“Boxing’s just a popularity contest now… look at Ryan Garcia” 🥊 Callum Smith | Up Front
On today’s episode we are joined by the youngest of four brothers from one of the most famous boxing families. Fighting out of Liverpool and coached by Joe Gallagher, Callum Smith went on to gain British and European success at super middleweight before overcoming George Groves for the WBA Strap.
His continued rise within Boxing led him face to face with Cancelo Alvarez, which unfortunately for Smith became his first loss. Smith dusted himself off and aimed to become two-weight world champion but fell short against Artur Beterbiev, leaving his career at a crossroads.
Callum Smith joins the show to talk about what his career now holds in store, and reflect on his unique background and incredible success. He discusses the pitfalls of the often murky world of professional boxing, his thoughts on his more brash and vocal peers and opens up on his plans for the future.
Subscribe now for the full episode and head to / @upfrontwithsimonjordan .
Warning: This episode may contain strong language and references to violence. Listener discretion advised.
Remember, 18+ for gambling responsibly.
#upfront #boxing #simonjordan
00:00 Introduction to Callum Smith
01:00 Podcast starts
01:53 His family boxing background.
10:29 Would he like to be more extrovert?
12:52 Is boxing a loyal sport?
15:22 How much of a role do his brothers have in his career?
17:20 How important was his amateur career?
18:56 2012 Olympics
20:39 Ben Whittaker
22:36 Turning Pro and James Degale
25:04 Rocky Fielding / Joe Gallagher
27:26 George Groves
28:52 How achievements affected his mindset
31:43 Canelo Alvarez
41:17 Separating with Joe Gallagher
42:33 Psychological impact of losing for the 1st time
45:05 Artur Beterbiev
51:10 What’s next for Callum?
56:12 Fighters Union
58:34 How would people look back at his career?
Пікірлер: 354
As a Liverpool lad around the same age group as these brothers i can honestly say they are without doubt the best family to come out of Liverpool. Even when you see their dad in the gym in aintree he is always nice to ppl and polite. They are a proper working class family who are just really good at boxing
@davidrock6038
27 күн бұрын
Bollox the boswells was the best lmao 😂
@michaelhill2300
27 күн бұрын
Around the same age group as these BROTHERS… There all different age groups fella lol
@craigc.6697
27 күн бұрын
@@michaelhill2300 well I'm 38. Callum smith (the youngest ) is 33. Paul smith ( the oldest ) is 41. So yes I'm around the same age group. Oh and also you are a clown 🤡
@Hedgebets100
22 күн бұрын
"Around" would be the key word there, fella.
@pushed8591
22 күн бұрын
Full if scruffs liverpool, stinks of shit to
The comments about Ryan Garcia will not age well.
@RaveSceneTribute
24 күн бұрын
good call
@1515alanruiz
24 күн бұрын
You said it 1 day ago and he won 2 days ago. Your cheating
@user-bg3gx8bg6g
22 күн бұрын
Trying to claim you predicted it. Sad
@Hedgebets100
22 күн бұрын
This is sad. Trying to claim a prediction. Weak man.
@stuartgould3111
21 күн бұрын
He did say not yet
Ryan Garcia comments didn’t age well… never the less top interview and Callum’s a top boxer and a top lad
The way Betebiev dealt with Yarde and Callum just shows the level he operates at. No one has walked through Callum and the way Beterbiev just picked away at him until he unravelled was so impressive.
I was hoping Simon would speak about John Ryder because Callum also lost that fight. I guess he was not allowed.
@Ironsmiler
26 күн бұрын
Yes, that was a shame. Agreed.
@user-xj4qu6ll7g
23 күн бұрын
Yes I was waiting for that.
It’s nice to see a quiet introverted boxer for a change. Goes about his business and doesn’t care about fame.
This aged well considering Garcia just won that fight.
