Callum Smith – ‘I believe I can finish Artur Beterbiev’

Not one of Artur Beterbiev‘s 19 professional opponents has lasted to hear the final bell, but Callum Smith will not be focusing on survival when he faces boxing’s most intimidating fighter Saturday (ESPN/ESPN+, 10 p.m. ET). Instead, Smith is going for the knockout in a title fight that has been rearranged after it was postponed in July.

Beterbiev has delivered knockouts consistently as a metronome and, despite turning 39 years old later this month, arguably produced his best performances in his last two fights, victories over Joe Smith Jr. and Anthony Yarde. Many are expecting Beterbiev to defend his WBC, IBF and WBO light heavyweight world titles by knockout for the 20th successive time at the Centre Videotron in Quebec City, Canada, and set up the possibility of an undisputed title fight against fellow Russian Dmitry Bivol (22-0, 11 KOs), the WBA champion.

But Beterbiev’s reign faces a serious threat in Smith, a former super middleweight world champion who has been plotting the light heavyweight king’s downfall during training camps at home in Liverpool, England, and in Los Angeles, with renowned coach Buddy McGirt.

Smith (29-1, 21 KOs), 33, is a heavy puncher himself and, following two stoppage victories at light heavyweight since losing a decision to Canelo Alvarez at super middleweight in December 2020, believes he has the qualities to beat Beterbiev.

“He’s a very good fighter, his record speaks for itself, but he’s not invincible, he can be hit and he can be hurt, we’ve seen that,” Smith told ESPN. “I believe he can be hurt and he can be put over. I know I can put him over and we have worked on that, I believe I can finish Artur Beterbiev.

“I don’t watch him thinking I can’t beat him. I believe the best version of me can beat him and I believe the timing is right on my side. We don’t know if he’s aging yet, but I just know that I’m in with a big puncher and because of that he keeps me more switched on.”

Smith also understands that one mistake against Beterbiev and his quest to become a champion in a second weight class could be all over.

“With this level of opponent, like Beterbiev, it could be done in seconds — I know that. But it brings out the sharpness in me and gives me the fear factor to put into training and keep pushing.”

Beterbiev (19-0, 19 KOs), who is based in Montreal but originally from Khasavyurt, Russia, gave his mandatory challenger reasons to be concerned…