By Friday evening at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Callum Smith’s lengthy wait for a world title fight will finally be at an end.
The unfamiliar location may not be the one he has envisioned since before making his professional debut in 2012, but if it ends in victory over the WBA super-middleweight champion George Groves — established as the finest fighter in the 168lb division — the result will likely prove significant in his career.
Smith is the youngest, and most promising, of four brothers from Liverpool who impressively have all had successful professional boxing careers. Paul and Stephen, the two oldest, suffered narrow defeats when challenging for world titles, and Liam reigned as the WBO light-middleweight champion until losing to Mexico’s great Saul “Canelo” Alvarez.
For all of their achievements, however, Callum has long been the one around which there has been most excitement — the one considered most likely to guarantee success. He trained in the same Great Britain amateur setup in which Anthony Joshua gradually thrived before making his professional debut on the undercard of great British super-middleweight Carl Froch’s 2012 world title defense against Yusaf Mac.
Under trainer Joe Gallagher in Manchester he also worked out of one of the country’s most successful gyms, where Scott Quigg and Anthony Crolla became world champions and where the variety and quality of sparring is such that its fighters regularly excel.
A reputation established as much by his surname as for the abilities demonstrated as an amateur was nurtured by his influential promoters Matchroom and their Sky Sports plarform, and to the extent that even while Groves and James DeGale were ahead of him, he was swiftly being spoken of as the long-term successor to Froch.
The now-28-year-old continued to make such encouraging progress that in 2015 he was matched with cross-city and divisional rival Rocky Fielding, also of Matchroom, in an attempt to further build his profile. What followed was what remained his most exciting victory and biggest statement — an explosive, ruthless, first-round stoppage of a previously-undefeated opponent, one which appeared to prove he was more than just the latest product of Matchroom’s hype and instead was a fighter with the ability to truly succeed.
Even if he has since progressed to Friday’s World Boxing Super Series (WBSS) final — and when the competition’s draw was made, Groves and Smith were the likeliest victors — the sense of momentum behind him that night he won the vacant British title has since passed, meaning that what is unclear and will be determined on Friday is whether he has since met unsuitable opponents or whether his true level has simply been found.
Four victories followed before the start of the WBSS, and the second of those — against the little-known Norbert Nemesapati — in September 2016 earned him the status of mandatory challenger to WBC champion Badou Jack.
As perhaps the biggest fighter in his division — the 6ft 3ins Smith’s physique is that of a convincing light-heavyweight — there will be a temptation for rivals to avoid him, but the reality regardless remains that in those four victories he struggled to excel.
While Jack progressed to more lucrative and higher-profile occasions that include succeeding at light-heavyweight, Smith has continued to wait for his world title opportunity, one that after such a lengthy delay he only has after reaching the WBSS final via a lower-profile route.
It was in the quarter-finals where he overcame Erik Skoglund and in the semis where the proven Jurgen Braehmer withdrew through illness, denying him a victory against a reputable opponent and leaving him to instead defeat Nieky Holzken.
Smith had even been left waiting to see if Groves would recover from his dislocated shoulder to be passed fit for Friday’s final and ensure that his world title chance was finally in front of him. Groves ultimately represents the profile of fighter over which victory would truly launch his career; the continued frustration is most likely that even in the event of him winning, Smith will face question marks over if the defending champion was truly fit.
MEET THE FIGHTERS: Time for Callum Smith to prove his class against George Groves
MEET THE FIGHTERS: Time for Callum Smith to prove his class against George Groves
- The 28-year-old from Liverpool has long been considered a class act in the ring, now he has a great opportunity to prove it once and for all.
- Smith is undefeated in 24 fights, with 17 KOs.
Al-Attiyah and Van Beveren stripped of Dakar Rally stage wins
French rider Adrien van Beveren also had the motorbike stage win taken from him after he was penalized two minutes for speeding in the Saudi Arabia desert
HA’IL: Five-time champion Nasser Al-Attiyah was stripped of a smashing stage win in the Dakar Rally because of a missing spare wheel on Thursday.
Instead, American driver Seth Quintero was promoted to first for the second time in a week, beating Al-Attiyah by one second.
French rider Adrien van Beveren also had the motorbike stage win taken from him after he was penalized two minutes for speeding in the Saudi Arabia desert. Instead, Luciano Benavides of Argentina was given first place by 47 seconds from Van Beveren.
