Artur Beterbiev will have his three light heavyweight belts on the line tonight against the punching and unhinged Callum Smith in this Top Rank promoted show. The stakes are high for the fight, and the winner will fight for the undisputed 175-pound championship in Saudi Arabia.
In the main support bout, Christian Mbilli battles Rohan Murdock for tonight’s event, which begins at 10:00 pm ET/7:00 pm PT on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+. The preliminary card begins at 5:30 pm ET on ESPN+.
B24 will provide live updates and results below.
Boxing live tonight on ESPN and ESPN+ at 10:00 pm ET
Artur Beterbiev vs. Callum Smith, Christian Mbilli vs. Rohan Murdock
Preliminary fights on ESPN+ at 5:30 pm ET
Jason Moloney vs. Saúl SánchezImam Khataev vs. Michal Ludwiczak Leila Beaudoin vs. Elizabeth Chávez Wilkens Mathieu vs. José Arias Mehmet Unal vs. Dragan Lepei Christopher Guerrero vs. Sergio García Moreno Fendero vs. Victor Hugo Flores
The relentless pressure of Beterbiev vs. Smith’s counterattack
“If you let Beterbiev come in the front door and don’t hit him with that punch to keep him at mid-range, he’s going to get chewed up like everyone else,” Chris Algieri told ProBox TV about tonight’s fight between IBF/Light Heavyweight Champion from the WBC/WBO, Artur Beterbiev, and Callum Smith.
“Beterbiev, he’s not a one-hit guy. He is a wrestler who will destroy you, break your nose, break your rib, beat you into some kind of submission. We saw it in the fight with Marcus Browne. He hit it everywhere, up and down, and Marcus Browne is a very talented guy.
“He is a fantastic fighter and Beterbiev was able to defeat him. Marcus Browne is also a tough guy, strong and durable. Beterbiev was still able to beat that drum and get him out of there.
“Like I said, he’s not a one-hit guy. if you leave it [Beterbiev] Come in, once it’s a nightmare. He doesn’t stop hitting, he doesn’t get tired, he is a machine, letting both hands go up and down. He chooses his blows very well. He is a precision hitter in everything that is difficult.
“If Smith can’t establish that mid-range and hit down the road and try to catch Beterbiev, it’s going to be a long or short night, depending on how you look at it,” Algieri said.
Durability and physicality.
“It also depends on your durability. The guys who have been able to withstand a long beating from Beterbiev are guys who have a little more durability,” said Paulie Malignaggi.
“I remember working a Beterbiev fight early in his career against a light heavyweight from Spain. [Ezequiel Maderna]. He put this guy to sleep standing up. This guy got out in one shot. Beterbiev is heavy-handed. It also depends on your durability.
“I don’t see Smith as the type of fighter who will stay outside, but maximize his punching power. I trained with McGirt. He may lose a little footwork, but he may gain a little more punching power.
“Smith, I’m not going to say you’re going to let Beterbiev in the front door, but he’s not going to move much either. So, it will be blows, right hands. I can see this fight turning into a shootout because, with McGirt’s style, you’ll max out your punching power, but you won’t move.
“So it won’t be much of a stretch for Smith to stay outside, where he’s using his legs,” Malignaggi said.
“If you watch Smith lately, he’ll let guys in and put his back against the ropes, looking for that counter left hook,” Algieri said. “He sits there and covers himself, and comes right back and ‘Bam.'”
“I remember the Canelo fight; he was doing it there too, but I don’t know if that’s a [good idea]. “You better knock out Beterbiev if you’re going to fight that way,” Malignaggi said.
Smith: the sniper who strikes back
“The reason why he [Smith] that’s his attitude. He believes in the physicality of him,” Teddy Atlas said. “He accepts that responsibility to behave like a fighter. Whenever he can, he will catch you. If you give him the choice between boxing or catching you, he will catch you.
“He is physically strong and believes that the best way to take advantage of it is from within. He’s not going to get over this guy. [Beterbiev]. You will have to use your brain. He’s going to have to prove it and use that length on the outside,” Atlas said.
The key to victory
“Beterbiev is 19-0 with 19 knockouts and he’s been fighting real guys,” Algieri said. “He obviously has the dynamite. He knows how to get kids out of there. Number two, he’s 38 years old. For that, we won’t get an answer until [tonight]. The other factor is 6’3” for Callum Smith. Even at light heavyweight, that’s big.
“There’s Beterbiev, who’s 5’11 1/2.” So the key to victory for him is to close the distance and get to his shop, which is right in front of you, without getting hit by Smith, with his bigger punches and his longer arms. He has to be smart going in. He has to be smart,” Algieri said.
