Callum Smith's Anfield Dream Fight Hits Major Stumbling Blocks

[Ruthless-RKO]

Callum Smith's dream of fighting at Anfield has hit major stumbling blocks, but trainer Joe Gallagher still hopes the world champion will receive a homecoming title defence.

The 28-year-old super-middleweight had wanted to make the first defence of his WBA 'super' title at the home of Liverpool football club, after claiming the belt with a knockout of George Groves in the World Boxing Super Series final in September.

But Gallagher admits the cost of securing the 54,000 seated stadium and preferred opponent Andre Ward has complicated plans for a fight in May.

"There's lots of hurdles we have to overcome yet, from what I'm hearing," Gallagher told Sky Sports. "I'm led to believe as well it's cheaper to hire out Wembley than it is Anfield, which is really disappointing.

"Liverpool boxing fans, the city itself have been screaming for a huge event, a boxing event, for it to happen in the city, and with it [Anfield] getting its entertainment licence, everyone thought it was all systems go.

"But until they be more reasonable with their hiring and the pricing of the venue, of the stadium, and not only that then, there's other factors - getting the right dance partner for Callum Smith."

Ward's manager has hinted he could return from retirement for a major fight, with Smith and cruiserweight king Oleksandr Usyk named as possible opponents for the 34-year-old.

Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez and a unification fight with Gilberto Ramirez remain other options for Smith, although Gallagher remains hopeful that Ward can be lured back to the sport by a lucrative fight against the Liverpudlian.

[Ruthless-RKO]

TBH, I don't know why they want Andre Ward.. He'd going to want a lot of money.. on top of that, looks like Anfield is gonna be hard to book..

Bellew fought Makabu at Goodison. He wasn't exactly a big name was he, but with his record, they sold him as a solid opponent.

[tigermoth87]

Ward is a,weird choice.

high risk, nobody cares about him, boring as he'll to watch, not a belt holder, he'll demand a lot of money.

I'd go for Ramirez. He's not a huge name but he's the #2 guy in the division, has a good record and has a belt Callum can snag.

[Floyd the snake]

As good as Callum's win was against Groves i still think they would have no chance of filling 54 k Anfield , they would do well to reach 20 k Callum is simply not a big enough attraction in Liverpool , if u compare him to Warrington /Leeds situation where Josh is so popular across the city and they did 20 k at Elland Road think Eddie realises this and coming out with the cost of Wembley /Anfield is just his usual bull shit .

[Ruthless-RKO]

As good as Callum's win was against Groves i still think they would have no chance of filling 54 k Anfield , they would do well to reach 20 k Callum is simply not a big enough attraction in Liverpool , if u compare him to Warrington /Leeds situation where Josh is so popular across the city and they did 20 k at Elland Road think Eddie realises this and coming out with the cost of Wembley /Anfield is just his usual bull poo .

Liverpool is a a boxing city. Casual fans will buy tickets, boxing fans will buy tickets. He could probably do around 25k to 30k.. depending on opponent too.. Warrington did around 27k at Leeds apparently.. some way it was an inflated figure and more close to 25k.. Still decent. Also, I don't think they expect to fill out 54k at Anfield anyway..

Anfield are being pricks. Dying for a fight? Finally get their entertainment license, then charging more than Wembley?

Might as well just do Wembley and tarp of all the top tiers.

According to some reports, Bellew only did between 15k to 18k at Goodison, which holds 39k.

[Oiky]

TBH, I don't know why they want Andre Ward.. He'd going to want a lot of money.. on top of that, looks like Anfield is gonna be hard to book..

Bellew fought Makabu at Goodison. He wasn't exactly a big name was he, but with his record, they sold him as a solid opponent.

Agreed, not much business brain behind that choice is there..

[Ruthless-RKO]

TBH, I don't know why they want Andre Ward.. He'd going to want a lot of money.. on top of that, looks like Anfield is gonna be hard to book..

Bellew fought Makabu at Goodison. He wasn't exactly a big name was he, but with his record, they sold him as a solid opponent.

Agreed, not much business brain behind that choice is there..

BIt annoying as well, ever since Froch-Groves II.. There's been a weird obsession with Boxing and football stadiums in the UK.... Everyone wants to fight in their local stadium..

[banjo]

I don't see Bon Jovi or Pink moaning about the costs of hiring Anfield.

Oi! Tesco! If you think it's too much there's an Arena in the city which was specifically built for events like boxing.

[Ruthless-RKO]

I don't see Bon Jovi or Pink moaning about the costs of hiring Anfield.

Oi! Tesco! If you think it's too much there's an Arena in the city which was specifically built for events like boxing.

Maybe it's because it'll be a complete loss after they've paid Ward.. He wants PPV money.. What's Smith's purse supposed to be? £1m?

[Cyclops]

TBH, I don't know why they want Andre Ward.. He'd going to want a lot of money.. on top of that, looks like Anfield is gonna be hard to book..

Bellew fought Makabu at Goodison. He wasn't exactly a big name was he, but with his record, they sold him as a solid opponent.

Agreed, not much business brain behind that choice is there..

BIt annoying as well, ever since Froch-Groves II.. There's been a weird obsession with Boxing and football stadiums in the UK.... Everyone wants to fight in their local stadium..

