It's not often that boxers would outright forgo a chance to fight for a world title, but Callum Smith is showing that he made the right choice when he decided to participate in the World Boxing Super Series.
Smith defeated Erik Skoglund via unanimous decision (116-112, 117-110, 117-111) in the first of four World Boxing Super Series fights in their super middleweight tournament. By winning this fight, Smith also becomes the new WBC Diamond champion, which was a special title created for the inaugural super middleweight tournament.
Smith took control of the fight early on, but Skoglund hurt Smith's nose badly in the fifth round, momentarily turning the tide in Skoglund's favor. Smith had to battle back in order to secure the win and Smith eventually dropped Skoglund in the 11th round of the fight, securing the points win for Smith.
The undefeated Smith now moves onto the semifinals where he will face the winner of the Jurgen Braehmer vs. Rob Brant fight taking place on October 27. Smith originally was set to challenge for the vacant WBC super middleweight title against Anthony Dirrell but Smith opted to fight in the World Boxing Super Series instead. The title was recently won by David Benavidez when he defeated Ronald Gavril.
On the undercard, former interim world champion Martin Murray continues to impress after his 2016 loss to current WBA super middleweight champion George Groves. Murray knocked out Arman Torosyan in the fifth round with a wicked shot to the body, improving his record to 36-4-1 (17 KO).