@rickisunak
7 күн бұрын
Hm
It’s amazing how much these lads have achieved how humble they are. It’s been a pleasure watching them over the years. A credit to boxing an also a credit to their family. I always get the sense that nothing is beneath them. A credit to the city.
yeah the Ryan Garcia comment just got old quick. Boxing never ceases to amaze me
@jamiejosh96
17 күн бұрын
The funny thing is he is still right, he hadn’t deserved the shot… based on his fights previous. The outcome doesn’t really changed that…. Even more so he didn’t deserve the shot at a world title seeing as he didn’t make weight
@rickisunak
7 күн бұрын
@@jamiejosh96and was on drugs.
@AethelwulfOfNordHymbraLand2333
8 сағат бұрын
Not at all. Garcia is a drug cheat.
Top interview, top lads, well done again Simon
tbf to ryan garcia he did put his unbeaten record on the line against gervonta davis, not many have the balls to do so, nowadays so many fighters have this obsession with remaining undefeated that they avoid the mega fights
@gregmilligan6334
27 күн бұрын
Ye I agree TBF at least Garcia wants the big fights or maybe he just knows he's popular and won't be in boxing long annoying that tank beat him cos he's a wee rat who generally fights nobody's his best win is Garcia or Pitbull Cruz which he scraped a win and basically said he'll never rematch him , really hope Haney or shakur or even loma before he gets too old fight tank and give him a good spanking Garcia is decent but let's be honest he barely beat Luke Campbell he's no business fighting any of the top guys he seems a good lad but tbh doubt he beats anyone decent at 135/140 Haney beats him easy I reckon he's the best if the lot I think him and shakur are miles ahead others at 135/140 then tank Garcia struggles to beat anyone good ie Haney,shakur,tank as proven even Mattias,teo,Pitbull Cruz, he maybe beats barosso,rolly,struggles even with Taylor v caterall winner fair play he's earning good money and has balls so good on him
@talk2s5061X
27 күн бұрын
Agreed and davis made him come down to a catch weight with a rehydration clause
@sharkymoon422
25 күн бұрын
It’s King Garcia please say his name properly, salty smith
@AethelwulfOfNordHymbraLand2333
8 сағат бұрын
He's right about Garcia. Garcia is a drug cheat.
Beterbiev beat the sh*t out of this man
@JD-re3cj
27 күн бұрын
He did indeed beat him hard clubbed him around like a baby seal
@declanshanahan3888
27 күн бұрын
@@JD-re3cj On the juice
@R3ALIST....
27 күн бұрын
@@declanshanahan3888are you one of the smith brothers? Cause you making stupid excuses for you boy getting a battering lol stupid shytte
@mikeyyyyyy3312
27 күн бұрын
pretty disrespectful to point out the obvious warrios lose all the time
@JD-re3cj
27 күн бұрын
@@declanshanahan3888 it’s suspicious 🤔
👏👏 class act callum nice interview
A lovely bloke. There are enough extrovert big character fighters out there. It's good to see a fighter who is unassuming with humility. #Inspiring
Eddie Hearn and matchroom deserve allot of credit for getting this man them belts he’s best nobody and groves was clearly injured
@markydan1232
28 күн бұрын
He won the belts in the super 6. Try again.
@darmate14
27 күн бұрын
Won it easily tbh
@Thetache
27 күн бұрын
@@darmate14 Yeah against an aged Groves who was 6 weeks off a dislocated shoulder, big asterisk against that win
@carlitor4173
26 күн бұрын
Matchroom are by far the best promotion in boxing, it's a global promotion making things happen....
@rolandbishop6610
26 күн бұрын
@@carlitor4173 I agree they are best at making average fighters seem great to the public
Scouser, shy and quiet? Nope never met one...
This aged well.
Great interview 👍
Top guy and a champion 🥊💨
absolute gentleman quality boxer great interview
callum is a top top man the best smith brother by a mile
OMG is he joking?.... don't blame the ring ..... Beterbiev absolutely destroyed him.....embarrassing.... ring size /didn't feel the power....Calum go back and watch the fight..... you were and are 3 or 4 levels below him....
@sharkymoon422
25 күн бұрын
Garcia must be thinking what a muppet..
