Callum Smith: WBSS is brilliant – finds the best fighter on the planet

The Season 1 Super Middleweight Ali Trophy winner talks about the magnitude of winning the WBSS ahead of his defence his WBA ‘Super’ title against John Ryder.

November 23rd, 2019

The Season 1 Super Middleweight Ali Trophy winner talks about the magnitude winning of the World Boxing Super Series before defending his WBA ‘Super’ title against John Ryder on Saturday in Liverpool, England.

“The WBSS is brilliant,” said Smith in an interview with Pro Boxing Fans. “Obviously I’m a little bit biased because I won it and came out with a world title from it.

“But even a fighter like Donaire who just lost in the final, it was a tough fight there, his profile of losing has become bigger. Regis Prograis, his profiled has raised even though he never won it,” said the Liverpudlian who presented the Muhammad Ali Trophy to Josh Taylor after the Prograis-Taylor Super-Lightweight final late October in London.

Common to the four winners of the Ali Trophy so far is that they have been able to add world championship belts and the legendary Ring belt to their legacies.

“All the four finals have had the Ring Magazine belt on the line to determine who is number one in the division, so the tournament is providing the best fighter on the planet. I think it is very good for the sport. It makes boxing a little bit more simple,” said the super middleweight ruler.

“The WBSS and Ring Magazine have a common goal; we strive to seek out the best fighter in each weight class,” said Tom Gray, Associate Editor and member of The Ring ratings panel.

“In an age where politics, promotional alliance and network agenda threatens to sabotage so many great fights, we have succeeded in identifying the best single fighter across four divisions: Aleksandr Usyk (cruiserweight), Callum Smith (super middleweight), Josh Taylor (super lightweight) and Naoya Inoue (bantamweight).

“All claimed the Ali Trophy and Ring Magazine championship belts and are now rubber-stamped as the best fighters in the world within their respective divisions.”

DAZN, the world’s largest dedicated live sports streaming service, will exclusively bring U.S. fight fans the WBSS Season II Finals. To sign up for a one-month free trial, fans can visit DAZN.com or download the DAZN app to their preferred connected device.

 

Muhammad Ali Trophy champions:

2018-19: Naoya Inoue, Bantamweight (Season 2)

2018-19: Josh Taylor, Super-Lightweight (Season 2)

2017-18: Aleksandr Usyk, Cruiserweight (Season 1)

2017-18: Callum Smith, Super Middleweight (Season 1)