THE size of Callum Smithโs task on Saturday night (January 13) is evident.
Artur Beterbiev is unbeaten in 19 fights, has either stopped or knocked out all his opponents, and is rightly known as one of the most devastating fighters in boxing. But with his 39th birthday fast approaching, is this the right time for someone like Smith to capitalise?
The first big fight of 2024 pits two big punching light-heavyweights against one another and Beterbiev, the champion, is the odds-on favourite to get the job done. But what does the trade think? Boxing News contacted a number of figures within the industry to get their predictions on the fight.
- Anthony Yarde (Light-heavyweight contender) – I think Beterbiev’s eventually going to figure Smith out and his calculated pressure will corner him and land the shots. Smith’s a dangerous fighter, great left hook. If Smith can set his feet and land the left hook it could be a very interesting fight.
- Charlie Edwards (Former WBC belt-holder) โ I believe Callum Smith will be the man to knock Beterbiev out. I think he catches him in the mid-rounds.
- Anthony Farnell (Trainer) โ I think Smith wins inside the distance. The straight right will do it, similar to when Smith dropped Hassan NโDam. He just canโt hold his feet for too long because thatโs what Beterbiev wants.
- Conor Quinn (Flyweight prospect) โ I think Callum Smith wins by TKO/KO in the later rounds. Beterbiev is coming to the tail end of his career and Smith is very sharp especially with his catch counters.
- Nathaniel Collins (British featherweight champion) โ I predict a Beterbiev stoppage win. I wouldnโt write Callum off as he has power, reach and good inside work, too. I just think Beterbiev will be too strong, and his pressure will be too much for Smith and he will eventually crumble.
- Carl Greaves (Promoter/trainer) โ Beterbiev is a formidable champ, but he is starting to look vulnerable, and I think heโs ready for the taking. Callum is a different fighter at light-heavyweight. Artur is still very dangerous with KO power in both hands and Callum has to box clever and make no mistakes, but I think heโs going to cause an upset and stop Beterbiev late.
- Bradley Rea (Super-middleweight contender) โ Iโm backing a Smith Beterbievโs age has to catch up with some point, he canโt go on forever. Heโs shown that he can be hurt, and Smith seems to be a monster since moving up to light-heavyweight.
- Gary Lockett (Trainer) โ Boxing is about timing, and I think maybe weโre starting to see some cracks appear with Beterbiev. Callum has been on the verge of something big for years now. Heโs world-class and the move up in weight has benefitted him. Beterbiev is a huge puncher and a fearsome fighter, but I think the time is right for Callum to fulfil his potential and rip the titles away. Callum Smith by stoppage.
- Bec Connolly (Featherweight) โ Iโm going with Smith. Beterbiev might be a fearsome puncher, but I think Smith has all the attributes needed to do this.
- Andy Lee (Trainer) โ Itโs a great fight and either man can win it.
- Emma Dolan (Super-flyweight contender) โ I canโt imagine Beterbiev getting hurt. Heโs a very strong solid man but Callum Smith is the younger man and proven. Heโs got the power at light-heavyweight. I donโt see it going to points. Iโd say Smith by stoppage between rounds eight and 12.
- Hannah Rankin (Former WBA super-welterweight belt-holder) โ Although Beterbiev has had to overcome a few injuries lately and some may think heโs on the slide, I do feel that should he come through the early rounds where Callum will be most dangerous then it will be Beterbiev by stoppage in the second half of the fight.
- Jon Pegg (Trainer/manager) โ Smith with a counter left-hook that causes a stoppage in round eight after an early scare.
- Jay Harris (British flyweight champion) โ I think Callum Smith will KO him within eight rounds.
- Mark Jeffers (Super-middleweight contender) โ Iโm going to go with Callum Smith on points. I thought Beterbievโs timing against Yarde looked well off and I think Smith might be that bit too fresh.
- Lerrone Richards (Light-heavyweight contender) โ This is a hard one for me to call, so Iโm going to sit on the fence.
- Steve Goodwin (Promoter/manager) โ Despite Beterbiev being a fading force, I just believe he will have too much for Callum who does not have the same momentum he once had. I go for Beterbiev by stoppage.
- Kevin Maree (Manager) โ Callum Smith has a hell of a chance, but I think inactivity could catch him out in this one. Think Callum will start well, possibly even drop Beterbiev but I go for Beterbiev to weather the storm and stop Callum late.
- Sam Noakes (Lightweight contender) โ I think Callum Smith might do the job. Since heโs moved up, heโs looked unreal and dominant.
- Leigh Wood (Former WBA featherweight belt-holder) โ Callum Smith by knockout. I think Callum will catch him on the counter. Heโs very composed in the high guard and I think Callum will have success countering off it.
- Steve Wood (Manager/Promoter) โ Callum has a chance, but it has to be early. If he can land early, then a KO win is a possibility. But more likely Beterbiev gets in a groove, and I see him winning with a late KO.
- Harry Scarff (British welterweight champion) โ Iโd like to see Smith start fast as I think Beterbiev starts a bit slow. But I believe Beterbiev is just going to be that bit too strong down the stretch similar to Canelo vs Smith. Close fight but Beterbiev on points.
- Maxi Hughes (Lightweight contender) โ Iโm picking Callum Smith. The reason why is the advantage in Callum being younger, fresher at the weight and Beterbiev being 38 years of age. Heโs been in hard fights. I think father time will catch up. Itโs Callumโs big opportunity and that can bring the best out in him.
