Callum Smith puts his WBA ‘super’ title on the line in Liverpool later this month in a bout he hopes will be a stepping stone to a blockbuster clash further down the line.

Smith is an massive favourite with all the major boxing betting sites to defeat super-middleweight rival John Ryder when they meet on November 23. Read on as we preview the big fight.

Smith eyeing bumper payday

Smith (26-0, 19 KOs) claimed the title with a stylish victory over George Groves back in September 2018 and he followed up with an easy win against Hassan N’Dam earlier this year.

The 29-year-old had been eyeing a fight with either Gennady Golovkin or Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, but neither of those contests have materialised.

Billy Joe Saunders has also been touted as a possible future opponent, with promoter Eddie Hearn believed to be targeting a huge clash at Anfield during summer 2020.

If Smith is to secure a bumper payday, he will need to avoid slipping up against a fighter he would be foolish to underestimate.

Last chance saloon for Ryder

Ryder (28-4, 16 Kos) appeared to be on the road to the top during the early part of his career, but a defeat on points against Saunders back in 2013 derailed his progress.

Three defeats in his next 12 fights suggested that Ryder would never cut it at world level, but he appears to have improved significantly over his last four contests.

Victories over Patrick Nielson, Jamie Cox, Andrey Sirotkin and Bilal Akkawy have secured Ryder’s shot at Smith and he will be eager to grab the opportunity with both hands.

With the southpaw knowing that a defeat against Smith will end his hopes of competing regularly at the top level, he presents a dangerous challenge to the champion.

Prediction

Smith has looked destined for greatness for some time now, but a fight with boxing’s biggest names continues to elude him.

Ryder has bounced back well from a sticky spell to deservedly get a shot at the title, although whether he possesses the talent to dethrone Smith is up for debate.

The champion should prove too classy for Ryder and is strongly fancied to stop his opponent by round eight at the latest.