Al-Attiyah initially won the fifth stage from AlUla 428 speedy kilometers east to rocky Ha’il after 4 1/2 hours by a whopping 9 minutes, 59 seconds. But the missing spare wheel cost him a 10-minute penalty, dropping the Qatari to second and bumping Quintero to first.
Quintero also was promoted to first on the first stage on Saturday after he was credited time for helping a crashed rival.
The 22-year-old Quintero, who suffered three punctures on Wednesday, was barely helped in the overall standings as he was 1 1/2 hours behind Toyota teammate and race leader Henk Lategan.
But the penalty was a double blow for Al-Attiyah, who made up only 53 seconds on Lategan and was 35 minutes behind the South African leader going into the rest day Friday.
Lategan was fourth on the stage, stretching his overall lead on second-placed Yazeed Al Rajhi to 10 minutes and third-placed Mattias Ekstrom to 21 minutes. None of the leading three drivers have won the Dakar and only Al Rajhi has made the podium, a third in 2022.
“It was the hardest first week of my career on the Dakar,” Al Rajhi said amidst his 11th Dakar and sixth on home ground. “All the stages were long, tough and difficult everywhere.”
Benavides wins motorbike stage
Van Beveren led the motorbike stage for about the last 200 kilometers and thought he had his sixth career stage win, but his second speeding penalty of the race gave Benavides his fourth career stage win.
Benavides, a four-time top-10 finisher in the five Dakars he’s completed, beat Van Beveren by 47 seconds. Jose Ignacio Cornejo of Chile was third.
Benavides was seventh overall, 24 minutes behind his KTM teammate and race leader Daniel Sanders. But he suggested he was being hampered by team orders.
“I hope the strategy is going to be favorable to me in the second week,” Benavides said. “I’m happy with the bike and my pace. I feel better than I ever have. But, on this race, some decisions are made that call into question the strategic choices prepared several days before.”
The overall leaders didn’t change but Sanders’ gap on the shrinking field was cut after he was penalized eight minutes plus for speeding three times.
That reduced his overall lead to seven minutes over Spain’s Tosha Schareina and 18 minutes over Botswana’s Ross Branch. Van Beveren rose from sixth to fourth, another 30 seconds back.
Dakar Rally provides a platform for sharing Kingdom’s breathtaking beauty with the world
- Journalists, photographers, broadcasters are the storytellers to bring the experience to life, showcasing unique Saudi attractions
- Dakar Rally Saudi Arabia 2025 is celebration of exploration, storytelling
RIYADH: This year’s Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia is a stage for sharing the breathtaking beauty of the Kingdom with the world, in addition to it being a test of endurance for drivers.
Running until Jan. 17, the rally spans 7,737 km, including 5,129 km of timed special stages, and features 439 vehicles across multiple categories.
It takes participants through some of the Kingdom’s most stunning natural landscapes and archaeological treasures.
At the heart of the spectacle lies the media’s vital role in connecting global audiences to the rally’s excitement and adventure.
Journalists, photographers, and broadcasters are the storytellers who will bring the Dakar experience to life while showcasing unique Saudi beauty and culture.
This year’s rally has attracted 618 accredited journalists from 128 media outlets, representing 48 nationalities. Their collective efforts highlight the universal fascination with the Dakar Rally and its ability to transcend borders.
As the drivers push their limits across sand dunes, rugged mountains, and rocky trails, the media captures more than just the competition: They shine a light on the Kingdom’s vast, untouched landscapes and rich cultural heritage, offering viewers a window into Saudi Arabia’s diverse beauty.
From ancient archaeological wonders to sweeping desert vistas, the rally’s route becomes a showcase of the Kingdom’s allure.
Through articles, interviews, photos, and live broadcasts, journalists showcase narratives of human resilience and adventure.
Their work transcends the race itself, sharing stories of perseverance, teamwork, and cultural exchange with millions of followers globally.
The Dakar Rally Saudi Arabia 2025 is a celebration of exploration and storytelling.
Thanks to the dedication of the international media, the world gets to experience the beauty of the rally and the Kingdom, one story at a time.
