Liam Smith is very motivated to become a two-weight world champion.
Smith, a former WBO world champion at 154-pounds, moved up to middleweight earlier this year and pulled of a stunning knockout of Chris Eubank Jr. in a four round upset.
The WBO had named Smith as the mandatory challenger to middleweight world champion Janibek Alimkhanuly.
However, Eubank exercised an immediate rematch clause – forcing Smith to take part in a rematch, which is scheduled for July 1.
Janibek is back on Saturday night, when he defends his world title against Steven Butler.
If both come away with wins in their upcoming fights, Smith would like to get his title crack at Janibek.
“[Janibek is] not really high risk, low reward because the reward is his world title,” Smith told Sky Sports.
“The Denzel Bentley fight has brought [Janibek] down a peg, but still a very good fight. I’ve known of him for a bit, I watched him in the Olympics, saw him beat [Anthony] Fowler in the Olympics. He’s still only had 13 fights, a good fighter.”
Smith lost his WBO 154-pound title in 2016, when he suffered a knockout loss at the hands of Mexican superstar Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.
“One of the parts I’m gutted over – why I want to be world champion again – the world title was won and probably put on top of the washing basket. I just didn’t cherish being world champion,” Smith said.
“I didn’t know how big it was. That’s why I’m desperate, I’d love to be world champion again. Because I’d cherish every bit of it. I know what it means. That’s what I’d love.
“I’ve been the best 154-pound [boxer] in Britain for I don’t know how many years now. I’m now the best 160-pounds too.”