November 23, 2024

Joe Gallagher: Smith vs Brähmer should be on neutral ground

Joe Gallagher is hoping for a neutral site for Callum Smith to face Jürgen Brähmer.

Photo by Mark Robinson/Getty Images

Trainer Joe Gallagher is hesitant to have his fighter Callum Smith sent to Germany for a World Boxing Super Series semifinal matchup with Jürgen Brähmer, suggesting the fight should be on neutral ground.

“For the semi-final, I do think it should be on neutral ground. I don’t think it should be in England and I don’t think it should be in Germany,” he told Sky Sports. … “Put it in Monte Carlo, Monaco, or you can put it in Dublin. I’m sure they would love it over there. Amsterdam is one, or even put one of them [semi-finals] over in America. But I don’t think it should either be in Germany or the UK. It needs to be on neutral ground.”

Smith (23-0, 17 KO) beat Erik Skoglund by decision in the quarterfinal at home in Liverpool, while Brähmer (49-3, 35 KO) defeated Rob Brant at home in Schwerin, Germany.

Brähmer, 39, hasn’t fought outside of Germany since 2009, when he defeated Aleksy Kuziemski in Budapest. And that’s the only time he’s ever boxed outside of Germany as a professional.

There are also some questions about him actually being able to travel to fight in other countries, as he’s an ex-con, which can make it difficult for fighters or anyone to travel to other countries. The last time he was scheduled to fight in another country, he pulled out of a UK clash with Nathan Cleverly, citing an eye injury. It was hardly a shock to the boxing world that he wound up not going through with that fight.

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