What Callum Smith must do to join British boxing’s most enviable club

Sign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The unbroken line goes back to an infamous night at White Hart Lane in 1991 when Chris Eubank became Britain’s first super-middleweight world champion and Michael Watson the sport’s latest victim. Eubank was beaten by Joe Calzaghe in 1997, Calzaghe held versions of the title until 2007, Carl Froch took over between 2008 and 2014 and in other years, often overlapping in classics, Nigel Benn, Robin Reid, Richie Woodall, Glenn Catley, James DeGale and George Groves all held a world super middleweight championship belt. This Saturday, in his second defence, Smith defends his WBA title against London’s John Ryder at the Echo Arena in Liverpool; Smith is considered the best fighter at his weight in the world right now, surrounded by British rivals Chris Eubank Jr and the current WBO super middleweight champion, Billy Joe Saunders. Callum Smith celebrates his victory over Hassan N'Dam However, the British trio have all been linked with Canelo Alvarez, Gennady Golovkin and other established names from boxing’s roll call of big earners.