Industry Picks: Artur Beterbiev vs. Callum Smith

THE size of Callum Smith’s task on Saturday night (January 13) is evident.

Artur Beterbiev is unbeaten in 19 fights, has either stopped or knocked out all his opponents, and is rightly known as one of the most devastating fighters in boxing. But with his 39th birthday fast approaching, is this the right time for someone like Smith to capitalise?

The first big fight of 2024 pits two big punching light-heavyweights against one another and Beterbiev, the champion, is the odds-on favourite to get the job done. But what does the trade think? Boxing News contacted a number of figures within the industry to get their predictions on the fight.

1. Anthony Yarde (Light-heavyweight contender) – I think Beterbiev’s eventually going to figure Smith out and his calculated pressure will corner him and land the shots. Smith’s a dangerous fighter, great left hook. If Smith can set his feet and land the left hook it could be a very interesting fight.
2. Charlie Edwards (Former WBC belt-holder) – I believe Callum Smith will be the man to knock Beterbiev out. I think he catches him in the mid-rounds.
3. Anthony Farnell (Trainer) – I think Smith wins inside the distance. The straight right will do it, similar to when Smith dropped Hassan N’Dam. He just can’t hold his feet for too long because that’s what Beterbiev wants.
4. Conor Quinn (Flyweight prospect) – I think Callum Smith wins by TKO/KO in the later rounds. Beterbiev is coming to the tail end of his career and Smith is very sharp especially 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 power, reach and good inside work, too. I just think Beterbiev will be too strong, and his pressure will be too much for Smith and he will eventually crumble.
6. Carl Greaves (Promoter/trainer) – Beterbiev is a formidable champ, but he is starting to look vulnerable, and I think he’s ready for the taking. Callum is a different fighter at light-heavyweight. Artur is still very dangerous with KO power in both hands and Callum has to box clever and make no mistakes, but I think he’s going to cause an upset and stop Beterbiev late.
7. Bradley Rea (Super-middleweight contender) – I’m backing a Smith Beterbiev’s age has to catch up with some point, he can’t go on forever. He’s shown that he can be hurt, and Smith seems to be a monster since moving up to light-heavyweight.
8. Gary Lockett (Trainer) – Boxing is about timing, and I think maybe we’re starting to see some cracks appear with Beterbiev. Callum has been on the verge of something big for years now. He’s world-class and the move up in weight has benefitted him. Beterbiev is a huge puncher and a fearsome fighter, but I think the time is right 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 might be a fearsome puncher, but I think Smith has all the attributes needed to do this.
10. Andy Lee (Trainer) – It’s a great fight and either man can win it.
11. Emma Dolan (Super-flyweight contender) – I can’t imagine Beterbiev getting hurt. He’s a very strong solid man but Callum Smith is the younger man and proven. He’s got the power at light-heavyweight. I don’t see it going to points. I’d say Smith by stoppage between rounds eight and 12.
12. Hannah Rankin (Former WBA super-welterweight belt-holder) – Although Beterbiev has had to overcome a few injuries lately and some may think he’s on the slide, I do feel that should he come through the early rounds where Callum will be most dangerous. Beterbiev by stoppage in the second half of the fight.
13. Jon Pegg (Trainer/manager) – Smith with a counter left-hook that causes a stoppage in round eight after an early scare.
14. Jay Harris (British flyweight champion) – I think Callum Smith will KO him within eight rounds.
15. Mark Jeffers (Super-middleweight contender) – I’m going to go with Callum Smith on points. I thought Beterbiev’s timing against Yarde looked well off and I think Smith might be that bit too fresh.
16. Lerrone Richards (Light-heavyweight contender) – This is a hard one for me to call, so I’m going to sit on the fence.
17. Steve Goodwin (Promoter/manager) – Despite Beterbiev being a fading force, I just believe he will have too much for Callum who does not have the same momentum he once had. I go for Beterbiev by stoppage.
18. Kevin Maree (Manager) – Callum Smith has a hell of a chance, but I think inactivity could catch him out in this one. Think Callum will start well, possibly even drop Beterbiev but I go for Beterbiev to weather the storm and stop Callum late.
19. Sam Noakes (Lightweight contender) – I think Callum Smith might do the job. Since he’s moved up, he’s looked unreal and dominant.
20. Leigh Wood (Former WBA featherweight belt-holder) – Callum Smith by knockout. I think Callum will catch him on the counter. He’s very composed in the high guard and I think Callum will have success countering off it.
21. Steve Wood (Manager/Promoter) – Callum has a chance, but it has to be early. If he can land early, then a KO win is a possibility. But more likely Beterbiev gets in a groove, and I see him winning with a late KO.
22. Harry Scarff (British welterweight champion) – I’d like to see Smith start fast as I think Beterbiev starts a bit slow. But I believe Beterbiev is just going to be that bit too strong down the stretch similar to Canelo vs Smith. Close fight but Beterbiev on points.
