Light heavyweight contenders Callum Johnson and Joe Smith Jr. could be in the works with Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn looking to stage the fight.
Hearn is currently looking to get Johnson another opportunity to fight for a world title and believes a fight against Smith could open the path to such an opportunity. While a fight between the two might not be a title eliminator of sorts, Hearn told IFL TV that he does have big plans for Johnson provided that he defeats Smith.
"Marcus Browne is going to get ordered to fight [WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry] Bivol. I think that is a great fight for New York and I would love to do Joe Smith Jr. vs. Callum Johnson. If [Johnson] can be Joe Smith, I think he should get the winner of Bivol vs. Browne," Hearn said.
Both Johnson and Smith have lost world title fights in recent months with Johnson getting knocked out by IBF champion Artur Beterbiev last October and Smith losing a 12-round decision to Bivol in March. Johnson is the only one between the two to have fought since losing a title fight. Johnson fought on that same March card that Smith competed in, stopping Seanie Monaghan in the third round of their fight.
The WBA has yet to officially order Bivol vs. Browne, but Browne does currently hold the interim WBA title after defeating Badou Jack this past January. The full interview between Hearn and IFL TV can be seen in the video at the top of the page.