People are mixed about who wins this Saturday’s clash between IBF, WBC & WBO light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev and Callum Smith on January 13th at the Centre Videotron in Quebec, Canada.
Promoter Eddie Hearn is predicting a complete annihilation by Callum (29-1, 21 KOs), visualizing a one-punch left hook knockout by the former WBA super middleweight champion over Beterbiev (19-0, 19 KOs).
Hearn has this crazy look in his eyes when he speaks about Callum knocking out Beterbiev, and you can tell that he really believes it’s possible. He knows what’s possible for Smith match, to face Dmitry Bivol for all the marbles potentially in Saudi Arabia for a pot of gold.
Hearn hasn’t abandoned Callum Smith despite many fans jumping ship after watching him fall apart against Canelo Alvarez in 2020 and seemingly avoiding fighting the best ever since that crushing defeat. Eddie has shown loyalty to Callum, sticking by his side, and is rooting like mad for him to win on Saturday night.
Callum’s brother, Liam Smith, also sees him doing the job, saying that Beterbiev has gotten old and will turn 40 a week after the fight on January 21.
Beterbiev’s aggressiveness vs. Callum’s youth
Beterbiev turns 39 on that date, which obviously is pretty much the same as being 40, but with his power and Callum’s tendency to shrink from trench warfare, we could be a one-sided beatdown on Saturday night that doesn’t end well for the tall, 6’4″ Smith.
Callum hates when his opponents attack him, and Beterbiev is a pure all-out monster inside the ring and will be all over the timid Liverpool native, beating him black & blue until the referee steps in if Smith doesn’t show some backbone.
Smith must stay on the outside
“Of course, this is boxing; anything can happen. Year by year, we are not getting younger, but still, we are seeing with styles. If we see with Callum Smith’s style, he lets his opponents come too close, but he’s tall and he’s letting them come close. For Beterbiev, he likes it,” said Dmitry Bivol to Boxing News, discussing the Artur Beterbiev vs. Callum Smith fight next Saturday, January 13th, in Quebec City, Canada.
Callum’s big chance
“A massive opportunity for Callum to become a two-weight champion to win three belts at light heavyweight, and it’s one that we’re very confident in,” said Liam Smith.
“He’s [Beterbiev] stopped everyone he’s been in the ring with, but do that at your own risk of being flattened yourself. I think Callum is one of the biggest punchers in the light heavyweight division at the moment.”
If Callum wins, it could be him who faces WBA champion Dmitry Bivol for the undisputed championship. Whether that fight takes in Saudi Arabia or the UK, it doesn’t matter.
It would mean a lot of money for Callum and would enhance his legacy, giving him a shot at capturing all the belts. Who knows? It might even result in Canelo Alvarez looking his way for a rematch and a chance to win all the belts at 175 for himself.
Has Beterbiev gotten old?
“If Anthony Yarde can rock him [Beterbiev] to his boots, and if Callum Johnson can drop him, Callum Smith can knock him flat out. In every fight that Artur Beterbiev has ever had, you’ve got your pros and your cons,” said Liam.
“Yeah, he’s an animal. Yeah, he’s a massive puncher, and he’s a very good fighter, also and not just a massive puncher. Yes, he’s vulnerable. Yes, he’s been down. Yes, he gets hit.
“Yes, he’s getting very, very old. He’s 39, I think,” said Liam about Beterbiev. “I think he’s 40 a week later, I’m sure. I’m sure he’s 40 or 39 a week later. Again, that’s going to take a toll sooner or later.
“I think if it’s the same Beterbiev we got against Anthony Yarde,” Callum Smith wins.
