Artur Beterbiev vs Callum Smith – Who wins and why?
Unified World light-heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev (19-0, 19KO) defends his WBC, IBF, WBO titles to British boxer Callum Smith (29-1, 21KO) in Quebec, Canada on January 13, 2024. Even though it's just two weeks into the New Year, it’ll be the fifth world title fight of 2024, which is a great start for boxing for the year ahead.
The Russian powerhouse is the only reigning world champion with a perfect 100% KO record, but Smith has KO'd both his foes since his move up from super-middleweight and has a big size advantage. So BBN asked their panel of experts who they predict will win and why:
Dmitry BivolWBA Super light-heavyweight champion
“I am giving more credit to Beterbiev because he has more experience and he is a tough fighter. Smith will want him to come close to him, he has long arms, but he usually closes the distance, he doesn’t use his arms and for Beterbiev that is good.”
Eddie HearnMatchroom Boxing promoter
“Callum Smith is going to knock Beterbiev spark out! You know, like a face-down type of knockout!”
“Listen, you’re not being very brave because Beterbiev is the favourite. Watch. See this now. Sometimes you see it, and he’s [Callum Smith] is going to be up against the ropes, and Beterbiev is going to come in like he does and square up his feet, and Callum is going to do what he does best, which is to catch-counter with the left hook with a one-punch knockout.
“He’s definitely slipping. He’s like 39 years old, but he’s also a beast. He’s unbelievable. Sooner or later [he’s going to get beat]. Did you see the Yarde fight?”
Steve WoodVIP Promotions
“I think Callum Smith has a chance if he can catch Beterbiev early and finish him.
“The more likely thing is Beterbiev gets in a groove and walks Callum down for a late stoppage.”
Abel SanchezBoxing trainer
“Beterbiev will record his 20th KO.”
Stephen Smith Callum's older brother
“[Light-heavyweight] it suits him really well. The size of him, everyone used to comment how big he looked at 168lbs and he used to do it well but it did get tight towards the end and he’s not got the body type which he takes much weight off or put weight on, he’s just one of those people genetically. The move to light heavyweight, we’ve seen he’s kept all of his strength and has had some devastating knockouts. He’s feeling good and strong. He had a great camp for the [postponed] Artur Beterbiev camp and it was a shame as a family, we had two brothers in camp for big fights. Liam’s camp was ridiculously bad and Callum’s was absolutely brilliant and it was just the wrong fight to go through. It’s just the way luck works sometimes.
“I’m confident of what Callum brings to the table, he’s got to pick his moment and he’s got to get a stamp of his authority and get Beterbiev’s respect. It’s a fight that suits Callum. We know Beterbiev will be confident of his own power, he’s got a 100% knockout ratio, he’s got that for a reason and he can definitely bang and be confident in his own punches.
“However, we’ve got a good anticipation for this fight as it suits Callum quite well. If he anticipates the shots properly and let’s his hands go, he can hurt anyone on the planet. If he hurts Beterbiev, he’s got to get him out of there.”
Wayne Alexander Former British, European & World champion
“Callum Smith is a genuine contender for WBC Light-heavyweight title and could be one of Berterbiev’s toughest fights, especially as he has been inactive for twelve months, he’s big and strong at the weight with speed and KO power in each hand, confident he can win, and a few years younger.
“But Artur Beterbiev doesn’t know how to lose and is P4P one of the hardest hitters in the world, he just gets better as the fight goes on and I think he will weather the storm in what could be a shootout for the first five or six rounds, with Berterbiev’s extra experience, power and strength getting him through some rocky moments to win by late stoppage or points, to set up a mega unification fight with Dmitry Bivol!”
Tim RicksonBBN Editor
“With his fearsome record and aggressive style of fighting, it's easy to predict yet another knockout win for Beterbiev. However, I'm envisaging a closely fought first half of the fight, with Beterbiev coming on strong late.
“Anthony Yarde showed the world that Beterbiev can be pushed back and hurt. There were a few occasions last January where Yarde landing a clean shot and forced Beterbiev to take a backwards step, however his head clears within 10 seconds and he turns it around quickly to get back on the offensive once more. If "Mundo" hurts him, then he has to pounce on that chance to finish him, but there's an incredibly small window available. Beterbiev is tough, durable and experienced.
“With Smith much taller, bigger and with a longer reach, I think he could take control early but Beterbiev is a fighter you can keep away for long, so he will begin to catch up as the fight wears on.
