As Callum Smith prepares for another world title shot, facing Artur Beterbiev this weekend, he tells Sky Sports he will prove the skeptics wrong and be the first to hand Beterbiev a professional defeat.
While Beterbiev maintains a 100% KO ratio throughout his career, Smith says he isn’t too worried about the man’s power as he hopes to be the one to dish out the punishment once the bell rings.
“He’s a big puncher, but nothing in my career so far shows my chin being a little suspect or anything like that,” Smith said. “Knock on wood, I have never been hit, hurt or fallen as a professional. I have always had a lot of confidence in defense. I think I’m pretty organized and can keep myself pretty tight. “I know the dangers.”
Still, Smith hopes to maintain an even tighter defense in this fight because he is aware that he won’t be able to afford to give up any foolish shots. Couple that with his expectation to get the biggest shots first, and Smith sees himself putting it all together when necessary.
“I just think I catch him before he catches me and I can get rid of him. I really think I have the style to beat him. It’s not an easy task and I know I’m the underdog going in.”
Smith goes on to say that he was also the underdog when he beat George Groves and enjoyed the satisfaction of proving the skeptics wrong back then. He hopes to do more of the same this weekend.