A wonderful insightful interview in to Boxing. Simon, as always, you have a remarkable talent when it comes to your open and decisive questions. They way you articulate them is a testament to your clear hard work in English literature despite your struggles. A Man of Fortitude. As for you Callum. You are a great Boxer who deserves praise for your achievements. Your a legitimate World Champion . You just fell short . Due to the best Chemists in the world who have no integrity. Great interview 🫡😮
Groves was forced to fight before his shoulder was ready
@darmate14
27 күн бұрын
Still a better fighter. Bigger reach and more powerful
@krisevans462
27 күн бұрын
Nobody was forced anything
@rolandbishop6610
27 күн бұрын
@@krisevans462 yess or he would forfeit his pay
@davidjohnson4498
27 күн бұрын
Groves said he told the organisers he needed more time but was threatened with lawsuit
@rolandbishop6610
27 күн бұрын
@@darmate14 bullllll he’s. Beat nobody and hardly fights
Top guy and great professional and fair play he’s had some great fights with legends
This title aged well.
Congratulations 🥳
Would love to see something on the McKenzie’s. Boxing & Palace.
Can tell SJ has a lot of respect for CS...nice to see
Funny how this started streaming, as soon as Simon came off the talksport show he co hosts.lol.. well timed
Smith is a good dude. I rank him a B+ or A- fighter. Hopefully he gets another run but he has to be fully prepared this time around. Greetings from America 🇺🇸
Smith is really good but the elite level fighters like biev, bivol and canelo have too much in their arsenal for him to deal with, it wouldn’t have mattered what size the ring was or what camp he had these guys just have abilities he doesn’t have and hasn’t seen before.
@chrisburton4128
27 күн бұрын
Not saying Smith wudda beat them, but something was off wit that mexican beef!
These smith brothers don’t half make excuses when they get beat. “Oh the ring was too small, oh the preparation wasn’t right , oh it wasn’t the best me, oh I hadn’t fought in a while”
Seems a nice grounded lad. However I echo a comment below, a shame the Ryder robbery was swept under the carpet. Not good from Mr. Jordan.
And he still keeps on interrupting.
@PeterSothern
27 күн бұрын
He never let's them finish a sentence
Sour grapes, he got smashed up by AB and doesn’t even give him his props. What a plonker
@THEREALTAMPATON
22 күн бұрын
You are
@AethelwulfOfNordHymbraLand2333
8 сағат бұрын
The only one sounding sour is you, Kumar.
Made a fortune in boxing great fighter but not Elite I'm afraid but yarde fight would be great 💯💥💥🥊🥊
If groves hadn't gone in that tournament he would of defended his title for atleast 2 yrs gruelling tournament over 5 months was injured and at the back end of his career smith new it were the right time...
Callum smith is ace great fighter great kid
This aged well 😂
Smith was lucky to catch a belt off a very weakened Groves (I think the fight was 6 weeks after Groves dislocated his shoulder against Eubank and made it worse as he fought on with it as he knew he was up on points)Who did he fight that was elite? He was gifted the decision against Ryder (Usual promoter skullduggery) and he got dominated by Canelo from his shell then got smashed to pieces by Beterbiev.
@THEDOGFATHERL11
28 күн бұрын
So hes only lost to 2 of the world's best boxing 1 a Russian juice baby an the other who's been caught juicing
@roddi733
28 күн бұрын
@@THEDOGFATHERL11Russian juice baby? What are you on about. He’s just far superior to Smith
@THEDOGFATHERL11
28 күн бұрын
@@roddi733 it was a requirement for the Russians to be on the juice to get in the Olympic team even the ice skaters have to be on it he's always been on the gear
@Thetache
27 күн бұрын
@@THEDOGFATHERL11 Yeah he's lost to the only world level fighters hes gone in against bar a one armed Groves who was near retirement, so your point is?
@THEDOGFATHERL11
27 күн бұрын
@@Thetachethat only elite juice heads have beat him what's the point in your waste of a life
Froch took 2 fights to put away groves. Callum cleaned groves in 1
@shitmonkyable
27 күн бұрын
tbf lad, Groves did have both his arms for the Froch fights
Brilliant interview, get Naseem Hamed on next.
Tbh its true calzaghe is a legend and would of never won fans this day and age
You entitled to your opinion no matter how wrong you may be. I think you are FOS.
