Tuesday 30 May 2017 11:46, UK
Callum Smith wants to capture the WBC super-middleweight world title before fighting James DeGale in an all-British blockbuster.
'Mundo' (22-0-KO17) is set to fight Anthony Dirrell for the vacant belt on September 9, in California, and whilst admitting that a domestic encounter with the current IBF titlist was discussed, the Merseysider's preference is to win the WBC strap to ensure a potential unification fight with DeGale.
"There were a lot of rumours I would fight DeGale next at one point," Smith told ESPN boxing.
My plan all along was to win my own world title and bring something to the table before a fight with James
"It only became likely that I might fight him when the WBC was taking so long in announcing my fight with Dirrell, but as soon as they announced it I knew it was the one.
"My plan all along was to win my own world title and bring something to the table before a fight with James.
"He also has his mandatory defence against Andre Dirrell now and I don't know if he can have a fight in between."
Smith could become Britain's third world champion at 168lbs after George Groves stopped Fedor Chudinov inside six rounds on the Brook-Spence Jr undercard, to earn the WBA 'super' title.
However, he is not looking past Dirrell, the former WBC title holder, whose only defeat saw him lose the strap to Badou Jack.
"It's a good fight, he's a former champion and I'm unbeaten," Smith said.
"I'm 100 per cent ready for this fight, it has come at the right time in my career, and it's the fight I want more than any other," Smith said.
Smith's oldest brother, Paul, could follow in the footsteps of DeGale and Groves and become Britain's latest super-middleweight world champion when he challenges WBA 'world' holder Tyron Zeuge, in Germany, on June 17, live on Sky Sports.
