BOXING absolutely explodes into 2024 this weekend when one of the UK’s best champions of this generation takes on the most destructive fighter in the sport today.
Callum Smith has had to wait almost 18 months for a shot at light-heavyweight king Artur Beterbiev and the Scouser knows he will have to fight fire with fire when the bell goes in Quebec, Canada.
Beterbiev has not only won all 19 pro fights, but all by knockout as well.
And yet, when it comes to single shot KO power, long-levered Smith has arguably the more devastating power.
CALLUMUNDO
Most of the 33-year-old’s 21 knockouts from his 29 victories are single shot KO’s; Left hooks, right hands, body shots, you name it, he’s ended fights with them all.
Despite achieving #1 status during a unified 12-stone title reign – including ending the career of George Groves – Smith has appeared even more formidable up at light-heavyweight.
Callum Smith has serious power at Light Heavyweight. It's a big task against Beterbiev, but could this be Smith's time?#boxing #BeterbievSmith pic.twitter.com/tikSMUxLyr
— You Love Boxing (@youloveboxing) January 8, 2024
After losing his belts to Canelo Alvarez in 2020, he has iced both the previously unstopped world title contender Gilberto Castillo and game Frenchman Mathieu Bauderlique in quick succussion at 175lb.
The bitter experience of losing to Canelo is critical too. Smith was heavily criticized for showing a lack of ambition, despite taking the fight at late notice.
He won’t allow himself to misfire once more on the biggest stage and has had well over a year to gameplan. His execution must now be punched to perfection.
MONSTER BASH
At 38 Beterbiev is still one of the very best and yet most underappreciated world champions in boxing.
When fans and media talk about their pound-for-pound lists the former elite amateur is all too often criminally overlooked.
The last man to defeat him is current heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk – in the quarter-finals of the London 2012 Olympics, revenge for a previous victory for Beterbiev.
As a pro, it took him just 12 fights to be crowned world champion and he’s made seven defences, adding two more world titles, along the way.
AMBUSH PREDATOR
Unlike most punchers, Beterbiev doesn’t load up or bully opponents from the start. He is an ambush predator, one that allows his foes to grow in confidence before overwhelming them.
🥊 Last time out, Artur Beterbiev stopped Anthony Yarde in the eighth round of their fight of the year contender.
Beterbiev is back in action against another Brit in Callum Smith this Saturday in Quebec. #BeterbievSmith
👇 How do you see this one going?pic.twitter.com/8IeqztMKX8
— EverythingBoxing (@EverythingBoxi2) January 8, 2024
He wears his prey down via a methodical heavy shelling. Once he smells blood, he flows with relentless, heavy combinations to head and body.
His style means Beterbiev often loses rounds and can be caught clean. But he also has a tremendous chin, an iron will, attributes in combination that have rendered him impossible to defeat.
But, of course, no man is truly unbeatable and, in Smith, Beterbiev faces the most technically astute puncher of his reign.
POWER PLAY
Smith’s signature catch-left hook is as fierce as it is fast and regularly leaves men unconscious. But he also boasts a straight right that’s as formidable as anything coming the other way.
Just ask world title veteran Hassan N’Dam, who got up twice from left hooks only to be obliterated by a gunshot right inside Madison Square Garden in 2019.
Smith is also a legitimate body puncher, something that could come in very handy against a man turning 39 next week.
Timing is everything and if Smith has indeed caught ageing Beterbiev at the right moment then his in-fighting style and electric power is enough to cause a legacy-defining upset.
NICK’S TIP
No rest for the wicked as 2024 starts with an absolute banger. An immovable force meets an unstoppable object. What gives?
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