Brilliant interview Iv been a Huge fan of Smith Bro’s for years from way back when Paul went into the Contender series. They have all been Brilliant for British Boxing 🥊
@davidrock6038
27 күн бұрын
The boswells was much better lmao😂
I didn't know too much about the Smith's before this so I've learnt something, maybe Simon did also... but more importantly, so might you
It's always been a popular contest
If you’re trying to square a circle you need to bake into your thinking that if it walks like a duck and talks like a duck.. it’s a duck!
Known for beating an over the hill groves none the less I liked him
@funnyfaces3849
28 күн бұрын
Technically speaking…you can’t say over the hill when groves only won his world title fight or two before
@nobullshit8898
28 күн бұрын
@@funnyfaces3849groves shoulder was finished common knowledge
@1eddwood
28 күн бұрын
Groves wasn’t over the hill , he just wasn’t 100% fit for the fight
@williampearson7186
28 күн бұрын
@@1eddwood no he was done
@roddi733
28 күн бұрын
@@funnyfaces3849Groves retired immediately after the Smith fight, that is literally the definition of being over the hill.
Seems like a decent lad. Think Callum and Anthony Yarde would be a good fight.
@shitmonkyable
28 күн бұрын
Be a good fight for Yarde. Horrible fight for Smith
@thebusinesscatalog
27 күн бұрын
Yarde says he's out of contract. Strange seeing as though Frank has got him some great opportunities
@Charlie-bg5kq
26 күн бұрын
@@shitmonkyablesmith knocks yarde out just because he looked better against beterbiev means nothing it would be good fight though yarde always has a go
@shitmonkyable
25 күн бұрын
@@Charlie-bg5kq who has smith ever looked good against? Beterbiev said himself that Yarde was his toughest fight and laughed at Smith's effort
Always liked Callum, the WBSS was great for him in terms of getting him to a WC fight and being a good payday but it does feel like his career has being on a coast since adding in the Canelo fight he has more than enough money so he doesn't need it anymore. I'll always wonder if he should have had a more high profile career but he'll leave the sport with his health intact
@roddi733
28 күн бұрын
He had two shots at elite level fighters and fell well short on both occasions so I think it’s fair to say he reached his level.
@Nickoshot
27 күн бұрын
@@roddi733 Yeah he lost to two of the best to ever do it, I mean more that could have had more fights at his level. Feel like he has mostly walked though people
Callum needs to be active he still might be high level hard to tell cause he been very inactive he did win against a lot of good fighter maybe not great but definitely good
Lovely lad top fighter 👏👏
@user-kq9vv5tj1u
28 күн бұрын
No he ain't.
Callum Smith is one of the best fighters out there. I think Bivol Smith would be a good match up as well. Smith would stop Lyndon Arthur and would beat Richard’s aswell as Yarde and Buatsi. He needs to keep active though, he can’t just keep having time off inbetween.
@user-kq9vv5tj1u
28 күн бұрын
Behave 😂 Typical British fighter. No chin.
@danielharries5468
28 күн бұрын
@@user-kq9vv5tj1u I don't see how he can be classed as having no chin, got stopped once by Beterbiev who has stopped everyone he has been in with
@user-kq9vv5tj1u
28 күн бұрын
@@danielharries5468 british fighters bar a couple have no chins anyway. So overated british fighters even the best lennox lewis and calzaghe had suspect chins. Americans are historically the best fighters by far.
@T3akkeydhd
28 күн бұрын
@@user-kq9vv5tj1uYour nation is being dominated by Europe. Deal with it.
@T3akkeydhd
28 күн бұрын
The original comment is a big stretch I can’t lie
Ryan Garcia looked a bit more that a social media darling last night.
@AethelwulfOfNordHymbraLand2333
8 сағат бұрын
Steroids are a hell of a drug.
Would have loved to have seen Smith vs Yarde on the 5 v 5 card. No disrespect to Richards and Hutchinson, but It's the one fight that's lacking on the 5 v 5.
Comes across as a decent fella
B level fighter
@silewis9396
28 күн бұрын
Probably better at his job than you are at yours
@volusize
28 күн бұрын
Go back to work, the shelves aren't going to stack themselves.
