BoxRec

If Callum puts in a great performance then there are still good pay days for him against domestic rivals.
Win, lose or draw I hope he does himself justice. I agree with other posters, he didn't perform against Alvarez.

cmon lets get behind the brit here !

ok he wasnt up to par vs canelo - nobody ever is at 168 .

he knows he needs to outperform to win and has a great chance .

beterbiev has looked great but mainly vs middle of the road opposition and his resume isnt really special .

I like the Smith brothers, as fighters, Liam, Callum and Paul. All good fighters and good men.

However, Callum is up against it here, big time. Beterbiev is one hard dude, who just breaks you down and thumps the cr*p out of you.

Yarde did ok against him but never seriously bothered him. Sure, landed some big shots and Yarde can punch but he got outmuscled and banged out. Can't see Callum having the same impact, and he is a good boxer with a decent dig but at this level and against Beterbiev, it will be hard.

He went into a shell vs Canelo and Beterbiev is bigger, stronger, punches harder and is more robust than Canelo.

I hope I am wrong.

apologies if someone has already mentioned this, but he really needs to protect his biceps

NazNaci1 wrote: ↑29 Nov 2023, 13:16 I like the Smith brothers, as fighters, Liam, Callum and Paul. All good fighters and good men.

However, Callum is up against it here, big time. Beterbiev is one hard dude, who just breaks you down and thumps the cr*p out of you.

Yarde did ok against him but never seriously bothered him. Sure, landed some big shots and Yarde can punch but he got outmuscled and banged out. Can't see Callum having the same impact, and he is a good boxer with a decent dig but at this level and against Beterbiev, it will be hard.

He went into a shell vs Canelo and Beterbiev is bigger, stronger, punches harder and is more robust than Canelo.

I hope I am wrong.

I agree with everything you say but there’s also a chance that Beterbiev isn’t what he once was. Whilst Yarde fought v.well against him, I don’t think I’ve seen Beterbiev as open as that before.

He’s been inactive, has had a long career (am and pro) and recently been suffering with injuries.

I think Smith is very much live in this one but we’ll probably know in round 1 how it will go.

Press Release | Undercard Information

On January 13, the Centre Videotron will kick off the new year in a big way in Quebec, as the unified world light heavyweight champion, Artur Beterbiev, puts his belts on the line against the former super middleweight monarch, now the #1 contender in the light heavyweight division, Callum Smith.

In addition to this highly anticipated bout for boxing enthusiasts, three other championship fights will take place: Christian Mbilli defending his WBC Continental Americas title against Rohan Murdock, Jason Moloney attempting to claim the WBO world bantamweight belt from Saul Sanchez, and Imam Khataev having the opportunity to secure his first professional career title, the NABF against Rodolfo Gomez Jr.

Leila Beaudoin, Wilkens Mathieu, Christopher Guerrero, Mehmet Unal, and Moreno Fendero will also take part in this already historic gala!

Khataev (5-0, 5 KOs), managed to impress the Montreal organization's fans in his 2 outings in Quebec, with a performance marked by devastating power and solid technical abilities. The challenge will be elevated for him, currently ranked 184th globally, as he faces the 68th-ranked American standing at 6'3'', Rodolfo Gomez Jr (14-7-3, 10 KOs), in a scheduled 10-round bout for the NABF light-heavyweight title.

Nicknamed "Cobrita," Gomez Jr has accumulated 125 rounds of experience, besides being a tough boxer known for the wars he's fought, notably against Diego Pacheco and Ahmed Elbiali.

Beaudoin's return (10-1, 1 KO) to Quebec City since her professional debut in October 2019 as she faces a significant challenge. She will confront the opponent who handed her the only defeat of her career on May 23rd in Cuernavaca, Mexico: Elizabeth Chavez Espinoza (4-4-3).

"I'm really looking forward to avenging my defeat and having the Quebec crowd behind me for this fight. I'm prepared to deliver a flawless performance, dominate Espinoza from the 1st to the last round. There will be no room for doubt in the judges' minds on January 13th at the Centre Vidéotron. I'm coming with a fierce determination and making it my duty!" says Beaudoin.

Mathieu (5-0, 3 KOs) who will finally be able to showcase his talent in front of his hometown. A Quebec native, celebrating his 19th birthday a few days earlier, he aims to gift himself a striking victory against his opponent, whose name will be revealed later.

"It will be a great birthday gift for me to start this new year by fighting in Quebec. Knowing the boxing fans in the area, I'm convinced they'll create an electrifying atmosphere, and that energy will fuel me in the ring! It'll be an explosive fight to kick off the year and for the fans in my hometown!" said Mathieu.

