Callum Smith stays on track for world title shot with routine victory against Norbert Nemesapati

PROMISING super-middleweight Callum Smith ensured he remains in contention for a potential world-title fight later this year with a seventh-round stoppage defeat of Hungary’s Norbert Nemesapati.

He has been pursuing the position of mandatory challenger to WBC champion Badou Jack, but laboured against his far smaller opponent before securing his victory.

Smith, 26, often appeared a light-heavyweight towering over a middleweight.

There was little question he was consistently winning their fight but the power he has previously demonstrated often appeared absent.

Nemesapati’s punch resistance may have impressed, but only when a left hook to the body sent him to the canvas at the end of the seventh did Smith look a potential world-level fighter.

The Hungarian returned to his feet, before denying Smith the explosive finish he would have wanted by retiring before the start of the eighth.

After the fight, Smith re-iterated his desire to fight for a world title, insisting he is now “ready.”

With senior boxing officials within earshot, it is hoped he may get his chance sooner rather than later, and not have to put on a routine show like he did tonight at the O2 Arena.

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