![](https://wbcboxing.com/wp-content/uploads/smithbadeurlique800x450.jpg)
Former super middleweight champion Callum Smith fights Mathieu Bauderlique (21-1, 12 KOs) in a World Boxing Council light heavyweight eliminator on Saturday, August 20 at the Jeddah Super Dome in Saudi Arabia.
It`s part of the undercard of Anthony Joshua vs. Oleksandr Usyk 2.
WBC No. 1 Callum and No. 2 Bauderlique each seek to become a mandatory challenger for World Boxing Council 175-pound champion Artur Beterbiev.
Smith has only fought once at light heavyweight, beating Lenis Castillo via second-round knockout last September.
French-born Bauderlique has had notable victories over Doudou Ngumbu and Igor Mikhalkin.
Both fighters were face to face at a press conference, where they commented:
“It’s a match I have to win. I’m in a busy division, a packed division where there are a lot of fighters waiting for a world title shot. A loss here puts me at the back of the line, and it’s a very big line. A win here It puts me at the front of the line to fight for the WBC Green and Gold title. That’s the goal. I’ve been there before at 168 and I think I’m good enough to do it at 175,” Smith said.
Bauderlique, who holds the EBU title, commented: “I know the quality of my rival but I have done a great preparation. It`s an important opportunity for my career, and this is a giant step to reach my dream of being world champion”.
Photos by Matchroom Boxing
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