Yahoo News Boxing at Anfield a possibility next year as Callum Smith targets Billy Joe Saunders and Canelo Alvarez fights
Anfield could host a major boxing event next summer with Callum Smith eager to defend his WBC super-middleweight title at Liverpool’s home ground.
Smith puts his championship on the line against Islington’s John Ryder at Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena on Saturday and should he come through that test unscathed, there are plans for a title clash with one of boxing’s elite names next year.
An all-British showdown with WBO super middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders has been mooted with the undefeated 29-year-old also eager to test himself against Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, should the Mexican return to fight at 168lbs following a WBA title win over Rocky Fielding last December.
The hard-hitting Gennady Golovkin is another option for the proud Liverpudlian.
Smith’s promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed in September talks have taken place with Anfield officials and Standard Sport understands the 54,074-capacity stadium has already been given the greenlight to host what could be a huge night for British boxing.
Last September, Liverpool received planning permission to hold six non-football events over the next two-year period. Last summer, Anfield costed concerts for Take That, Bon Jovi and Pink, in addition to the Super League’s Magic Weekend at the end of May.
Standard Sport understands boxing is also covered, possibly paving the way for Smith to fight at the home of his beloved Liverpool if a deal can be struck between club officials and his promoters Matchroom Boxing.
Smith secured a stunning knockout win over George Groves to win his world title in September 2018 before comfortably defending the strap on the undercard of Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz in New York in June.
He returns to fight as a world champion on home turf for the first time against Ryder and Smith insists he isn’t looking past the Londoner, wary his dream fight at Anfield could disappear should he fall short this weekend.
“The fights that have been mentioned with Canelo, Golovkin, the big unification fights, there’re still there providing I come through this fight,” Smith said.
“But if I lose this fight, they disappear. It’s a must win for me and it’s one more step towards those fights.
“I know if I slip up, Anfield is gone. I’m fully focused on this one and if I get this one out of the way, I’ll speak to Eddie Hearn and see if he can deliver me a big fight in 2020.
“I’ve trained hard. I’ve worked hard to become a world champion and I don’t plan on losing it just yet.”
