Can Callum Smith enter the backyard of the undefeated IBF, WBO and WBC light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev and shock the world this Saturday night?
The Liverpudlian has only contested six rounds over two fights at light heavyweight since his transition from middleweight back in 2021. The 33-year-old has only been defeated once in his career in his final world title fight at middleweight against Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.
Smith has shown explosive power throughout his entire career but this has been elevated at 175lbs winning his last outing by knockout in spectacular fashion with a perfect left hook that put Mathieu Bauderlique face first down on the canvas.
Incidentally, in Beterbiev’s last performance against Anthony Yarde in January last year, Yarde’s best weapon of the evening was his left hook, but a shot that isn’t the challenger’s strength.
Does this set up for an exciting prospect of Smith landing his power left hand? Yes. Will Beterbiev be expecting it and probably have worked all camp to tighten that defence? Yes.
Another angle coming into this fight is the possibility of the undefeated champion overlooking Smith as he looks towards an undisputed fight with Dimitry Bivol.
Eddie Hearn has confirmed Bivol has signed for his side of the super fight at light heavyweight to face the Russian-born Canadian, leaving Beterbiev having to beat Smith tomorrow night to set up the biggest fight in the division’s history.
Where To Watch Callum Smith vs. Arthur Beterbiev
The main event ring walks are due to take place at 4 am, early hours of Sunday morning. The fight will go down on:
UK – Sky Sports Action
US – ESPN+
What Do The Odds Say?
The champion is clearly the heavy favourite despite being the shorter, older, less experienced boxer.
Artur Beterbiev 1/4 or 1.25 (Bet365, WilliamHill, Coral, BetVictor, Ladbrokes, BoyleSports)
Callum Smith 7/2 or 4.50 (Skybet, PaddyPower, 888Sport, Betfair, Betfred)
Beterbiev seems to take slightly more time breaking top-level opposition down as he has finished four of his last five fights in rounds 8, 9 and 10.
This would lead us to the safe option of taking the champion in rounds 7-12 to cover all of that basis. Alternatively, if you wish to take a bit more of a risk, it could be narrowed down to Beterbiev in round 9-10.
Finally, if Smith has any chance at the shock upset, it would likely have to stem from his natural power and finish the home fighter.
Safe option: Beterbiev Rounds 7-12 – 11/8 or 2.375
Risk option: Beterbiev Rounds 9-10 – 5/1 or 6.00
Upset option: Smith by KO, TKO or DQ – 29/4 or 8.25
Combat Sports UK Predictions
Nathan – Callum Smith KO/TKO
Rhys – Artur Beterbiev KO/TKO
Have your say on who you think will win this weekend between Callum Smith and Arhur Beterbiev? Leave a comment down below.
Featured image credit to Embed from Getty Images