@user-om9bj4rc1g
28 күн бұрын
B level is pretty good to be fair, everyone can't be a A+ level fighter but Callum his career was definitely underachieving . He should have accomplished more
@truthseeker2095
28 күн бұрын
C level
@mrsugar2352
28 күн бұрын
@@user-om9bj4rc1gCallum smith did not underperform. He over achieved
Typical Smith. Always with the woe-is-us tone, thinking they’re better and more deserving of success despite being bang average fighters.
@shitmonkyable
28 күн бұрын
Scouse excuses. Family of whingers
@pf6497
28 күн бұрын
Nob ed
@deadpool8340
27 күн бұрын
Have a great day you sound like you need it !!
@pf6497
27 күн бұрын
Okay Joe Wicks.
@andrewlaidlaw1070
27 күн бұрын
What a clown! The Smiths are a great boxing family. Calum and Liam were both world champs, Paul and Steven both challenged for world titles against class opposition.
Pugilists never worry about the ring size
Remember at one point I thought this guy was gonna be one of the best ever, watched his first like 7-8 fights and they were nearly all first round KO’s. Fell off a bit.
@JohnDoe-12
20 күн бұрын
Should’ve given your head a wobble, this guy is and always was a complete lamb:
10:36 - does Simon lie on a sunbed wearing gloves or what's going on?
Madness the comments saying hes overrated from people who probably have never put on a pair of gloves he twice dared to be great and came up short at elite level top fighter he is.
Callum came across brilliant calm collected decent guy😊
Callum totally overachieved for his skillset but still a solid Euro-level fighter and involved in some very exciting fights, he is also the most likeable of the brothers by far.
@Charlie-bg5kq
25 күн бұрын
I think euro level is harsh I’d say he’s world level maybe not elite but he’s world level
@Charlie-bg5kq
25 күн бұрын
It’s hard to judge because he’s only been beat by p4p fighters maybe Ryder who I would argue is knocking around world level aswell
@TC8787-yq7og
25 күн бұрын
@@Charlie-bg5kq yeah good point to be fair, his inactivity really damaged his career, still had a fantastic career though
@Charlie-bg5kq
25 күн бұрын
@@TC8787-yq7og yeah done well out the sport made plenty of money come out healthy I do think to the wider boxing fans if he beat someone like yarde he would definitely go up in a lot people estimations but up to him he’s had a good career your right 👍
Can’t knock the smith brothers all done very well for themself all of them are very respectful aswell not may people share a ring with canelo
In as many words, he’s retired unless some Mickey Mouse World Title gets freed up for him
This aged well, cheap talk from an average boxer completely proved wrong by Garcia 🤣😂🤣😂 Smith the muppet..
Callum had the most potential and the weakest heart of all the Smiths-respect to him for accepting a beating from Beterbieve rather than finding a way out. There is no way he is in the top 30 British fighters of all time. Not even the best Smith or top 10 boxers from Liverpool....
Can you do timestamps 😂
Callum Smith is in no position to question boxers getting opportunities over their ability. Complete lack of self awareness
Canelo put on a BEATING ON SMITH, Beterviev Wiped out whatever was left in Smith from canelo fight. Hats off to this Brit, went out on his shields both fights.
Interesting how the promoter can deliberately choose a smaller ring to benefit their fighter...
Looks like hugie fury
Yeah look at Ryan Garcia….
“Boxing’s just a popularity contest now… look at Ryan Garcia”. Aged like milk me old proper clobberers.
Do the amateur boxing laws allow a retired professional to re-enter the amateur ranks since they are no longer a paid pro?
Simon will be in boxing sooner than we think,love how he picks the fighters brains to see how they tick before he invests his money in the sport,I think he will be brilliant for boxing and look after his fighters….
I like Callum but he needs to beat yarde or buatsi , the win against groves was hollow as George was injured and forced to fight before he was ready
@Charlie-bg5kq
26 күн бұрын
I agree that would do his record a lot of favours his jumps have been to big yarde an buatsi would be respectable wins
Looks done with boxing tbf.
