“I just want the world title, a two-weight world champion,” Smith said to Sky Sports. “I’ve been there before at 168. I need the Ring Magazine belt.”
“I feel I can get back to where I used to be, and a win over David Morrell puts me very near being there,” Smith said. “Can I am going back and rebuild if I lose? No, I don’t think I’ve got the time or the trouble to wish to achieve this.”
There’s no soft landing built into this. No mention of easing back in or taking one other route. Smith is tying the remaining of his profession to 1 result against David Morrell.
“A win puts me very, very near what I wanted to realize,” he said. “A loss, it’s probably the tip of the road.”
Morrell, unbeaten and still constructing his position at 175, represents the sort of opponent that doesn’t allow for careful planning. It’s a fight that demands something near a full performance, not a step toward one.
Smith has been at the highest before. The query now is whether or not he can reach it again without the time normally needed to work his way back.
Smith (31-1, 22 KOs) will defend his WBO interim light heavyweight title against #1-ranked David Morrell (12-1, 9 KOs) in a 12-round fight on April 18, 2026, on the Liverpool Arena in Liverpool, England. The event might be streamed on DAZN.