South Africa urged by minister to boycott Afghanistan match in Pakistan
- Minister criticizes Taliban’s decision to ban women’s sport, disband women’s cricket team
- Proteas are scheduled to play Afghanistan on Feb. 21 in group match in Karachi, Pakistan
PRETORIA: South Africa’s sports minister has joined public calls for the Proteas to boycott the Champions Trophy game against Afghanistan next month and criticized the International Cricket Council for not upholding its own rules.
Gayton McKenzie said on Thursday he felt “morally bound to support” a match boycott because the Taliban government has banned women’s sport and disbanded the national women’s cricket team.
“It is not for me as the sports minister to make the final decision on whether South Africa should honor cricketing fixtures against Afghanistan. If it was my decision, then it certainly would not happen,” McKenzie said in a statement.
“As a man who comes from a race that was not allowed equal access to sporting opportunities during apartheid, it would be hypocritical and immoral to look the other way today when the same is being done toward women anywhere in the world.”
The Proteas are scheduled to play Afghanistan on Feb. 21 in a group match in Karachi, Pakistan.
England was also urged to forfeit its match against Afghanistan on Feb. 26 by more than 160 UK politicians on Monday.
McKenzie believed the ICC was also being hypocritical for not upholding its own mandates that member nations develop men’s and women’s cricket.
McKenzie noted Sri Lanka Cricket was suspended by the ICC from November 2023 to January 2024 for government interference.
“This does not happen in the case of Afghanistan, suggesting that political interference in the administration of sport is being tolerated there,” McKenzie said.
“Cricket South Africa, the federations of other countries and the ICC will have to think carefully about the message the sport of cricket wishes to send the world,and especially the women in sports.
“I hope that the consciences of all those involved in cricket, including the supporters, players and administrators, will take a firm stand in solidarity with the women of Afghanistan.”
Eyes turn to cricket’s short format as New Year franchise action gets underway
- The opening match of the DP World ILT20 takes place on Saturday between Mumbai Indians, last year’s winners, and Dubai Capitals
Last week’s column speculated that the final matches of the 2023-2025 World Test Championship may generate further tension in the race to join South Africa in the final at Lords in June.
As of Jan. 3, it was possible for either Australia, India or Sri Lanka to be that team. Australia led the pack, needing to beat India in the fifth and final Test in Sydney to secure the spot. This was achieved by six wickets, but not without some twists and turns.
To begin with, India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, announced before the match that he was going to stand down from the game. His recent form was poor, averaging 10.93 in his last eight Test matches. This prompted rumors of his impending retirement, which he quashed. His replacement, Jasprit Bumrah, chose for India to bat first on what he described as a “spicy pitch.” Australia’s bowlers took advantage, dismissing India for 185. Despite Bumrah leaving the field with back spasms, Australia were dismissed for 181.
With the game in the balance, Pat Cummins and Scott Boland claimed nine wickets between them to dismiss India for 157. The target of 162 to secure victory could have been daunting, but Bumrah’s continued absence reduced the potency of India’s attack. During the series, he had taken 32 wickets at the remarkable average of 13 runs per wicket. This was more than any other Indian bowler ever on a tour of Australia — enough to be player of the series, but not a member of the winning team.
A further twist was the dismissal of Steve Smith in Australia’s second innings for four runs. Agonizingly, this left him one run short of a total 10,000 Test runs, so he must wait a little longer to achieve that milestone. In a final twist, Australia’s victory was sealed by 31-year-old debutant Beau Webster, with an unbeaten 39 to add to 57 in the first innings.
The Indian players now have a short break until Jan. 22, when England arrive for a five-match T20I series and a three-match ODI series. Several Australian players will play matches in the Big Bash T20 League before a two-match Test series in Sri Lanka starts on Jan. 29.
It is to the short format that many eyes will now turn. The BBL runs until Jan. 27. New Zealand’s Super Smash ends on Feb. 2, whilst the Bangladesh Premier League will finish on Feb. 11. In South Africa. the Betway SA20 opened on Jan. 9, followed by the DP World ILT20 on Jan. 11 in the UAE. The draft for the Pakistan Super League is set to take place on Jan. 11, with the start of the tournament pushed back to mid-April so as not to clash with the Champions Trophy. It will, however, clash with the IPL.
Last year there was some disquiet about the movement of players between tournaments. This applied mainly to those who left the ILT20 early to join the PSL and those whose team could not make the final stages of SA20 so switched to ILT20. It is to be hoped the ILT20 squads are more stable in 2025. The league and its franchises have been able to attract some stellar names, with four of especial interest to this column.