Lost convincingly to Arthur and blames the ring size. Sour grapes! 😂
A dreamer ....Canello absolutely destroyed him....and as for Beterbiev .... he was totally outclassed,...... both those fighters were in a totally different galaxy to him....great lad but deluded and cannot admit to himself that he was lucky to be in the ring with either..... in truth he got beat by John Rhyder too.....
i mean garcia took on davies lost and within two fights took on haney with all the belts and took the lions share of split due to his own self promotion so in part i agree but boxing and boxers are funny now theres saudi money everyone wants to fight spent 10 years of boxers ducking and a diving each other for the biggest pay days and wondering why now those with the biggest profiles and ultimately the most active are being rewarded. before anyone starts lol ive been watching the smith brothers best part of 15 years
Ey up Simon you bellend, ill give this a like because I respect Callum, BOSH!
My dad 3 off my uncle's all fought but thai boxing i had my first fight at 11 against a teenager.. i was a tall kid and used to get put in with bigger lads when i won national title boy still remember his name sandy he smashed my nose with a knee in the second round .. anyway when i ended up a dad two boys i put them into judo i thought back to me as a kid at school struggling to eat after sparring hard against bigger lads and just wanting to make my dad and uncle who was European champion proud .. but getting kicked and punched kneed in the head isn't good for you and i didn't want that for my kids .. but the oldest became 2 time national champion and a sponsored athlete but then joined a mma gym and wants to be a fighter but hes 15 now 🤷🏻 so im not going to stop him thats his thing hes obsessed with training.. but its a tough sport and i didn't want to watch my son getting punched in the head so grappling since he was 4.. but hes 15 now 5ft11 a big strong lad and its keeping him off the streets fit and obsessed with training.. but i wouldn't have put them into boxing as kids .. yeah take them on the pads in the house teach them the basics but competition wise judo also done sambo basically Russian judo with leg locks .. but standing there just throwing punches to the head 🙄 no i didn't want to see them getting punched nose smashed ect like i did
Callum Smith - One of the most overrated fighters in Britain. Never beat anyone decent.
@terryduckworth5105
28 күн бұрын
😂😂😂🤡🤡🤡🤡
@athelstan927
28 күн бұрын
There was a lot of expectancy and not a lot happened!
@mulluppy1982
28 күн бұрын
Groves?
@nobullshit8898
28 күн бұрын
@@mulluppy1982groves had one arm
@mulluppy1982
28 күн бұрын
@@nobullshit8898 nah he deffo had 2. Still does.
I wonder how he had a piss with boxing gloves on ? 😂
This aged badly
Come on Simon, you should of pushed him on who had to get Callum’s plonker out to have a piss before the fielding fight lol
No way would you 20 times over beat canelo your brother gave a better go then you by a country mile
He’s only British level soon as he comes up against anyone elite gets bladdered
Garcia just beat a pound for pound fighter, with all due respect thats more than smith ever done. People need to get over garcia
@reonflowers
19 күн бұрын
Clearly haven’t seen his achievements then lad have you
@justinleitch7349
16 күн бұрын
Anyone can turn up overweight, not drained and have a better chance. Reality is he didn't put his body through the rigours that haney did and despite the performance being a good one you can't take it seriously when he refused to fight on a level playing field
Isrite champ
Hahaha! Callum Smith in the trailer here, shows that he doesn't know what he's talking about. Saying Ryan Garcia isn't talented enough to fight Devon Haney, yet he just wiped him out with ease! Callum Smith your are a big tomato can. Good fighter.. but you're the one that doesn't have big talent.
Everything is a popularity contest
Sadly, not for me
Callum Smith passing comment on garcia getting opportunities his ability doesn't merit. That precisely sums up his very own career. Beat an injured George groves, robbed John ryder of the win and was done a favour in that result. And then battered senseless by canelo and beterbiev. He's never been able to compete with the top boys. His brothers were also done a few favours in their career also. Particularly Paul who turned up ridiculously over Weight to face andre ward. Totally unprofessional
The title just shows how cocky and wrong Simon can be.
Top guy but after the last fight he should retire