For his 10th career fight, #5 Canadian in the welterweight division, Guerrero (9-0, 5 KOs), aims to continue his streak of 5 spectacular victories by KO. He will face Sergio Garcia Herrera (7-3, 4 KOs), who makes his 2nd visit to Canada, having handed the #3 Canadian, Adrian Bembridge, his only career defeat by stopping him in the 2nd round last March. An intense battle is expected given the pace adopted by the Montrealer in his recent fights and the equally explosive offensive style of his opponent.

Still in the light heavyweight division, spectators will have the opportunity to witness the Turkish-origin boxer Mehmet Unal (7-0, 6 KOs) in an 8-round fight against Dragan Lepei (22-6-2, 10 KOs). Also representing the 160 division, the charismatic southpaw nicknamed "the Soldier," Moreno Fendero (2-0, 1 KO), will face Victor Hugo Flores (7-2, 3 KOs).

Not long to go...it's been a long wait

While Smith does have genuine KO power and can turn a fight in an instant, it's impossible to forget him accepting 2nd place against Canelo.

Beterbiev is in a very similar mould to Canelo with his brute strength and excellent skills, but applies even more pressure. The only upside for an opponent is that Artur leaves himself more open.

If Smith comes to fight (and big respect to him if he does) then it has to be a stoppage win for Beterbiev, but if Callum tastes that power of Artur's early doors and realises it's too much, then i think it will be a hands up, slip & slide points loss.

THEBUTCH wrote: ↑29 Dec 2023, 10:29 Not long to go...it's been a long wait

While Smith does have genuine KO power and can turn a fight in an instant, it's impossible to forget him accepting 2nd place against Canelo.

Beterbiev is in a very similar mould to Canelo with his brute strength and excellent skills, but applies even more pressure. The only upside for an opponent is that Artur leaves himself more open.

If Smith comes to fight (and big respect to him if he does) then it has to be a stoppage win for Beterbiev, but if Callum tastes that power of Artur's early doors and realises it's too much, then i think it will be a hands up, slip & slide points loss.

Callum doesn't like getting hit and will go into survival mode again but will realize that he won't be able to get through the fight with those tactics.

cal by ko

To be brutally honest. I had Callum to do much better v Canelo. John Ryder maybe has set a level there.
However I’ll back Callum one last time b fore my wallet says “no”

I’m not Callum Smith’s biggest fan, I think he lost to Ryder & accepted a loss far too easily against Canelo but I reckon he’s getting Berterbiev at the right time with the surgery & the decline shown / unconvincing performance against Yarde I’m going to back him to pull off the upset & stop him.

a force wrote: ↑29 Dec 2023, 13:58 I’m not Callum Smith’s biggest fan, I think he lost to Ryder & accepted a loss far too easily against Canelo but I reckon he’s getting Berterbiev at the right time with the surgery & the decline shown / unconvincing performance against Yarde I’m going to back him to pull off the upset & stop him.

Me too, he's 39 next month.

Amazing career he's had, fought so many people as an am too.

I do wonder why he never stepped up to Cruiser at least though, he fought successfully there as an am (HW am)

I think its going to tell you excatly where Callum is at , he disapeared against Canelo , and its easy to say he was like a deer in the headlights , he got star struck ,
BUT it should'nt happen twice , i expect him to give his best and just take it from there , unfortunatly i think his best is going to depend on how far past his best is Beterbiev

Beterbiev should still have enough to break down Smith and stop him. I hope he does too. I would hate for him to have never fought Bivol

Gran Hermano wrote: ↑31 Dec 2023, 05:16 Beterbiev should still have enough to break down Smith and stop him. I hope he does too. I would hate for him to have never fought Bivol

I’m going to lay a few quid on Smith (not confidently). B has been making 175 for years after being Heavyweight as an amateur (as far back as 2012) recent operation, poor activity (as per Smith to be fair), the idea that he’s got to lose it sometime plus the fact that this will stop the fight at LHW that everybody actually wants to see

Stevieaber wrote: ↑31 Dec 2023, 07:31

Gran Hermano wrote: ↑31 Dec 2023, 05:16 Beterbiev should still have enough to break down Smith and stop him. I hope he does too. I would hate for him to have never fought Bivol

I’m going to lay a few quid on Smith (not confidently). B has been making 175 for years after being Heavyweight as an amateur (as far back as 2012) recent operation, poor activity (as per Smith to be fair), the idea that he’s got to lose it sometime plus the fact that this will stop the fight at LHW that everybody actually wants to see

Arguably similar to AJ vs Wilder. We've all wanted Beterbiev vs Bivol for years in the same way. Beterbiev and Wilder are both 38 year old powerful punchers who leave themselves open defensively. Opponents are experienced and comparatively younger while only losing to top opposition. Only difference is that Parker has kept himself active while Smith hasn't.

