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SPORTS Wednesday 16 december 2020
AP Interview: Smith looks for family revenge against Alvarez

By STEVE DOUGLAS and since Smith earned a
AP Sports Writer unanimous decision over
Callum Smith had a front John Ryder three weeks
row seat to see his brother later.
dismantled by Canelo Al- The fight was announced
varez in a bruising light-mid- by Canelo's team on Nov.
dleweight title fight in 2016. 17, before any contracts
Ringside at a raucous AT&T had been officially signed
Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and without Smith (27-0, 19
Smith can recall in particu- KOs) having had any con-
lar the accuracy of Alva- firmation. It has given Smith
rez's punches, the way he little more than a month to
maneuvered his big broth- prepare, with restrictions
er, Liam, into a position to stemming from the coro-
drop him on three occa- navirus pandemic making
sions — the final time with the pre-fight camp even
a brutal body shot."He finds harder.
gaps and holes that you Smith, who is seven inches
don't know you're leaving," taller than Alvarez and will
Smith said of the Mexican have a clear reach ad-
boxer. "So I knew then, and vantage, had to rush to
I know now, how good a In this Saturday, June 1, 2019 file photo, England's Callum Smith, above, knocks down Hassan get some sparring part-
fighter he is." N'Dam, of France, during the first round of a super middleweight championship boxing match in ners in, and the ones he
Four years later, it's time to New York. got weren't ideal. He said
take some family revenge. Associated Press he hasn't had much time
Smith will compete in the to "think and research" for
biggest fight of his career time: In 2018, he knocked all making the long journey things. Things he probably a fight against someone
on Saturday when he at- out George Groves, who with Callum to Texas for the realized on the night that he believes rivals Terence
tempts to do what only one had previously beaten fight at the Alamodome in he didn't see before. Crawford, the WBO welter-
man, the great Floyd May- Smith's oldest brother, Paul, San Antonio. They do ev- "We spoke even before this weight champion, as the
weather, has achieved — to capture the WBA super- erything together — all four fight was made and we've pound-for-pound king.
beat Alvarez, a four-division middleweight title. have been British title-hold- spoken a lot more since. He "You ask me has my camp
world champion who, for "I did it with Groves for Paul," ers at one point, with Liam is in the gym with me ev- been ideal, but his prob-
many, is the best pound- Smith told The Associated and Callum going on to ery day so when I'm spar- ably hasn't been ideal, ei-
for-pound boxer around. Press in a video interview, become world champions ring, Liam's on the apron as ther," Smith said. "He prob-
It would go down as one of "hopefully I can do it with — and can lean on each well, watching. He's always ably knew he was fighting
the most sensational victo- Canelo for Liam. other for advice and tips. there for advice, shots he me a little longer than I
ries in British boxing history, "It does add a little more to And it's Liam, given his his- feels Canelo may throw knew I was fighting him but
catapulting Smith — an un- it. There's a little bit of history tory with Canelo, who has against me and shots he he's had the same year as
beaten 30-year-old fighter there and it will be nice to been Callum's go-to guy in feels I may be able to capi- everyone else."
from Liverpool — into su- get revenge, but first and recent weeks. talize on against Canelo." Fighting out of England,
perstardom. foremost I've got a job to "I've watched every single The fight, which is being and in front of a reduced
He would take great sat- do and that's beat Canelo fight Canelo's ever had, televised by the DAZN crowd in Texas, holds no
isfaction, too, from taking Alvarez. Any other bits are but it's a bit different when streaming service, will be fear for Smith, either. After
down a conqueror of one an added bonus." you get in there with him," the first for both boxers in all, it was in Saudi Arabia
of the siblings from a Smith Paul, Liam and another Callum Smith told the AP. more than a year, since Al- where he beat Groves to
family steeped in boxing. brother who is a profes- "Liam has been in there varez knocked out Sergey become a world champi-
And it wouldn't be the first sional boxer, Stephen, are with him, so he knows little Kovalev in November 2019 on. q

Campbell finalist again for Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award

NEW YORK (AP) — Balti- from each conference and The finalists will be listed
more defensive end Calais were picked by a panel of on the Pro Bowl ballot un-
Campbell is a three-time former players from the NFL der the NFL Sportsmanship
finalist with New England Legends Community fea- Award category. Teams
wide receiver Matthew turing Warrick Dunn, Curtis can't vote for their own
Slater a finalist for a sec- Martin, Karl Mecklenberg player. "You want guys
ond straight year and third and Leonard Wheeler. who display leadership,
overall for the Art Rooney Indianapolis defensive end who go above and be-
Sportsmanship Award an- Justin Houston and Pitts- yond, who think about their
nounced by the NFL on burgh defensive tackle teammates before they
Tuesday. The award first Cameron Heyward are the think about themselves,"
created in 2014 is given other finalists from the AFC. Dunn said. "It is always hard
each year to an NFL player The NFC finalists are Caro- to narrow down the list of
best demonstrating on- lina quarterback Teddy individuals for this award."
field sportsmanship with fair Bridgewater, Tampa Bay The award was created to
Baltimore Ravens defensive end Calais Campbell, center, leads play, respecting the game linebacker Lavonte David, honor the founding owner
a huddle with teammates after working out prior to an NFL foot- and opponents and integ- Philadelphia center Jason of the Pittsburgh Steelers,
ball game against the Dallas Cowboys, Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020, rity in competition. Kelce and San Francisco Pro Football Hall of Famer
in Baltimore. Finalists include four players fullback Kyle Juszczyk. Art Rooney Sr. q
Associated Press