Callum Smith is moving on.
Amid expectations that an announcement about Canelo Alvarez’s opponent for May 2 is imminent, only one thing is certain: It won’t be Smith.
Smith told Sky Sports that he got an offer, said no and never heard from Alvarez’s representatives again.
“I’m disappointed,’’ Smith said.’’ It wasn’t a fight I ever believed that I’d get. But to get an official offer, you start thinking of ways to beat him. It was a fight I wanted.’’
Instead, Smith believes Alvarez (53-1-2, 36 KOs) will fight fellow U.K. super middleweight Billy Joe Saunders (29-0, 14 KOs). There were multiple reports Thursday that deal was done. As of Sunday, however, there still had been no formal announcement.
“Good luck to Billy Joe,’’ Smith (27-0, 19 KOs) said. “I hope he goes out and does it. But I don’t think they ever really wanted me anyway. They were just covering their own backs. They made one offer. It was the first and last I heard. They have been negotiating with Billy Joe for the past few weeks. I don’t believe it was close to being done.
“… We’re both world champions but I’m No 1 in the division. Billy Joe is a good fighter who has paid his dues. I believe that I’m the tougher fight for Canelo but we’re both world champions, so we’re both tough for him.”