Agree with a lot of that but Beterbiev has far better fundamentals than Wilder.

BigGar wrote: ↑31 Dec 2023, 10:32 Agree with a lot of that but Beterbiev has far better fundamentals than Wilder.

Oh, 100%. Even if Beterbiev loses he would be number 3 in the division. He's currently 1/2 without a doubt. There's just certain parallels which often occur before a boxer becomes past it. If you can predict it right then there's money to be made on an upset.

I'm as guilty as everyone else in predicting his age-related demise, but it is mightily impressive that he has a 100% KO record.

Can't wait for this.

Hearn expects Smith to get the job done.

I want Beterbiev vs. Bivol.

We never got to see Kovalev-Stevenson.

Give us Beterbiev-Bivol at least..

Bivol-Bet is up there with Spinks-Braxton

BBN asked their panel of experts who they predict will win and why:

Dmitry Bivol WBA Super light-heavyweight champion

“I am giving more credit to Beterbiev because he has more experience and he is a tough fighter. Smith will want him to come close to him, he has long arms, but he usually closes the distance, he doesn’t use his arms and for Beterbiev that is good.”

Eddie Hearn Matchroom Boxing promoter

“Callum Smith is going to knock Beterbiev spark out! You know, like a face-down type of knockout!”

“Listen, you’re not being very brave because Beterbiev is the favorite. Watch. See this now. Sometimes you see it, and he’s [Callum Smith] is going to be up against the ropes, and Beterbiev is going to come in like he does and square up his feet, and Callum is going to do what he does best, which is to catch-counter with the left hook with a one-punch knockout.

“He’s definitely slipping. He’s like 39 years old, but he’s also a beast. He’s unbelievable. Sooner or later [he’s going to get beat].

“[Joe] Smith is done. Marcus Browne is a good fighter. How long ago was that? A year ago. No, it wasn’t. Did you see the Yarde fight?”

Tim Rickson BBN Editor

“With his fearsome record and aggressive style of fighting, it's easy to envisage yet another knockout win for Beterbiev. However, I'm envisaging a closely fought first half of the fight, with Beterbiev coming on strong late.

“Anthony Yarde showed the world that Beterbiev can be pushed back and hurt. There were a few occasions last January where Yarde landing a clean shot and forced Beterbiev to take a backwards step, however his head clears within 10 seconds and he turns it around quickly to get back on the offensive once more.

“With Smith much taller, bigger and with a longer reach, I think he could take control early but Beterbiev is a fighter you can keep away for long, so he will begin to catch up as the fight wears on.

“Smith has a ramrod jab, if he can use that to keep the distance whilst staying on the move and pivoting to his left constantly, then he could rack up an early lead. Canelo gave him hell during the championship rounds of their 2020 fight but Smith bravely got through quite a battering to hear the final bell, so he is as tough as they come. This is up at 175lbs and Beterbiev's stats speak for themselves, so Smith may not be able to endure the same punishment at the hands of this man. But Smith can punch too, and Beterbiev is getting on a bit at the age of 38 now. After 325 fights, that's a lot of years and mileage on the clock.

“I'm hoping Smith gets an early lead and maintains it to secure a points decision, but I actually think Beterbiev wins a good contest on points.”

Scott Christ Bad Left Hook

“I like Smith’s chances, as far as +500 underdogs go. He’s tempting at those odds, because he can punch and Beterbiev doesn’t exactly avoid confrontation.

“But I think it comes down to all-around offensive skill sets and the real estate of the fight. If Smith cracks Beterbiev at length, he’s incredibly dangerous here. If it gets into close quarters, which Beterbiev is extremely good at forcing, his still often overlooked skills should be too much for Smith, who is good at what he does, but what he does has its limits, which we’ve seen repeatedly.

“People still think of Beterbiev only as a mauler, and while I think it’s fair to think of him mainly as a mauler, there is technique, skill, and intelligence to what he does. Smith can knock him out; Smith can knock anyone out if he lands the right shot. But I’m going with the smart money on Beterbiev here. He’ll wear Smith down and stop him in the back end of the fight.

“Beterbiev TKO-9.”

Ezzard wrote: ↑03 Jan 2024, 05:59 Bivol-Bet is up there with Spinks-Braxton

I do want Smith to win but I also want to see Bivol vs Bertebiev with both going in undefeated.

Smith can look devastating, but there are question marks when the heat is put back his way. Yarde is much fresher than Smith and even with him having the fight of his life he came up well short.

Main factor here is Beterbiev's age. If he's anything near top form then I expect him to win.

Smith is a live underdog.