Artur Beterbiev vs. Callum Smith | Sky Sports - 13 January 2024

[maverick23]

He’s had an age to get ready for Beterbiev and will be hoping that the wear and tear shows on Beterbiev.

Smith has had an age to get rusty.

Yep. I’d be more confident in going for Smith if he’d fought over the summer and looked good. Inactivity doesn’t do anyone any favours.

[TheLeprechaun]

In over his head here is Callum. Hes going to get starched. I think people still don't really understand how good Beterbiev is.

Or how good 39-year-old Beterbiev was - with all his injuries, illnesses, infections (including COVID-19) and very long amateur career with hundreds of bouts ...

He's a consummate professional and we are in a PED era where fighters fight longer. Banking on a guy getting old overnight isnt a good thing.

[TheLeprechaun]

This is a very intriguing fight, I feel if it goes past 5 rounds then its Callum Smiths fight. Thats my gut feeling. If Callum gets hurt early then he will go into his shell but will eventually be tagged, but if Callum boxes smart and doesnt get hurt early he could wear Beterbiev down in the stretch.

If Beterbiev senses he has hurt Smith in the fight, then he will be all over him like a fat kid with a bag of chips.

Beterbievs punch output tends to increase as the fight progresses. A lot of his stoppages are in the last 3-4 rounds of fights.

[margaret thatcher]

This is a very intriguing fight, I feel if it goes past 5 rounds then its Callum Smiths fight. Thats my gut feeling. If Callum gets hurt early then he will go into his shell but will eventually be tagged, but if Callum boxes smart and doesnt get hurt early he could wear Beterbiev down in the stretch.

If Beterbiev senses he has hurt Smith in the fight, then he will be all over him like a fat kid with a bag of chips.

i think the opposite tbh, bert gets stronger as fights go on and the later it goes i think the more likely that it's just been bert banking rounds by having cal shelled up

i think it's cal for whom early success is more important, to get bert's respect and possibly catch him cold. both of bert's kds came within 2 rounds

[Kilburn]

Seems like an easy pick, too much appears to be missing with Smith.

But he’s got some good attributes and Beterbiev isn’t superman. Will look forward to reading the result on Sunday morning.

[omalley]

In over his head here is Callum. Hes going to get starched. I think people still don't really understand how good Beterbiev is.

Or how good 39-year-old Beterbiev was - with all his injuries, illnesses, infections (including COVID-19) and very long amateur career with hundreds of bouts ...

He's a consummate professional and we are in a PED era where fighters fight longer. Banking on a guy getting old overnight isnt a good thing.

The consummate professional professionally and carefully monitors his own health, uses the services of highly qualified specialists and does not get serious jaw bone infection out of nowhere.

[jameswilson]

PED wise I’m sure we’ve all had our doubts over Bertebiev. Any Russian fighter is unfortunately going to be tainted by the countries record of doping but todays news really smells fishy as hell.

Fight goes ahead despite ‘atypical findings’ in regards to HGH and testosterone in one of Bertebiev’s pre fight tests.

[Monzon83]

They’re all doped, I can’t believe anybody thinks otherwise now.

And Hearn can shut it, we know his recent history with Benn, it’s a bit rich he comments on other fighters.

[jameswilson]

They’re all doped, I can’t believe anybody thinks otherwise now.

And Hearn can shut it, we know his recent history with Benn, it’s a bit rich he comments on other fighters.

So by that definition if we assume you support so much as 1 single fighter or like 1 single fighter then you’re not allowed to talk or cast judgement on Hearn as you support dopers but criticise Conor Benn yourself.

[Monzon83]

No I just don’t give a shit what they are on. But I definitely think Hearn is a hypocrite. Who cares what Beterbiev is on, it’s nothing none of his fighters haven’t done.

[TheLeprechaun]

Or how good 39-year-old Beterbiev was - with all his injuries, illnesses, infections (including COVID-19) and very long amateur career with hundreds of bouts ...

He's a consummate professional and we are in a PED era where fighters fight longer. Banking on a guy getting old overnight isnt a good thing.

The consummate professional professionally and carefully monitors his own health, uses the services of highly qualified specialists and does not get serious jaw bone infection out of nowhere.

I assume it's just being unlucky as it is a risk with dental work that you get infections. The lad is always in shape is what I meant. He's been on good PEDs in his career in my opinion also. I suppose they can lead to injuries but I think we have to assume he comes in the same as usual until he shows distinct signs of slippage. When analysing a fight I want to be able to pick my fighter to win based on skills, things like footwork which Beterbiev holds an advantage in here. Inside fighting I'd give to Beterbiev. Callum will struggle to keep the fight at his preferred range. Rather than putting stock into Beterbiev getting old overnight.

[TheLeprechaun]

Seems like an easy pick, too much appears to be missing with Smith.

But he’s got some good attributes and Beterbiev isn’t superman. Will look forward to reading the result on Sunday morning.

Any reason why you won't watch the fight? You don't seem to actually watch many fights? Just an observation. It's odd for a boxing forum. These fights don't come around often. Might as well watch them live and enjoy them.

[wrighty]

I'll try to avoid the results and watch it on YouTube. Hope Smith does well

[handsofstone]

Noticed Sky Sports Mix are showing the main event Sunday morning at 10, get that free

[omalley]

PED wise I’m sure we’ve all had our doubts over Bertebiev. Any Russian fighter is unfortunately going to be tainted by the countries record of doping but todays news really smells fishy as hell.

Fight goes ahead despite ‘atypical findings’ in regards to HGH and testosterone in one of Bertebiev’s pre fight tests.

Beterbiev has been living in Canada for more than 10 years with his entire family, he has Canadian passport, and he is listed everywhere as a Canadian, all these years he has been training in Montreal with local trainer Mark Ramsay.