23. Maxi Hughes (Lightweight contender) – I’m picking Callum Smith. The reason why is the advantage in Callum being younger, fresher at the weight and Beterbiev being 38 years of age. He’s been in hard fights. I think father time will catch up. It’s Callum’s big opportunity and that can bring the best out in him.
24. Richard Farnan (Cutman/trainer) – I think Beterbiev will win by late stoppage. Beterbiev is a beast at this weight, isn’t war-torn in any way regardless of his age. He’s a fighter that’s not had many wars and has ended fights early. Callum’s only chance is to box and move and not try and stand toe-to-toe with him.
25. Linus Udofia (Middleweight contender) – A closer fight than people think but Artur Beterbiev to win via late stoppage or points majority decision. Smith is long and rangy which could cause him problems, but Smith won’t stand toe-to-toe which will be an advantage for him. Beterbiev wins though.
26. Nina Hughes (WBA bantamweight belt holder) – Beterbiev is strong and relentless. Callum Smith can fight inside and at range. I think Callum can stop him late.
27. Matthew Hatton (Trainer) – It’s a great fight. A toss of a coin. Callum looks much better at light-heavyweight. If it was my last pound, I’d have to put it on Artur Beterbiev. I just can’t back against a guy with that record, that many knockouts. Beterbiev by late stoppage.
28. Josh Taylor (Former super-lightweight world champion) I think Callum will do it. The two of them are coming off quite long layoffs. That may play a factor. Ultimately Callum’s younger and fresher, he’s had less damage on the clock, and I think he could break him down and stop him with a signature left hook to the head. We’ve seen Beterbiev hurt a few times. I’m going to go with Callum Smith, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he stopped him.
29. Liam Dillon (British super-featherweight champion) – I think Callum Smith wins on points. Artur Beterbiev is very strong and a massive puncher, and against Yarde he proved he has a very good chin, so I don’t think Smith will get the stoppage. I believe the fight will be competitive, but I think with Smith’s experience and skill he’ll win the fight convincingly.
30. Joe Hughes (Former European super-lightweight champion) – I’m going with Smith on points. I think he’ll have to go through some rough moments but will win a close decision.
31. Michael McKinson (Welterweight contender) – I think Callum Smith stops Beterbiev mid to late rounds. He’s looked so big and strong at 175lbs. I also think it is perfect timing for him. Neither have been very active, but Beterbiev is 38, and was down on the cards against Yarde before he got the stoppage.
32. Gary Logan (Trainer) – Beterbiev truly is an impressive box-puncher. His pressure either puts you in a hole where you don’t punch back, or his power overwhelms if you do punch with him. Callum is the best (other than Gvozdyk) that Beterbiev will have faced to this point. So much grace, poise, ability, and power. But Callum’s inactivity has been a longer period than Beterbiev’s enforced lay off. That’s huge for me. Going for Beterbiev by late round stoppage.
33. Owen Cooper (Welterweight prospect) – I believe Callum Smith I thought Yarde put up a great fight against Beterbiev and showed a couple of weaknesses. Smith’s inactivity could play a part, but Beterbiev isn’t getting any younger and I think the youth, size and boxing ability of Smith gets him the win.
34. Jack Bateson (Featherweight contender) – I think Callum Smith will win by KO. Beterbiev is known as a wrecking machine and when he gets close has the power to KO anyone. However, Callum has shown he has the power to do the same. Callum has the boxing ability along with the reach to keep Beterbiev at bay and out-box him and could catch him late.
35. Jamie Conlan (Promoter) – I really think Callum Smith wins by KO. It could be a real shoot-out that doesn’t go past six rounds. Beterbiev has scary power, but time waits for no man, and this could be perfect timing. Callum is tall and can expose the openings of Beterbiev when he’s coming forward. It could be a case of whoever lands first.
36. Lyndon Arthur (Light-heavyweight contender) – I think it depends how much Beterbiev’s got left in him. I don’t think it’s going to be an easy fight, but I do think if Beterbiev’s got anything left in him he’ll take the victory.
37. Mark Dunlop (Promoter) – I think Beterbiev will win by 10^th round stoppage. Callum has only had six competitive rounds in over two years which could be the telling factor once the fight goes deep. But I would not rule out an upset with Smith being the bigger and younger man.
38. Sol Dacres (Heavyweight prospect) – Beterbiev late stoppage.
39. Junaid Bostan (Super-welterweight prospect) – When Beterbiev fought Yarde I said the two men who beat him at 175 are Bivol and Smith. Smith stoppage.
40. Padraig McCrory (Light-heavyweight contender) – I think Smith can do it by knockout. He was a big strong super-middleweight and he’s filled into a bigger stronger light-heavyweight and I think he can do the job.

Result: Beterbiev 14 votes, Smith 24 votes, undecided two votes

And for even more industry predictions collected by BN click the video below.