Ranking Callum Smith's Chances Against the Super Middleweight World Champions

Callum Smith claimed the British super middleweight title with a one-round destruction of Rocky Fielding at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, England, on Saturday.

The battle between the two local lads proved to be short, as Smith knocked his former amateur team-mate down three times before the bout was called off.

With an 18th straight victory as a professional, Smith picked up a Lonsdale belt.

However, the man nicknamed Mundo has set his sights on bigger prizes than domestic honours.

His promoter, Eddie Hearn, is confident the 25-year-old can go all the way to the top, telling Sky Sports after Smith's quick win over Fielding:

I believe Callum Smith will go on and win world championships. We'll be pushing at the WBC convention for him to become mandatory challenger to Badou Jack. 

We've got Martin Murray challenging, James DeGale as the IBF champion and George Groves coming back, which is a fight we've always wanted as well. This is big times for Callum Smith in the world division.

But while current WBC champion Jack might be one of the main targets for Hearn and Smith, what about the holders of the other major belts (according to BoxRec)?

Arthur Abraham has the WBO title, while Englishman James DeGale holds the IBF version in his possession.

As for the WBA, Fedor Chudinov is the regular champion. However, they also have a super champion, which is currently Andre Ward.

Here Bleacher Report takes a look at Smith's chances against those fighters, ranking them in order of the probability of a Smith victory (from unlikely to most likely).

Professional record: 28-0 (15 KOs)

Last outing: Defeated Paul Smith by 9th-round TKO (June 20, 2015)

Andre Ward has been a WBA champion—in one form or another—since getting the better of Mikkel Kessler in 2009.

However, the American has only fought three times since the start of 2012. His most recent outing was against a Smith—Callum's eldest brother, Paul. 

Ward won by stoppage in the ninth round, but that bout was a catchweight contest. The 31-year-old from California has not actually defended the WBA strap since beating Edwin Rodriguez in 2013.

He was due to fight at light heavyweight on the undercard to Miguel Cotto defending the WBC middleweight belt against Saul Alvarez on November 21.

But, per Sky Sports, "inflammation and pain in his right knee" has forced Ward to withdraw.

Could Smith beat him?

It would be a serious test for Mundo, who at 25 might be a little too raw just yet for such a sizeable challenge. However, sibling Paul could give him all the information he needs.

Ward, though, looks destined to move up. He has already held talks over a potential bout with light heavyweight world champion Sergey Kovalev in 2016. 

Possibly the only fights that could keep Ward at the 168-pound limit are money-spinning showdowns with either Gennady Golovkin or Carl Froch, who would have to come out of retirement first.

Likely outcome: Ward wins again when pitted against a Smith sibling.

Professional record: 21-1 (14 KOs)

Last outing: Defeated Andre Dirrell on points (May 23, 2015)

James DeGale made history in May, becoming the first British fighter to win both an Olympic gold medal and a professional world title.

By beating Andre Dirrell in Boston, Chunky picked up the IBF belt that had been vacated by fellow Englishman Carl Froch.

He goes on the road again for his first defence, this time heading to Quebec, Canada, to take on former IBF champion Lucian Bute.

DeGale has signed a deal with Al Haymon to help further his career, telling Declan Taylor of the Daily Mail: "I'm just happy I'm not getting screwed over and getting stupid little change to box for a world title and defend world titles. I'm just grateful."

Could Smith take his title?

DeGale against Smith would be an intriguing all-English clash that would sell out a big arena, demand pay-per-view television coverage and earn both fighters a pretty penny.

Londoner DeGale is a skilled southpaw who could trouble his compatriot with clever angles and smart footwork. His amateur pedigree still shines through in the paid ranks.

Plus, although he's not renowned as a heavy hitter, Chunky has a knockout ratio of 64 percent.

Likely outcome: DeGale comes out on top (at the moment).

Professional record: 43-3 (29 KOs)

Last outing: Defeated Robert Stieglitz by TKO (July 18, 2015)

Arthur Abraham is a tough campaigner who has been around the block in the super middleweight division.

King Arthur is the current WBO champion, a title he regained last year by beating Robert Stieglitz, the man who ended Abraham's first reign.

The pair met for a third time in July, with Abraham settling the score by stopping Stieglitz inside six rounds.

Abraham's next defence is against Englishman Martin Murray—who has challenged for a world title three times before, all at middleweight—in Hannover, Germany, on November 21.

Could Smith take his title right now?

Abraham is no stranger to fighting a Smith. He defeated Callum's older sibling Paul twice on points, though the first bout between the pair was extremely close.

The 35-year-old has a tendency to pick and choose his moments during bouts these days, attacking in bursts before often taking long periods of a round off.

Callum could upset the WBO holder with a high tempo but would be advised to keep the contest at long range.

Likely outcome: Abraham has the knowledge, but Smith has youth on his side. It's a tight call, but in Germany, it would be tough for Callum to come out on top on the scorecards. Paul can tell him that much.

Professional record: 20-1-1 (12 KOs)

Last outing: Defeated George Groves on points (September 12, 2015)

Badou Jack caused an upset by taking the WBC crown from Anthony Dirrell in April.

Born in Sweden but now based in Las Vegas, the Ripper had barely indicated he was capable of becoming a world champion before toppling Dirrell.

However, he backed up the win over the American by defending the title against George Groves, knocking down the Englishman in the first round before going on to win via a split decision.

Groves actually thought he had done enough to claim the belt, per Bryan Armen at the Guardian: "I thought I won the fight decisively, all credit to him though scoring the knockdown in the first round. I thought I controlled the fight with my jab and that I was in control throughout it appeared closer to the judges."

Could Smith take his title right now?

Jack is a fight that promoter Eddie Hearn fancies for Smith.

Hearn told IFL TV (h/t Scott Gilfoid of Boxing News 24): "He’s [Callum Smith] in the position where he’s No.1 with the WBC. I’d love for him to fight Badou Jack. I think he beats Badou Jack all night long."

Jack targeted the body against Groves, and a similar tactic could cause the tall Smith problems.

Likely outcome: Either Jack isn't being given enough credit or he's found himself in the right place at the right time. Believing it's the latter, Smith could take his crown.

Professional record: 14-0 (10 KOs)

Last outing: Defeated Frank Buglioni on points (September 26, 2015)

Fedor Chudinov became a world champion in just his 13th professional fight, beating the experienced Felix Sturm via a split decision on the scorecards.

The Russian had a distinguished amateur career. According to BoxRec, he had more than 170 wins before turning pro in 2009.

He has defended the WBA strap once so far, against Frank Buglioni in September. He comfortably defeated the Londoner on points at Wembley Arena.

Chudinov may only be 5'9 ½", but he is a fighter who likes to get on the front foot. He also now has the services of Roy Jones Jr. in his corner. 

Could Smith take his title right now?

Chudinov was excellent against Buglioni, dominating throughout to win by a landslide on the scorecards (120-106, 118-108 and 117-109).

However, Smith is a step up from Buglioni. Also, Chudinov's win over Sturm has to be put into perspective—the German is well past his best and has not won since 2013.

Mundo would have to weather the pressure, but his ability to box at range could keep the tough Russian at bay.

Likely outcome: It would be an intriguing clash of styles, but Smith would come out on top.

Do you agree with the predictions? It's only an opinion, so share yours by using the comments section.