Industry Picks: Artur Beterbiev vs. Callum Smith

THE dimension of Callum Smith’s activity on Saturday night time (January 13) is obvious.

Artur Beterbiev is unbeaten in 19 fights, has both stopped or knocked out all his opponents, and is rightly often called probably the most devastating fighters in boxing. But together with his thirty ninth birthday quick approaching, is that this the precise time for somebody like Smith to capitalise?

The first huge struggle of 2024 pits two huge punching light-heavyweights towards each other and Beterbiev, the champion, is the odds-on favourite to get the job carried out. But what does the commerce suppose? Boxing News contacted a lot of figures inside the trade to get their predictions on the struggle.

1. Anthony Yarde (Light-heavyweight contender) – I believe Beterbiev’s ultimately going to determine Smith out and his calculated stress will nook him and land the photographs. Smith’s a harmful fighter, nice left hook. If Smith can set his ft and land the left hook it could possibly be a really attention-grabbing struggle.
2. Charlie Edwards (Former WBC belt-holder) – I consider Callum Smith would be the man to knock Beterbiev out. I believe he catches him within the mid-rounds.
3. Anthony Farnell (Trainer) – I believe Smith wins inside the space. The straight proper will do it, just like when Smith dropped Hassan N’Dam. He simply can’t maintain his ft for too lengthy as a result of that’s what Beterbiev desires.
4. Conor Quinn (Flyweight prospect) – I believe Callum Smith wins by TKO/KO within the later rounds. Beterbiev is coming to the tail finish of his profession and Smith may be very sharp particularly together with his catch counters.
5. Nathaniel Collins (British featherweight champion) – I predict a Beterbiev stoppage win. I wouldn’t write Callum off as he has energy, attain and good inside work, too. I simply suppose Beterbiev can be too sturdy, and his stress can be an excessive amount of for Smith and he’ll ultimately crumble.
6. Carl Greaves (Promoter/coach) – Beterbiev is a formidable champ, however he’s beginning to look weak, and I believe he’s prepared for the taking. Callum is a distinct fighter at light-heavyweight. Artur remains to be very harmful with KO energy in each fingers and Callum has to field intelligent and make no errors, however I believe he’s going to trigger an upset and cease Beterbiev late.
7. Bradley Rea (Super-middleweight contender) – I’m backing a Smith Beterbiev’s age has to meet up with some level, he can’t go on without end. He’s proven that he will be damage, and Smith appears to be a monster since transferring as much as light-heavyweight.
8. Gary Lockett (Trainer) – Boxing is about timing, and I believe possibly we’re beginning to see some cracks seem with Beterbiev. Callum has been on the verge of one thing huge for years now. He’s world-class and the transfer up in weight has benefitted him. Beterbiev is a large puncher and a fearsome fighter, however I believe the time is true for Callum to fulfil his potential and rip the titles away. Callum Smith by stoppage.
9. Bec Connolly (Featherweight) – I’m going with Smith. Beterbiev could be a fearsome puncher, however I believe Smith has all of the attributes wanted to do that.
10. Andy Lee (Trainer) – It’s an incredible struggle and both man can win it.
11. Emma Dolan (Super-flyweight contender) – I can’t think about Beterbiev getting damage. He’s a really sturdy stable man however Callum Smith is the youthful man and confirmed. He’s bought the facility at light-heavyweight. I don’t see it going to factors. I’d say Smith by stoppage between rounds eight and 12.
12. Hannah Rankin (Former WBA super-welterweight belt-holder) – Although Beterbiev has needed to overcome a couple of accidents these days and a few might imagine he’s on the slide, I do really feel that ought to he come via the early rounds the place Callum can be most harmful then will probably be Beterbiev by stoppage within the second half of the struggle.
13. Jon Pegg (Trainer/supervisor) – Smith with a counter left-hook that causes a stoppage in spherical eight after an early scare.
14. Jay Harris (British flyweight champion) – I believe Callum Smith will KO him inside eight rounds.