Phil Salt, who is currently ranked second for T20I batting in the world and has captained England’s T20I team, played in the SA20 in 2024, before joining the later stages of ILT20. This year, he is committed to the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders.
Pakistan’s Fakhar Zaman last played for his country in the T20 World Cup in June 2024, after which he fell ill. Zaman scored a winning century in the 2017 Champions Trophy and may get another chance in that tournament in February. Prior to that, his talents will be exhibited with the Desert Vipers in ILT20.
Tim Southee ended his illustrious New Zealand career in December 2024. He captained his country in all three formats, claiming 776 wickets, split 50:50 between Tests and short format. In a quick adjustment, he will captain the Sharjah franchise in ILT20. He has also entered the PSL draft.
Dipendra Singh Airee of Nepal has only rubbed shoulders with those in elite international cricket. He began his career as a batter, but his off-spin bowling has developed, whilst his fielding is dynamic. Last April in Oman he joined a select band of players who have scored six sixes in an over. His progress with the Gulf Giants in ILT20 will be watched closely.
The opening match on Jan. 11, is between last year’s winners, Mumbai Indians, and finalists Dubai Capitals. Prior to that, Bollywood stars will formally open the tournament. Channels on which live matches will be shown are Abu Dhabi TV, Dubai TV, ILT20’s YouTube stream and Myco. The market in India is served by the Zee Network of 15 linear TV channels. It is also free to view on India’s leading OTT platform, Zee5. Matches can also be accessed in Afghanistan, Pakistan, the Caribbean, Nepal and, in Europe, via Samsung TV Plus and Rakuten TV. This level of international exposure earned ILT20 over 220 million viewers in 2024, making it the second most watched T20 league after the IPL.
One area in which ILT20 is making strenuous strides to supplement this virtual audience is to increase live audiences. This is easier said than done. Building brand profiles of the six ILT20 franchises is a long-term commitment, both internationally and locally. The latter takes a generation. Graeme Smith, SA20 commissioner, has been critical of ILT20, saying “it is not good for the game, with no investment back into local cricket.” This does not take proper account of ILT20’s policies, its local involvement and, most importantly, the vastly different history and culture of cricket in the two territories. It seems like the battle of the franchises is warming up.
Potter named West Ham boss after Lopetegui sacking
- Former Chelsea boss Graham Potter was named West Ham’s new manager on Thursday on a two-and-a-half-year contract, the club said, a day after sacking Julen Lopetegui
LONDON: Former Chelsea boss Graham Potter was named West Ham’s new manager on Thursday on a two-and-a-half-year contract, the club said, a day after sacking Julen Lopetegui.
Potter, 49, has been out of management since he was sacked by Chelsea in April 2023, just seven months into a five-year contract. He won 12 of his 31 matches in charge.
The Hammers are 14th in the Premier League, seven points above the relegation zone, after six wins in 20 league matches during former Spain and Real Madrid coach Lopetegui’s ill-fated tenure.
A 4-1 hammering at champions Manchester City on Saturday was the final straw for the London club.
“I am delighted to be here,” said Potter.
“It was important to me that I waited until a job came along that I felt was right for me, and equally that I was the right fit for the club I am joining.
“That is the feeling I have with West Ham United.”
Potter began his managerial career at Swedish club Ostersund and had successful spells with Swansea and Brighton before taking over at Stamford Bridge.
His first match will be when West Ham face Aston Villa in the FA Cup third round on Friday prior to Premier League matches against Fulham and Crystal Palace.
Lopetegui was the fifth Premier League manager to lose his job this season, following the sackings of Erik ten Hag (Manchester United), Steve Cooper (Leicester), Gary O’Neil (Wolves) and Russell Martin (Southampton).
West Ham were among the biggest spenders in the Premier League in the summer transfer window, splashing out around £125 million ($155 million) on players including Max Kilman, Crysencio Summerville and Niclas Fullkrug.
“My conversations with the chairman and the board have been very positive and constructive,” said Potter.
“We share the same values of hard work and high energy to create the solid foundations that can produce success.
“And we are on the same wavelength in terms of what is needed in the short term and then how we want to move the Club forward in the medium to long term.”
