BoxRec

I'd like to see if Callum Smith can unlock a disciplined defence, he is destructive against wild punching opposition or someone has already hurt. It'd do him no harm having to place his shots and avoid a strong jab. I think he'd do well and it'd bstand him in good stead for becoming a dominant champion. It is a bit sad that a boxer races to become a champion and then clearly avoids better fighters, it'd be better they became champion and were confident enough to face anyone in the division.

Smith looked phenomenal last night.

I've always rated him (how can you not) but I've tried holding back jumping on the "future superstar" bandwagon... but it's becoming more and more difficult. He looks an absolute machine.

Massive for the weight, can box long, is completely at home unleashing bombs on the inside (something he does extremely well for a big lad with long levers), classy shot selection and he can bang!

The way he rips the left hooks in - to the body and the head - is top class. At one point towards the end, he whipped in a left to the body and it nearly ripped Mohoumadi in half.

He's a world champion in waiting for me, big talent. The only question mark I do have though, is that we haven't seen how he reacts to taking a few big shots from a banger himself? He's basically been so devastating in his fights, we haven't seen him ship anything. Rebrasse isn't a noted big puncher Fielding for all there fight lasted did clip him with a good shot (think it was a left hook), but other than that we don't really know.

palooka wrote:I'd like to see if Callum Smith can unlock a disciplined defence, he is destructive against wild punching opposition or someone has already hurt. It'd do him no harm having to place his shots and avoid a strong jab. I think he'd do well and it'd bstand him in good stead for becoming a dominant champion. It is a bit sad that a boxer races to become a champion and then clearly avoids better fighters, it'd be better they became champion and were confident enough to face anyone in the division.

I reckon Smith going after Sturm would be a classic example of racing to become a world champ. He's won British and European and is no1 contender for Jack. I think he should stay on the path he is on and the big fights against the better fighters in the division will come. I don't have anything against Sturm I just think he should retire. He's not good to watch at all and he isn't going to get any better.

Smith would beat Sturm all ends up in my opinion.

Sturm isn't the fighter of yesteryear and Smith would look absolutely huge in there with him.

Rocky Fielding caught him a couple of times flush. Callum seemed to take them easily. Dunno how much sting was left in Rockys punches by then.

Smith has looked very good in his last few fights, and watching them it makes you wonder how he plodded along for 10 without taking out chinny Vladine Biosse. He can obviously punch, has a good range of shots, and he puts them together well in bunches.

As far as weaknesses, he seems a bit easy to hit to me (not much head movement) and compared to the top guys in the division I think he's somewhat slow. He also tends to just walk in and doesn't have a notably good jab in my opinion, which could be an issue against more skilled opponents who are more able to catch him as he comes forward. Perhaps against more dangerous opposition (Fielding/Rebrasse/Mouhmoudi are solid but clearly limited compared most of the champs and serious contenders IMO) he'll account for these factors though and make adjustments.

He's looked the part in dominating B-/C+ level opponents, and I'd like to see him step up soon.

crusader wrote:Smith has looked very good in his last few fights, and watching them it makes you wonder how he plodded along for 10 without taking out chinny Vladine Biosse. He can obviously punch, has a good range of shots, and he puts them together well in bunches.

As far as weaknesses, he seems a bit easy to hit to me (not much head movement) and compared to the top guys in the division I think he's somewhat slow. He also tends to just walk in and doesn't have a notably good jab in my opinion, which could be an issue against more skilled opponents who are more able to catch him as he comes forward.

He's looked the part in dominating B-/C+ level opponents, and I'd like to see him step up soon.

Do you think that the Jack vs Bute winner would be too much of a step up for his next fight?

Horse wrote:

crusader wrote:Smith has looked very good in his last few fights, and watching them it makes you wonder how he plodded along for 10 without taking out chinny Vladine Biosse. He can obviously punch, has a good range of shots, and he puts them together well in bunches.

As far as weaknesses, he seems a bit easy to hit to me (not much head movement) and compared to the top guys in the division I think he's somewhat slow. He also tends to just walk in and doesn't have a notably good jab in my opinion, which could be an issue against more skilled opponents who are more able to catch him as he comes forward.

He's looked the part in dominating B-/C+ level opponents, and I'd like to see him step up soon.

Do you think that the Jack vs Bute winner would be too much of a step up for his next fight?

With the way Smith has looked it wouldn't shock me if he were able to beat them, but I think he could benefit from first bridging the gap between the Fielding/Rebrasse/Mouhmoudi/Sjekloca okay EBU guy level and the Jack/Bute winner top 3 guy in the division level. Perhaps someone like Sturm (past it but IMO still better than anyone Callum has beaten), Chudinov, Groves, Murray, or Anthony Dirrell.

crusader wrote:With the way Smith has looked it wouldn't shock me if he were able to beat them, but I think he could benefit from first bridging the gap between the Fielding/Rebrasse/Mouhmoudi/Sjekloca okay EBU guy level and the Jack/Bute winner top 3 guy in the division level. Perhaps someone like Sturm (past it but IMO still better than anyone Callum has beaten), Chudinov, Groves, Murray, or Anthony Dirrell.

I'm not sure Groves is really a step down from Jack as their fight was very close and I wouldn't be surprised if he won a rematch.

I think Hearn would want to save that for a world title match as well.

Who do you fancy for a projected bout between Murray and Groves, Horse?

Horse wrote:

crusader wrote:With the way Smith has looked it wouldn't shock me if he were able to beat them, but I think he could benefit from first bridging the gap between the Fielding/Rebrasse/Mouhmoudi/Sjekloca okay EBU guy level and the Jack/Bute winner top 3 guy in the division level. Perhaps someone like Sturm (past it but IMO still better than anyone Callum has beaten), Chudinov, Groves, Murray, or Anthony Dirrell.

I'm not sure Groves is really a step down from Jack as their fight was very close and I wouldn't be surprised if he won a rematch.

I think Hearn would want to save that for a world title match as well.

I think Jack is better and IMO he clearly won their fight, though I agree about Hearn wanting to save a Groves match.

crusader wrote:
As far as weaknesses, he seems a bit easy to hit to me (not much head movement) and compared to the top guys in the division I think he's somewhat slow. He also tends to just walk in and doesn't have a notably good jab in my opinion, which could be an issue against more skilled opponents.

Indeed. Theres something about him I just don't like. Slow plodding feet, bullies smaller men.

JohnH wrote:A mini war, 2 hometown decisions and Smith looking complete class. Hearn/Sky must have been over the moon this morning.

Yup, they probabaly sat there having a circle jerk over the evening.... Wonder who had to eat the biscuit at the end?

reggaereggae wrote:

JohnH wrote:A mini war, 2 hometown decisions and Smith looking complete class. Hearn/Sky must have been over the moon this morning.

Yup, they probabaly sat there having a circle jerk over the evening.... Wonder who had to eat the biscuit at the end?

I reckon Eddy eats it win or lose.

palooka wrote:

reggaereggae wrote:

JohnH wrote:A mini war, 2 hometown decisions and Smith looking complete class. Hearn/Sky must have been over the moon this morning.

Yup, they probabaly sat there having a circle jerk over the evening.... Wonder who had to eat the biscuit at the end?

I reckon Eddy eats it win or lose.

I imagine he'll fix the result so he definitely eats it!

palooka wrote:Who do you fancy for a projected bout between Murray and Groves, Horse?

50/50.

Horse wrote:

palooka wrote:Who do you fancy for a projected bout between Murray and Groves, Horse?

50/50.

Boxing or the biscuit game?!?