Round-By-Round - Callum Smith vs. Eric Skoglund - September 16th 2017

[wesshaw1985]

who wins?

[horndawg80]

Callum Smith. I like Callum as he seems quite respectable but he is definitely beatable!

To be honest, I've not watched Erik Skoglund

[crusader]

Skoglund strikes me as being an EBU guy around the level of Gutenechkt and Rebrasse. Decent boxer, but not particularly fast, strong, or evasive, and I remember watching him outpoint Smith KTFO victim Luke Blackledge by just a few points (perhaps that was a factor in the pick?).

I figure that Smith should be able to grind him down for a stoppage. In my opinion Smith is a world class fighter and simply hasn't had the comp to really break out.

[KiwiRider]

It's the perfect pick for Callum, he needs an Easy introduction, been out of the ring for a while and a warm up is just great.
I like him, maybe not to win, but definitely top 3 in this competition.
A lot of folk don't like him because of his last name and I can understand that. Hopefully by the end of this tournament opinions may change.

[Oiky]

Callum smith will win

[Andrew]

Skoglund strikes me as being an EBU guy around the level of Gutenechkt and Rebrasse. Decent boxer, but not particularly fast, strong, or evasive, and I remember watching him outpoint Smith KTFO victim Luke Blackledge by just a few points (perhaps that was a factor in the pick?).

I figure that Smith should be able to grind him down for a stoppage. In my opinion Smith is a world class fighter and simply hasn't had the comp to really break out.

Was a few years ago the Blackledge fight so Skoglund is probably better. Looking at his record Derek Edwards and Liebenberg are gate keeper level guys. I'll watch a bit of him to get a feel for his chances but the biggest factor is his ability to do the weight.

I don't rate Callum as highly as other people mainly because the last year we have seen a lack of confidence in his team to match him with any test what so ever before a world title fight. Then on top of that they pull out of the Dirrell fight because they won't fight him in his hometown.

[BigDoofus]

In my opinion Smith is a world class fighter and simply hasn't had the comp to really break out.

He could box for the world title next fight but has chosen to give it a swerve.

[Horse]

Would Skoglund be considered Smith's best opponent to date or not?

[handsofstone]

In my opinion Smith is a world class fighter and simply hasn't had the comp to really break out.

He could box for the world title next fight but has chosen to give it a swerve.

This tournament will be far more lucrative and he could be world champ afterwards, defo the right choice IMO

[Ruthless-RKO]

Would Skoglund be considered Smith's best opponent to date or not?

I would say so. Who would you say it is at the moment? Fielding?

[Horse]

I would say so. Who would you say it is at the moment? Fielding?

I'd say Fielding.

[davie]

In my opinion Smith is a world class fighter and simply hasn't had the comp to really break out.

He could box for the world title next fight but has chosen to give it a swerve.

I respect him for taking the tournament over the vacant title, I don't think Dirrell was any great shakes and taking the vacant title then soft defence route vs taking this tournament that provides 3 stiff tests?

[Horse]

I respect him for taking the tournament over the vacant title, I don't think Dirrell was any great shakes and taking the vacant title then soft defence route vs taking this tournament that provides 3 stiff tests?

Dirrell looks a lot more dangerous than Skoglund.

Why would he have to make soft defences if he wasn't in the tournament?

[Tanzio]

I respect him for taking the tournament over the vacant title, I don't think Dirrell was any great shakes and taking the vacant title then soft defence route vs taking this tournament that provides 3 stiff tests?

Dirrell looks a lot more dangerous than Skoglund.

Why would he have to make soft defences if he wasn't in the tournament?

Too bad Smith v Dirrell wasn't dropped into the tournament like the CW situation.

[davie]

I respect him for taking the tournament over the vacant title, I don't think Dirrell was any great shakes and taking the vacant title then soft defence route vs taking this tournament that provides 3 stiff tests?

Dirrell looks a lot more dangerous than Skoglund.

Why would he have to make soft defences if he wasn't in the tournament?

He wouldn't have to

But Hearn would have got him a few anyway

[BigDoofus]

In my opinion Smith is a world class fighter and simply hasn't had the comp to really break out.

He could box for the world title next fight but has chosen to give it a swerve.

This tournament will be far more lucrative and he could be world champ afterwards, defo the right choice IMO

He could be world champ in a couple of months but he's ducked Dirrell.

The tournament could be lucrative but what is to stop fighters pulling out "injured"?

[BigDoofus]

In my opinion Smith is a world class fighter and simply hasn't had the comp to really break out.

He could box for the world title next fight but has chosen to give it a swerve.

I respect him for taking the tournament over the vacant title, I don't think Dirrell was any great shakes and taking the vacant title then soft defence route vs taking this tournament that provides 3 stiff tests?

You don't think Dirrell is any great shakes yet Smith has ducked him.
You're respecting Smith for taking 3 stiff tests when he's not had one yet.

[BigDoofus]

I don't rate Callum as highly as other people mainly because the last year we have seen a lack of confidence in his team to match him with any test what so ever before a world title fight.

Tesco Joe's boxers have a tendency to get beat when they step up, they rely on Hearn to pad their records out.

[Andrew]

Gonna catch a bit of skoglund now.

Smith has opened up at 1/25 with bookies

Skoglund is 15/2

[Ossyrules]

Don't know much about the opponent so it's an ignorant pick on my part - smith

[Horse]

Why do BoxRec have Skoglund ranked at super middleweight when he has never fought there as a pro?

[Andrew]

Watched bits of skoglund just now.

Nothing really stands out to be honest.

I do think smith is very beatable just skoglund doesn't have the attributes to do that.

[crusader]

I dont consider this a duck. The tournament is highly lucrative, includes a world title, features arguably 4 top 10 fighters, and should keep the successful fighters busy.

IMO, there are plenty of reasons for Smith to enter which have nothing to due with fearing a loss to Dirrell.

[Ossyrules]

Agreed this isn't a duck. Shame the Dirrell fight couldn't have worked like eubank vs abraham situation

[Tanzio]

I dont consider this a duck. The tournament is highly lucrative, includes a world title, features arguably 4 top 10 fighters, and should keep the successful fighters busy.

IMO, there are plenty of reasons for Smith to enter which have nothing to due with fearing a loss to Dirrell.

+1

I still would have preferred that fight have been included in the tourney like Gassiev v Wlod has been at CW. But, I am still excited about the SMW tourney.