“Disappointed. I’m used to being the best. I always believed I was the best and accepting that I’m not is hard. It’s a hard one to take, but the better man won tonight. He stopped me getting my rhythm. His power, he’s stopped me, but until I went down, I didn’t feel anything power-wise, but more it’s just constantly touching, stopping you getting any rhythm. But no excuses, the better man won. 

“My performance wasn’t the best, but he’s a good champion, turned up and did what he was supposed to do. I don’t think he’s the hardest to hit, boxing ability-wise I thought he was pretty reasonable. Whether he felt anything, I’m not sure. He’s a good fighter, he’s a world champion for a reason,” Smith said 

Smith’s Options

Nevertheless, there is still plenty of time for Smith to consider his options. The winner of Bivol-Beterbiev could well end up retiring or moving to cruiserweight. If that were the case, it would put Smith in a solid position to fight for the belts again. There is also a chance that Smith has big domestic fights at his disposal. 

Anthony Yarde and Lyndon Arthur are still available in his weight class. Although they do not offer him the chance to take a belt, it will allow him to secure a mega payday and the right to be considered the best in Britain. There is also the outside chance of Smith moving up to cruiserweight.

He could call out Chris Billam-Smith, who holds the WBO belt. Despite being a world champion, he is seen as the weaker of the champions in the weight class. But if those reasons are insufficient to get Smith back into the ring, he may call it a day. But if he was to do that, he may well want to go out on a win. Time will tell how it all plays out in the future.