[jameswilson]

PED wise I’m sure we’ve all had our doubts over Bertebiev. Any Russian fighter is unfortunately going to be tainted by the countries record of doping but todays news really smells fishy as hell.

Fight goes ahead despite ‘atypical findings’ in regards to HGH and testosterone in one of Bertebiev’s pre fight tests.

Beterbiev has been living in Canada for more than 10 years with his entire family, he has Canadian passport, and he is listed everywhere as a Canadian, all these years he has been training in Montreal with local trainer Mark Ramsay.

I guess they screwed Ben Johnson over then.

[MightyWarrior]

It’s a big fight, but nobody's talking about it. Zero in the press. I guess because Smith was instantly forgettable in the Canelo fight, and he’s 5/1 against here, and it’s the other side of the world

But Smith has got balls hasn’t he. imagine being told you’re fighting Canelo, and a little while later you’re taking on Beterbiev, and replying yeah no problem, sign me up.

Buddy Mcgirts a good trainer and thank God for that, because I was wondering what the hell his game plan is here. Maybe he’s looking to walk the old man onto a big punch, and let’s see what happens. You never know when these upsets happen…Smith might be quietly waiting in the shadows here.

Just heard about these ‘adverse findings’… well you could knock me down with a feather. The Russian is very upset about this. Did Smith actually say something or was it just Eddie Hearn? Eddie’s put himself in an awkward position hasn’t he, with Connor f**king Benn.

Good them calling it out though, I hope Smith bombs him out, he hits very hard apparently, and he might just have the better chin out of the two

[omalley]

PED wise I’m sure we’ve all had our doubts over Bertebiev. Any Russian fighter is unfortunately going to be tainted by the countries record of doping but todays news really smells fishy as hell.

Fight goes ahead despite ‘atypical findings’ in regards to HGH and testosterone in one of Bertebiev’s pre fight tests.

Beterbiev has been living in Canada for more than 10 years with his entire family, he has Canadian passport, and he is listed everywhere as a Canadian, all these years he has been training in Montreal with local trainer Mark Ramsay.

I guess they screwed Ben Johnson over then.

Why go so far and beyond, there are cases of Jean Pascal and Lucian Bute.

[omalley]

Just heard about these ‘adverse findings’…

Strictly speaking, not ‘adverse findings’, but ‘atypical findings’...

[Blueprint]

Bertrbiev was probably at the end of a cycle.

[Kilburn]

Seems like an easy pick, too much appears to be missing with Smith.

But he’s got some good attributes and Beterbiev isn’t superman. Will look forward to reading the result on Sunday morning.

Any reason why you won't watch the fight? You don't seem to actually watch many fights? Just an observation. It's odd for a boxing forum. These fights don't come around often. Might as well watch them live and enjoy them.

I think you’re mistaking me for another poster re not watching many fights. And if you’re not, then your “observation” is pretty bizarre to say the least.

Yeah there is a reason why I won’t be watching this fight (live at least) - I’m not a Sky Sports subscriber and Sundays are far too busy for me, to be getting up at silly o’clock in the morning to watch via NowTV.

When you say these fights don’t come around too often, are you referring to the kind of one-sided affair you were predicting earlier? We’ve seen a few of those lately (even I’ve watched them!)

[TheLeprechaun]

Seems like an easy pick, too much appears to be missing with Smith.

But he’s got some good attributes and Beterbiev isn’t superman. Will look forward to reading the result on Sunday morning.

Any reason why you won't watch the fight? You don't seem to actually watch many fights? Just an observation. It's odd for a boxing forum. These fights don't come around often. Might as well watch them live and enjoy them.

I think you’re mistaking me for another poster re not watching many fights. And if you’re not, then your “observation” is pretty bizarre to say the least.

Yeah there is a reason why I won’t be watching this fight (live at least) - I’m not a Sky Sports subscriber and Sundays are far too busy for me, to be getting up at silly o’clock in the morning to watch via NowTV.

When you say these fights don’t come around too often, are you referring to the kind of one-sided affair you were predicting earlier? We’ve seen a few of those lately (even I’ve watched them!)

I think I'm mixing you up with another chap.

A brit challenging for the right to be number 1 at the weight is a decent fight.

I think it hasn't caught on because Callum is a boring guy. He seems like a nice fellow but I already know the answers to the questions he's getting asked before he answers them. The press conference earlier was a tough watch. I kind of respect that though. He comes in and attempts to do his talking in the ring. Beterbiev isn't exactly Muhammad Ali in the speech department either.

[jameswilson]

Yeah you're right Callum isn't a great talker. He was exciting in the ring on the way up tho altho he's obviously been inactive since (and just before) Canelo.

Liam and Paul have/had a bit of sh1thouse about them so they were usually good value in a presser.

[coneye]

Can't bank on a fighter getting old overnight , so for me its Beterbiev and comfortable , Smith shown in the Canelo fight he's just not there mentaly , Beterbiev will put a few early hard ones on him and Smith will go into survival mode , you just can't train what he needs into someone , ,

[The Gratest]

Beterbiev reminds me a lot of Kostya Tzyu. His stance, his pace, movement, each punch thrown with bad intentions, looks like he could be outsped and outboxed, never panics or shows signs of distress, but applies constant pressure and breaks opponents down in such an effective manner.

Yarde had his moments against him and put up a decent performance, but it became more and more apparent that he was being systematically broken down and it would just be a matter of time. He caught Biev with some decent punches, but he just took a moment to move, regroup, then came back at Yarde. Biev throws every punch with power, I could actually hear them landing at times against Yarde. If Canelo's power could make Smith go into his shell, then it might well be a repeat performance once Biev starts landing and the shots thumping home.