McGirt Impressed By New Student Callum Smith, Sees Him as Champ at 175

Veteran trainer Buddy McGirt is impressed with his newest student, former super middleweight champion Callum Smith.

Smith lost his title, and his unbeaten record, when he lost a twelve round unanimous decision to Saul “Canelo” Alvarez in their super middleweight unification.

The once-beaten boxer was handled by longtime trainer Joe Gallagher.

McGirt was approached by Paul Smith, who asked the experienced coach if he was interested in training younger brother Callum.

“I always thought [Callum] could fight, from the first day I saw him. He can punch, but there is more to him than punch power. He has to gain confidence in his other skills. I know that he will be a champion again,” McGirt told Sky Sports.

“Callum’s brother Paul gave me a call and asked if I’d be interested in taking on his brother. I went to Liverpool, we worked for a couple of days, now here we are.

“I would train him to use his height and reach. You can’t let Canelo get into a rhythm. You have to take him out of his element. Once Canelo gets comfortable, you can forget it.”

Most observers, based on his size, expect Smith to move up to the light heavyweight limit of 175.

McGirt admits the light heavyweight division will be a tough environment with world champions like Artur Beterbiev (IBF and WBC champion), Dmitry Bivol (WBA), Joe Smith (WBO).

Once he tests out the 175-pound waters and gets a few fights under his belt, McGirt could easily see Smith becoming a world champion at the weight.

“It’s a very tough division, a hot division,” said McGirt.

“If he has a couple of fights to get comfortable at the weight, I don’t see anyone to stop him becoming a champion.”