Callum Smith on facing George Groves: 'Every fight has been aiming towards this one

Wiping himself down after a solid workout in a community gym in Bolton, Callum Smith looked up at the grey skies. It was a world away from his destination on Friday night when the 28-year-old, the youngest of four brothers who have all fought in world championship contests, meets George Groves in the Saudi Arabian desert with so much at stake: the status of world No  1 super middleweight on offer, a trophy for the cabinet at home in Liverpool named after “The Greatest”, Muhammad Ali, not to mention the prospect of grossing £7  million from the tournament as the winner. Fifteen years of graft and a sporting ambition is no longer a mirage in the desert.

“There’s nerves, but no more than any other fight,” explained Smith, before flying to Jeddah this weekend. “Every fight is a must-win. Every fight has been aiming towards this one. I do feel every fight I’ve had so far I’ve never really been fully satisfied. I’ve never really enjoyed any of my wins. No disrespect but it’s always been about the next title to get to being a world champion. I’ve finally got that chance now. I’m fighting for the chance to become the No  1 fighter in the division and the best in the world.”