- Richard Farnan (Cutman/trainer) โ I think Beterbiev will win by late stoppage. Beterbiev is a beast at this weight, isnโt war-torn in any way regardless of his age. Heโs a fighter thatโs not had many wars and has ended fights early. Callumโs only chance is to box and move and not try and stand toe-to-toe with him.
- Linus Udofia (Middleweight contender) โ A closer fight than people think but Artur Beterbiev to win via late stoppage or points majority decision. Smith is long and rangy which could cause him problems, but Smith wonโt stand toe-to-toe which will be an advantage for him. Beterbiev wins though.
- Nina Hughes (WBA bantamweight belt holder) โ Beterbiev is strong and relentless. Callum Smith can fight inside and at range. I think Callum can stop him late.
- Matthew Hatton (Trainer) โ Itโs a great fight. A toss of a coin. Callum looks much better at light-heavyweight. If it was my last pound, Iโd have to put it on Artur Beterbiev. I just canโt back against a guy with that record, that many knockouts. Beterbiev by late stoppage.
- Josh Taylor (Former super-lightweight world champion) I think Callum will do it. The two of them are coming off quite long layoffs. That may play a factor. Ultimately Callumโs younger and fresher, heโs had less damage on the clock, and I think he could break him down and stop him with a signature left hook to the head. Weโve seen Beterbiev hurt a few times. Iโm going to go with Callum Smith, and I wouldnโt be surprised if he stopped him.
- Liam Dillon (British super-featherweight champion) – I think Callum Smith wins on points. Artur Beterbiev is very strong and a massive puncher, and against Yarde he proved he has a very good chin, so I don’t think Smith will get the stoppage. I believe the fight will be competitive, but I think with Smith’s experience and skill he’ll win the fight convincingly.
- Joe Hughes (Former European super-lightweight champion) โ Iโm going with Smith on points. I think heโll have to go through some rough moments but will win a close decision.
- Michael McKinson (Welterweight contender) โ I think Callum Smith stops Beterbiev mid to late rounds. Heโs looked so big and strong at 175lbs. I also think it is perfect timing for him. Neither have been very active, but Beterbiev is 38, and was down on the cards against Yarde before he got the stoppage.
- Gary Logan (Trainer) โ Beterbiev truly is an impressive box-puncher. His pressure either puts you in a hole where you donโt punch back, or his power overwhelms if you do punch with him. Callum is the best (other than Gvozdyk) that Beterbiev will have faced to this point. So much grace, poise, ability, and power. But Callumโs inactivity has been a longer period than Beterbievโs enforced lay off. Thatโs huge for me. Going for Beterbiev by late round stoppage.
- Owen Cooper (Welterweight prospect) โ I believe Callum Smith I thought Yarde put up a great fight against Beterbiev and showed a couple of weaknesses. Smithโs inactivity could play a part, but Beterbiev isnโt getting any younger and I think the youth, size and boxing ability of Smith gets him the win.
- Jack Bateson (Featherweight contender) โ I think Callum Smith will win by KO. Beterbiev is known as a wrecking machine and when he gets close has the power to KO anyone. However, Callum has shown he has the power to do the same. Callum has the boxing ability along with the reach to keep Beterbiev at bay and out-box him and could catch him late.
- Jamie Conlan (Promoter) โ I really think Callum Smith wins by KO. It could be a real shoot-out that doesnโt go past six rounds. Beterbiev has scary power, but time waits for no man, and this could be perfect timing. Callum is tall and can expose the openings of Beterbiev when heโs coming forward. It could be a case of whoever lands first.
- Lyndon Arthur (Light-heavyweight contender) โ I think it depends how much Beterbievโs got left in him. I donโt think itโs going to be an easy fight, but I do think if Beterbievโs got anything left in him heโll take the victory.
- Mark Dunlop (Promoter) โ I think Beterbiev will win by 10th round stoppage. Callum has only had six competitive rounds in over two years which could be the telling factor once the fight goes deep. But I would not rule out an upset with Smith being the bigger and younger man.
- Sol Dacres (Heavyweight prospect) –ย Beterbievย late stoppage.
- Junaid Bostan (Super-welterweight prospect) – When Beterbiev fought Yarde I said the two men who beat him at 175 are Bivol and Smith.ย Smithย stoppage.
- Padraig McCrory (Light-heavyweight contender) – I think Smith can do it by knockout. He was a big strong super-middleweight and he’s filled into a bigger stronger light-heavyweight and I think he can do the job.
- Reece Mould (Lightweight contender) – I’m going to go for Callum Smithย on points. I think his boxing ability is better and he can do it all so I’m going to edge with him.
- Aston Brown (Middleweight prospect) –ย Callum Smithย to walk him onto a catch counter. I don’t think there is going to be a feeling out process in this fight. Both will be flat out from the word go. Beterbiev’s dangerous at all times but Callum’s a bit cuter and will nail him.
- Jack Massey (Cruiserweight contender) – I’m going for aย Callum Smith check left hook KO. He has the punching power that will stop Beterbiev from just walking forward.
- Ekow Essuman (Welterweight contender) – Smith’s been operating at a class level, Beterbiev’s has been operating at an exceptional level. However, father time will always show himself eventually. I believe if Callum is to make the most of his stake in this match he’s got to hurt Beterbiev first.
Result: Beterbiev 14 votes, Smith 27 votes, undecided three votes
And for even more industry predictions collected by BN click the video below.