15. Mark Jeffers (Super-middleweight contender) – I’m going to go together with Callum Smith on factors. I assumed Beterbiev’s timing towards Yarde appeared properly off and I believe Smith could be that bit too recent.
16. Lerrone Richards (Light-heavyweight contender) – This is a tough one for me to name, so I’m going to sit down on the fence.
17. Steve Goodwin (Promoter/supervisor) – Despite Beterbiev being a fading drive, I simply consider he can have an excessive amount of for Callum who doesn’t have the identical momentum he as soon as had. I am going for Beterbiev by stoppage.
18. Kevin Maree (Manager) – Callum Smith has a hell of an opportunity, however I believe inactivity might catch him out on this one. Think Callum will begin properly, presumably even drop Beterbiev however I am going for Beterbiev to climate the storm and cease Callum late.
19. Sam Noakes (Lightweight contender) – I believe Callum Smith would possibly do the job. Since he’s moved up, he’s appeared unreal and dominant.
20. Leigh Wood (Former WBA featherweight belt-holder) – Callum Smith by knockout. I believe Callum will catch him on the counter. He’s very composed within the excessive guard and I believe Callum can have success countering off it.
21. Steve Wood (Manager/Promoter) – Callum has an opportunity, but it surely must be early. If he can land early, then a KO win is a chance. But extra doubtless Beterbiev will get in a groove, and I see him profitable with a late KO.
22. Harry Scarff (British welterweight champion) – I’d prefer to see Smith begin quick as I believe Beterbiev begins a bit sluggish. But I consider Beterbiev is simply going to be that bit too sturdy down the stretch just like Canelo vs Smith. Close struggle however Beterbiev on factors.
23. Maxi Hughes (Lightweight contender) – I’m selecting Callum Smith. The motive why is the benefit in Callum being youthful, brisker on the weight and Beterbiev being 38 years of age. He’s been in onerous fights. I believe father time will catch up. It’s Callum’s huge alternative and that may deliver one of the best out in him.
24. Richard Farnan (Cutman/coach) – I believe Beterbiev will win by late stoppage. Beterbiev is a beast at this weight, isn’t war-torn in any means no matter his age. He’s a fighter that’s not had many wars and has ended fights early. Callum’s solely probability is to field and transfer and never attempt to stand toe-to-toe with him.
25. Linus Udofia (Middleweight contender) – A more in-depth struggle than individuals suppose however Artur Beterbiev to win by way of late stoppage or factors majority determination. Smith is lengthy and rangy which might trigger him issues, however Smith gained’t stand toe-to-toe which can be a bonus for him. Beterbiev wins although.
26. Nina Hughes (WBA bantamweight belt holder) – Beterbiev is robust and relentless. Callum Smith can struggle inside and at vary. I believe Callum can cease him late.
27. Matthew Hatton (Trainer) – It’s an incredible struggle. A toss of a coin. Callum appears significantly better at light-heavyweight. If it was my final pound, I’d need to put it on Artur Beterbiev. I simply can’t again towards a man with that report, that many knockouts. Beterbiev by late stoppage.
28. Josh Taylor (Former super-lightweight world champion) I believe Callum will do it. The two of them are coming off fairly lengthy layoffs. That might play an element. Ultimately Callum’s youthful and brisker, he’s had much less injury on the clock, and I believe he might break him down and cease him with a signature left hook to the pinnacle. We’ve seen Beterbiev damage a couple of instances. I’m going to go together with Callum Smith, and I wouldn’t be stunned if he stopped him.
29. Liam Dillon (British super-featherweight champion) – I believe Callum Smith wins on factors. Artur Beterbiev may be very sturdy and a large puncher, and towards Yarde he proved he has an excellent chin, so I don’t suppose Smith will get the stoppage. I consider the struggle can be aggressive, however I believe with Smith’s expertise and talent he’ll win the struggle convincingly.