It’s not really. Chisora-Haye and Mitchell-Katsidis were both at Upton Park, and they pre-dated Froch-Groves 2. Mitchell specifically as he was a Hammer (in both senses of the word)

[Ruthless-RKO]

It’s not really. Chisora-Haye and Mitchell-Katsidis were both at Upton Park, and they pre-dated Froch-Groves 2. Mitchell specifically as he was a Hammer (in both senses of the word)

What I mean is, you didn't have boxers saying they wanted to fight in stadiums. The Haye-Chisora fight was just made for Upton park.. Ever since though, any Brit that wins a world title, the first article that comes out, they're constantly talking about fighting at their clubs stadium.

It's all Smith/Galagher/Hearn have spoken about.. Anfield, Ward, Canelo..

Why not focus on actually having that first defence.

[Cyclops]

It’s not really. Chisora-Haye and Mitchell-Katsidis were both at Upton Park, and they pre-dated Froch-Groves 2. Mitchell specifically as he was a Hammer (in both senses of the word)

What I mean is, you didn't have boxers saying they wanted to fight in stadiums. The Haye-Chisora fight was just made for Upton park.. Ever since though, any Brit that wins a world title, the first article that comes out, they're constantly talking about fighting at their clubs stadium.

It's all Smith/Galagher/Hearn have spoken about.. Anfield, Ward, Canelo..

Why not focus on actually having that first defence.

They just want to make money, I suppose. Boxing is big these days, so they need big venues to accommodate it. You’re right it’s annoying but the sport has really outgrown itself here.

[Ruthless-RKO]

They just want to make money, I suppose. Boxing is big these days, so they need big venues to accommodate it. You’re right it’s annoying but the sport has really outgrown itself here.

I agree.. Boxing in Britain is probably at an all-time high..

TBH, They probably just make about the same amount if not slightly more in a stadium..

The promoters will always adjust ticket prices.. The less there are available, the more they'll charge per ticket.. The more seats available, they'd have a wider range..

All it is really is having a bigger attendance.

Like I said, Bellew did 15k to 18k at Goodison.. That probably wasn't about money.. He just wanted to fight at his 'beloved' Everton.

[tobyh5]

I read the thread title of "Callum Smith's Anfield Dream Fight Hits Major Stumbling Blocks" and assumed the follow up was "because Smith cannot sell out a phone booth as although a good fighter, he lacks any charisma and is one of the detestable Smith brothers."

[KiwiRider]

I read the thread title of "Callum Smith's Anfield Dream Fight Hits Major Stumbling Blocks" and assumed the follow up was "because Smith cannot sell out a phone booth as although a good fighter, he lacks any charisma and is one of the detestable Smith brothers."

Haha, nice one
But he is actually the least detestable of the Smith brothers.
He is also the best of the Smith brothers.

[oogiebe]

Ward/Usyk? I think that's a stretch for Ward, whom I loved.

[Ruthless-RKO]

What weight is this fight supposed to be? Can’t expect Ward to lose 20+ pounds.

[oogiebe]

What weight is this fight supposed to be? Can’t expect Ward to lose 20+ pounds.

Not sure, as the poster didn't specify. My guess would be at LHW as I can't imagine Ward going down as you stated. I just can't see it.

[lillywhite14]

I cant imagine those in charge are ‘dying for a fight’ at Anfield

Much bigger fish to try with them boys.

Why not try Goodison? He’s not representing a team is he. It’s in his hometown and seemingly a lot cheaper.

[tony1234]

Have to build his name up first to get the demand for him, put an easy defence for him on SKY and create a hype job. If they go PPV this early they've had it

[Ruthless-RKO]

Have to build his name up first to get the demand for him, put an easy defence for him on SKY and create a hype job. If they go PPV this early they've had it

That’s it. These fights now seem to want to cash in. Callum could be a long reigning world champion at 168 as long as he can make weight. He isn’t exactly that old. He’s won the world title at the right time. He could have won the WBC belt 2 years ago to be truthful. But decided to enter WBSS and it paid off.

He needs a nice defence at Manchester Arena. Never mind Echo. That only holds 11k.. he could do 18k at MEN with a good local undercard. By local I mean anyone in the Lancashire area. Get Quigg, And guys like and a few others on the card. Smith himself would be the reason for most of the ticket sales anyway.

How many Scouses would have travelled to Jeddah? This will be the perfect homecoming fight/defence.

They need an opponent that’s winnable but a good name. Hearn needs to forget Anfield/Wembley and Ward for now.. just let him build his own brand.

[mickey1975]

Callum needs a dance partner to filll The Manchester Arena.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Callum needs a dance partner to filll The Manchester Arena.

Any they could get him one. He ain’t selling it in his own. Definately not.

[Cyclops]

What weight is this fight supposed to be? Can’t expect Ward to lose 20+ pounds.

Ward's a cruiserweight now and even though I hate the guy's persona he's a legit badass Harry Greb style cheat and Smith would be smart to stay well away from him. If Ward had owned the straight psychopath approach he took to Kovalev in the second fight he would be much More fondly remembered. I think he's a dirty fighting straight killer, and anybody with any sense around his weightclass wants to stay away.

As it is I don't like him and neither do most people.

[ewenhay]

How could it be a title defence? No way Ward makes super middle.

It would just be a non title fight surely?