As undefeated champion, Callum Smith was convinced he simply couldn’t be touched. It was hard to blame him for his way of thinking. At 168 pounds, Smith racked up big wins over George Groves and John Ryder. Canelo Alvarez, however, looked at the imposing belt holder and wanted championship status from him.
After 12 uneven rounds, the aura of confidence surrounding Smith disappeared. Álvarez dominated his man, beating him round after round. If he had wanted, Smith could have returned to the super middleweight ranks. Instead, he chose to go in another direction.
Since moving up to the light heavyweight division, Smith has felt like a new man, stopping two fringe contenders. With those weak opponents out of the way, Smith will now face arguably the best fighter at 175 pounds this weekend when he trades punches with Artur Beterbiev.
You know how boxing works. Comparisons have always been an interesting topic. So, with Smith sharing the ring with Alvarez and about to face another pound-for-pound fighter, he was asked to choose who he considers the better fighter.
“I think Canelo is probably better in terms of ability and technique,” Smith admitted to several reporters. “But Beterbiev is the bigger and stronger man.”
The loss to Alvarez will always follow Smith, but for the moment, Beterbiev is the only fighter on his mind.
Despite being older, the 38-year-old has not lost a step. While he may have made just one appearance in 2022, he made the most of it and stopped Anthony Yarde in the eighth round.
Smith knows how dangerous Beterbiev is. No matter who is in front of him, the unified champion will eventually take them down. Most expect much of the same. Those dubious voices, however, don’t bother Smith. He is simply ready to prove that Beterbiev is not the unbeatable force many believe him to be.
“I know what Beterbiev brings and we’ve had a good training camp. “I think I have the style to beat him.”