30. Joe Hughes (Former European super-lightweight champion) – I’m going with Smith on factors. I believe he’ll need to undergo some tough moments however will win an in depth determination.
31. Michael McKinson (Welterweight contender) – I believe Callum Smith stops Beterbiev mid to late rounds. He’s appeared so huge and robust at 175lbs. I additionally suppose it’s excellent timing for him. Neither have been very energetic, however Beterbiev is 38, and was down on the playing cards towards Yarde earlier than he bought the stoppage.
32. Gary Logan (Trainer) – Beterbiev actually is a powerful box-puncher. His stress both places you in a gap the place you don’t punch again, or his energy overwhelms should you do punch with him. Callum is one of the best (apart from Gvozdyk) that Beterbiev can have confronted up to now. So a lot grace, poise, capability, and energy. But Callum’s inactivity has been an extended interval than Beterbiev’s enforced lay off. That’s enormous for me. Going for Beterbiev by late spherical stoppage.
33. Owen Cooper (Welterweight prospect) – I consider Callum Smith I assumed Yarde put up an incredible struggle towards Beterbiev and confirmed a few weaknesses. Smith’s inactivity might play a component, however Beterbiev isn’t getting any youthful and I believe the youth, dimension and boxing capability of Smith will get him the win.
34. Jack Bateson (Featherweight contender) – I believe Callum Smith will win by KO. Beterbiev is called a wrecking machine and when he will get shut has the facility to KO anybody. However, Callum has proven he has the facility to do the identical. Callum has the boxing capability together with the attain to maintain Beterbiev at bay and out-box him and will catch him late.
35. Jamie Conlan (Promoter) – I actually suppose Callum Smith wins by KO. It could possibly be an actual shoot-out that doesn’t go previous six rounds. Beterbiev has scary energy, however time waits for no man, and this could possibly be excellent timing. Callum is tall and may expose the openings of Beterbiev when he’s coming ahead. It could possibly be a case of whoever lands first.
36. Lyndon Arthur (Light-heavyweight contender) – I believe it relies upon how a lot Beterbiev’s bought left in him. I don’t suppose it’s going to be a simple struggle, however I do suppose if Beterbiev’s bought something left in him he’ll take the victory.
37. Mark Dunlop (Promoter) – I believe Beterbiev will win by 10^th spherical stoppage. Callum has solely had six aggressive rounds in over two years which could possibly be the telling issue as soon as the struggle goes deep. But I might not rule out an upset with Smith being the larger and youthful man.
38. Sol Dacres (Heavyweight prospect) – Beterbiev late stoppage.
39. Junaid Bostan (Super-welterweight prospect) – When Beterbiev fought Yarde I stated the 2 males who beat him at 175 are Bivol and Smith. Smith stoppage.
40. Padraig McCrory (Light-heavyweight contender) – I believe Smith can do it by knockout. He was an enormous sturdy super-middleweight and he’s stuffed into an even bigger stronger light-heavyweight and I believe he can do the job.
41. Reece Mould (Lightweight contender) – I’m going to go for Callum Smith on factors. I believe his boxing capability is best and he can do all of it so I’m going to edge with him.
42. Aston Brown (Middleweight prospect) – Callum Smith to stroll him onto a catch counter. I don’t suppose there’s going to be a sense out course of on this struggle. Both can be flat out from the phrase go. Beterbiev’s harmful always however Callum’s a bit cuter and can nail him.
43. Jack Massey (Cruiserweight contender) – I’m going for a Callum Smith examine left hook KO. He has the punching energy that can cease Beterbiev from simply strolling ahead.
44. Ekow Essuman (Welterweight contender) – Smith’s been working at a category stage, Beterbiev’s has been working at an distinctive stage. However, father time will all the time present himself ultimately. I consider if Callum is to take advantage of his stake on this match he’s bought to harm Beterbiev first.

Result: Beterbiev 14 votes, Smith 27 votes, undecided three votes

And for much more trade predictions collected by BN click on the video under.