Callum Smith believes he will face George Groves in the final of the World Super Series as he feels the Londoner will win his semi-final showdown with Chris Eubank Jr.
Smith has also battled his way to the last four and faces 39-year-old German southpaw Juergen Braehmer at the Nuremberg Arena next Saturday.
The unbeaten 6ft 3in puncher from Liverpool has won 17 of his 23 victories inside the distance and is supremely confident of battling his way through to the decider later this year.
And it is his belief that it is Groves who will be his opponent after advancing from a tough battle with Brighton-based Eubank Junior in Manchester this weekend.
It is going to be some fight as Groves has lost three times but all the defeats have been to quality opponents – Carl Froch twice and Badou Jack who has since gained a hugely creditable draw with James DeGale – while Eubank Jr has only been beaten by the brilliant Billy Joe Saunders.
‘Groves-Eubank is a good fight, a very good one. The winner will become an even bigger name after the weekend,’ Smith said.
‘I have been following the build-up a bit and I will watch the fight at home. One of them will be my opponent in the final and as a boxing fan, it’s a good fight.
‘They both have strength and weaknesses at different points. Groves has got the jab, the boxing brain and the size on his side.
‘I think his weakness is his stamina issues whereas Eubank’s strength is his stamina. Eubank’s weakness might be his boxing ability at distance, where I feel Groves is the better man.’
Pressed on who will be triumphant when the dust settles, 27-year-old Smith thinks it is going to be a close call.
But he added: ‘If would have to pick, I will pick Groves on points. I believe he will win the early rounds, a few rocky moments later on, but in the end, he will win on points.’
There is no doubt in Smith’s mind about who will be covered in glory when the World Super Series is over as he believe he will be the man holding the Muhammad Ali Trophy aloft.
‘I am very confident that I will beat Juergen Braehmer next Saturday in Nuremberg,’ he predicted. ‘And I am confident that I will beat the winner of this weekend’s semi-final. I entered this tournament to win it.’
