Artur Beterbiev vs Callum Smith predictions: Brit can cause Quebec upset
- Artur Beterbiev is the undefeated WBC, WBO and IBF light-heavyweight champion
- Callum Smith has 21 stoppage victories in his career
- They clash in Quebec City on Saturday night
- Recommended bet: Callum Smith to beat Artur Beterbiev
Artur Beterbiev (19-0, 19 KOs) and Callum Smith (29-1, 21 KOs) clash in what promises to be a thrilling contest at the Centre Videotron, Quebec City on Saturday night.
Beterbiev is the undefeated WBC, WBO and IBF light-heavyweight champion and the Canadian national will have the benefit of home support.
The Russian-born boxer can pick up his 20th career knockout - and continue his 100 per-cent KO rate - with a stoppage defeat of Smith, but his British opponent has only one defeat on his card and that came against the elite-level Canelo Alvarez.
Time catching up on champion
Beterbiev will have the support of a home Canadian crown in Quebec City and the 38-year-old brings an unbeaten 19-fight record to the ring.
All of the Russian-born boxer’s victories have come by stoppage and Smith faces the unenviable task of avoiding the light-heavyweight’s power-packed punches.
Beterbiev is 2/9 with LiveScore Bet to win the WBC, WBO and IBF light-heavyweight contest and 4/9 to win by stoppage, but it may not be as straightforward as those prices suggest.
The Khasavyurt crusher stopped Anthony Yarde in the eighth round last time out, but that was a contest that the British fighter had plenty of success in, and at times, Beterbiev looked slow, one-paced and lacking in movement.
The Russian-born boxer looked like a 38-year-old fighter in much of that contest and age does appear to be creeping up on the three-belt world champion.
There are only 19 bouts on Beterbiev’s professional card, but he did turn pro 11 years ago, and the fact that the 38-year-old has fought only twice since he beat Marcus Browne at the end of 2021, is a minor concern.
Of course, Beterbiev’s power can always turn a fight, as it did against Yarde, but there have been clear signs of vulnerability.
Smith perhaps being underestimated
Inactivity is also a concern for Smith too, who has fought only twice since he took Alvarez 12 rounds back in December 2020.
The Merseyside man was criticised for a lack of ambition when challenging the Mexican, but that is the only defeat on Mundo’s card and he has good wins over British trio John Ryder, Rocky Fielding and George Groves on his record.
Smith himself carries plenty of dig in his punches (21 stoppage victories) and the Liverpool fighter is five years Beterbiev’s junior.
Perhaps the speed and movement of Smith is being underestimated and at 16/5 there is enough in the price to take a chance on a British upset.
