Our resident boxing expert Rob Tebbutt dissects this weekend's huge light-heavyweight world title showdown between Artur Beterbiev and Callum Smith, with the Russian putting his prized IBF, WBC & WBO straps on the line.
Artur Beterbiev v Callum Smith Tips
Artur Beterbiev v Callum Smith Bet Boost >>
Artur Beterbiev v Callum Smith Tips
Artur Beterbiev - Rounds 5 - 8 @ 12/5
Artur Beterbiev - Rounds 7 - 12 @ 6/5
So, we head over to Quebec, Canada, this weekend for the return of the unbeaten light-heavyweight world champion Artur Beterbiev, as he takes on former super-middleweight champion Callum Smith.
Beterbiev is widely regarded to be one of, if not the, most destructive puncher in world boxing with all 19 of his professional bouts ending in victory, and all coming by way of explosive knockout!
There's no doubt in my mind that the three belt holder is one of the best pound-for-pound fighters on the planet at this moment in time, but Smith, despite not being the most active in recent times, is a former world champion in his own right, and a fighter who, like Beterbiev, packs a real punch.
His lack of action over the past few years isn't going to aide his cause this weekend, but that said, he has looked very impressive and comfortable in his two fights up at 175lbs, with highlight reel stoppages of Lenin Castillo and Mathieu Bauderlique since jumping up a division.
That coupled with the fact that Beterbiev is surely at the twilight of his career now - he is 39 years of age after all - will give Smith hope of capturing the titles in what could be the toughest challenge of his career to date.
But where is the value going to be found in this fight?
Well, I feel it is difficult to look beyond Beterbiev, and yes, I know there are people questioning his credentials given his age and given the fact that he may not be the same fighter as he was three or four years ago, but still, he is very much the man to beat at light-heavyweight.
This is a tough, tough ask of Smith in Canada, and I expect Beterbiev, just as he so often does, to pile the pressure on from the first bell. He will come forward, use his underrated boxing skills and really get into his British opponent.
Smith however is a decent puncher in his own right, and we have seen Beterbiev dropped, albeit not stopped, in the past, so Smith will take heart from that as he backs himself to land that huge left hook of his.
Odds of 1/2 for Beterbiev to win the fight 'By KO, TKO or Disqualification' are a tad too short for me, but I do like the look of the Russian to get the job done during those mid to late rounds, particularly 'Between Rounds 5 - 8' which is priced up at 12/5.
'Rounds 7 - 12' also carries some appeal at 6/5 too, but I think this fight will all depend on Smith's durability. We saw him being backed up and bullied but Canelo Alvarez and John Ryder down at super-middleweight, and both of those are naturally much smaller than Beterbiev.
Smith is the undoubted underdog here, which explains the 13/2 on offer for the Liverpudlian to win 'By KO, TKO or Disqualification', so for me, as I said before, I find it really difficult not to back Beterbiev in this fight; particularly over those mid to late rounds, where he often comes so good.
Artur Beterbiev v Callum Smith Bet Boosts >>
Bet Builder
Fight Result: Callum Smith
Over 9.5 Rounds
Was 11/1 >> Now 12/1
Bet Builder
Fight Result: Artur Beterbiev
Over 9.5 Rounds
Was 17/10 >> Now 9/5
Bet Boosts were available and correct at the time of writing and are subject to removal or fluctuation.
