Callum Smith Believes He’s In His Prime, Vows To Beat Artur Beterbiev

Callum Smith thinks he can get beat Artur Beterbiev if he is given the chance.

Smith is currently the mandatory challenger for Beterbiev’s WBC title but it’s uncertain if he will get Beterbiev next. Yet, the Brit believes he will get the fight and when he does, he’s confident he will get his hand raised.

“I’ve done my part. I’ve become mandatory so I can sit and wait and fight for three of the belts. He wants a respectable opponent in the spring – “it’s got to be an opponent that makes me want to get into camp, makes me want to train hard” – even though it will be a fight Smith cannot afford to lose. It’s a bit of a tricky one. But if I’m good enough to beat Beterbiev, which I believe I am, I should be good enough to beat anyone else I the meantime, as long as I stay focused and motivated,” Smith told Sky Sports (via BoxingScene).

“I believe I can beat anyone on the planet. I believe I can win the belts as well. He’s European style, applies pressure but doesn’t just race forward, he’s clever how he does it and obviously heavy-handed,” Smith continued. “He has been hurt, he’s been put over twice as a professional and he’s not invincible. I’ve seen other fighters hurt him and put him over, I fully believe I can. I’m in my peak years now and the time to beat him is now.”

Callum Smith (29-1) is on a two-fight winning skid after scoring KO wins over Mathieu Bauderlique and Lenin Castillo. His lone career loss was a decision loss to Canelo Alvarez but has since moved up in weight after the loss. In his career, he also holds notable wins over John Ryder, Nieky Holzken, Erik Skoglund, George Groves, and Rocky Fielding among others.

Do you think Callum Smith can beat Artur Beterbiev?