Callum Smith has dismissed his rival Chris Eubank Jr as not having the ability to challenge at the highest level.
The pair could have met in 2018 at the World Boxing Super Series but Eubank Jr lost his semi-final against George Groves. Smith vanquished Groves in the final to win the Muhammad Ali Trophy.
After growing frustrated with British promoters, Eubank Jr has signed to Team Sauerland. Smith does not feel the change is enough to help him secure a title.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Smith said that being Eubank Sr’s son will keep him in the frame for big fights, but he does not believe the 31-year-old WBA interim champion will be able to claim a definitive belt.
"He can get in the mix because his name always brings a lot," Smith said. “He carries his dad's name so he has a big profile. He talks a good fight so will always talk himself into big fights.
"But as we've seen in the Billy Joe Saunders fight [when Eubank Jr lost his undefeated record in 2014] and the Groves fight, when he steps up to the highest level his lack of boxing ability seems to let him down.
"He is very fit, athletic, strong. He's a better middleweight than he is a super-middleweight.
"But at the very top level he lacks the natural ability to beat the top guys.
"He will always be in a position to be in those fights. But I don't see him beating any of the top ones."
Kalle Sauerland is aiming to secure a warm-up fight for Eubank given his lack of action — he has not fought in over a year — before attempting to set up a fight with IBF middleweight champion Gennadiy Golovkin.