced on Friday.
“I always love coming to Liverpool but when one of their own headlines in a world title fight, there’s nothing quite like it,” Hearn said. “I’m so happy Callum gets this chance to return to the city as champion in a brilliant domestic fight. Callum has established himself as the No. 1 super middleweight on the planet right now and John Ryder is on a brilliant run.”
Smith (26-0, 19 KOs), 29, of Liverpool, has not boxed at home since a decision win over Erik Skoglund in September 2017, before Smith won his world title. Since then, all three of his fights have been on the road — in Germany, Saudi Arabia and the United States.
“I can’t tell you how excited I am to return to Liverpool as world champion to defend my titles,” Smith said. “It’s always been a dream of mine to bring world championship boxing to the city and hopefully this is the first of a big run of fights here. My last three fights have been on the road and whilst they have been incredible experiences, there is nothing quite like a big fight night in Liverpool. It’s also pleasing that I get to be involved in a domestic fight against a tough opponent in John Ryder.”
Smith won a 168-pound world title by knocking out countryman George Groves in the final of the World Boxing Super Series in September 2018 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. He made his first defense by knocking out former middleweight titlist Hassan N’Dam in the third round on June 1 in New York on the Andy Ruiz Jr.-Anthony Joshua undercard.
Smith said he has respect for Ryder.
“He has fought his way to mandatory challenger and is on a big run of knockout wins that make him full of confidence,” Smith said. “I’m working hard in camp to be at my best and make a statement as we head into a huge 2020. Right now the focus is on Ryder and defending my belts in style in my city.”
Ryder (28-4, 16 KOs), 31, of England, earned the shot at Smith when he won the vacant interim belt by third-round knockout of Bilal Akkawy on May 4 on the Canelo Alvarez-Daniel Jacobs undercard in Las Vegas. He has won four fights in a row against good opposition, all by knockout.
“I’m buzzing to be fighting for the full world title,” Ryder said. “I’ve worked hard to get myself into the mandatory position and keep myself there. I feel like I’m in the form of my life and this opportunity has come at the perfect time. Callum Smith is a great opponent and a great champion but I feel unbeatable at the moment. He’s an undefeated world champion and he hasn’t put a foot out of line so far, so I know what I’m up against on Nov. 23. With the form that I’m in now, I believe that I can beat anyone. I’m confident that I’ll get it right on the night and get the victory.
“People will see me beating Callum as a big upset but I don’t see it like that. I believe that I’ve got the ability to win and that’s what I plan to do. This is the chance that I’ve taken. I’m heading into the lion’s den to get the win.”