Callum Smith is confident that he will finally fight David Benavidez at some point in 2026.

Smith is currently in negotiations to make a dangerous mandatory defence of his WBO interim light heavyweight title against Cuban southpaw, David Morrell (12-1, 9 KOs), whilst Benavidez will put his WBC belt on the line against Britain’s Anthony Yarde on the star-laden ‘Ring IV’ which takes place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on November 22.

During an appearance on talkSPORT Boxing, Smith (31-2, 22 KOs) revealed that whilst the PBC did make contact about a fight Benavidez, it 'wasn’t a great offer' and that further talks about the fight taking place in Saudi Arabia had barely started before he saw the news that Yarde had been handed a third shot at snaring a 175-pound title.

Beating Joshua Buatsi to win the WBO interim title in February has afforded the former super middleweight champion the time and luxury of an ability to bide time and wait for the right offer to come his way but the 35-year-old Liverpudlian did admit that missing out on a chance to become a two-division world champion has irked him.

"Yeah, definitely because the Benavidez fight is a fight that I want. I've been vocal about that. I think we both were world champions at 168 pounds at the same time and it's a fight I always thought would happen," Smith said.

"We were both big at 168 so I thought we'd both end up at 175, which we are now. He's got himself the WBC title but I think I'm in a good position regardless. I'm the WBO interim champion and I think that fight will happen. Providing I come through my next one, I think the Benavidez fight will always be there."

Smith is anticipating an entertaining, crowd-pleasing clash of styles when Benavidez and Yarde do get in the ring but he believes that the 28-year-old workaholic will eventually prove to be too much for the explosive Londoner and retain his title.

"I do. I think it'll be a good fight, could be competitive early on but I think stylistically, Benavidez has got a very, very good workrate and good punch output - think that's probably the style to beat Yarde," he said.

"I think Yarde's a good fighter but don't think he does 12 rounds well. I think with the pace Benavidez sets, think his boxing abilities are better than what people give him credit for as well. So I do favour Benavidez but, as I say, it's a good fight and you never know."