“Smith has a ramrod jab, if he can use that to keep the distance whilst staying on the move and pivoting to his left constantly, then he could rack up an early lead. Canelo gave him hell during the championship rounds of their 2020 fight but Smith bravely got through quite a battering to hear the final bell, so he is as tough as they come. This is up at 175lbs and Beterbiev's stats speak for themselves, so Smith may not be able to endure the same punishment at the hands of this man. But Smith can punch too, and Beterbiev is getting on a bit at the age of 38 now. After 325 fights, that's a lot of years and mileage on the clock. If Callum can anticipate Artur's attacks and can counter with one of those big left hooks, then he could even score a knockdown with one of them.
“I'm hoping Smith gets an early lead and maintains it to secure a points decision, but I actually think Beterbiev wins a good contest on points.”
Scott ChristBad Left Hook
“I like Smith’s chances, as far as +500 underdogs go. He’s tempting at those odds, because he can punch and Beterbiev doesn’t exactly avoid confrontation.
“But I think it comes down to all-around offensive skill sets and the real estate of the fight. If Smith cracks Beterbiev at length, he’s incredibly dangerous here. If it gets into close quarters, which Beterbiev is extremely good at forcing, his still often overlooked skills should be too much for Smith, who is good at what he does, but what he does has its limits, which we’ve seen repeatedly.
“People still think of Beterbiev only as a mauler, and while I think it’s fair to think of him mainly as a mauler, there is technique, skill, and intelligence to what he does. Smith can knock him out; Smith can knock anyone out if he lands the right shot. But I’m going with the smart money on Beterbiev here. He’ll wear Smith down and stop him in the back end of the fight.
“Beterbiev TKO-9.”
Bogdan MusatMatchmaker
“If Smith's jab will work I am seeing him resist for a while. He has a height and reach advantage who could save him some rounds.
“But as soon Beterbiev will go into "killing mode" it will take max two rounds to get the job done.”
Marshall Kaufman Boxing promoter
“Artur Beterbiev will win this fight and look to having a showdown with Bivol for the Big Fight in that division.”
Ben DayFormer Southern Area champion
“It would be nice to see Callum win but Beterbiev is an animal, I just can’t see it.”
Arijan GorickiIBO title contender
“My prediction is that Beterbiev will stop Smith in the later rounds of the fight.”
Burim Sylejmani Fides Sports promoter
“I think it will be a very good fight, but I see Artur Bertabiev ahead. But in boxing, there can always be surprises like in a raid.”
Oskari Metz European title contender
“Callum’s going to be in big trouble with Beterbiev. Canelo handled him quite comfortably and Beterbiev's a much bigger puncher. Callum's tough, so it'll be interesting to see if Beterbiev can keep his KO streak going.
“I'm predicting Beterbiev by KO.”
Sam CondyBBN writer
“Beterbiev will likely apply pressure from the opening bell. The heavy-handed Russian has knocked out every opponent he has faced, so Smith will have to work hard on the backfoot to stay out of danger. ‘Mundo’ loves to box at range, carrying out much of his best work at distance, but I’m doubtful as to whether he will be able to continuously neutralise the constant forward pressure that he will likely be under.
“I think Smith will box well throughout the opening half of the bout, entering the second half of the fight ahead on points. However, as fatigue starts to set in, Beterbiev will likely start to capitalise. Smith will put up a valiant effort but with no room to breathe, the Brit will start to break down around the sixth and seventh rounds. Eventually leading to a knockout win for the Champion as they move into the final quarter of the matchup.”
Ben WinwardBBN writer
“Smith is a heavy underdog in this one and whilst on one hand you can see why, lacking a significant win since his highly controversial victory over John Ryder back in 2019. Nevertheless, the bookies may be being a tad harsh, as with his range, footwork, beautiful catch and shoot counters and own power, Smith definitely has attributes which I believe will see him have success. Beterbiev, now 38 years old, is there to be hit and has also shown in the past he can be wobbled.
“Given Beterbiev’s defensive flaws, as a UK fan you can’t help but imagine the prospect of Smith landing one of his signature counter left hooks at the end of a Beterbiev barrage, to give him one of the best victories on away soil for a UK boxer in recent memory.
“This may be no more than a dream however, as Beterbiev is a special fighter. ‘Mundo’ has also shown that at world level, against both Ryder and Canelo, that under heavy pressure he does have a tendency to fold and struggle to keep the aggressor off his chest.
“I see a similar pattern unfortunately playing out here. I think Smith will land some classy shots and be well in the fight up until the mid-rounds, as Anthony Yarde was last time out. I think the pressure will then start to take its toll and Beterbiev will likely grind out a stoppage in the final quarter of the bout.”