Photos: Sumio Yamada
Saturday night’s high-stakes light heavyweight title unification showdown between WBC/IBF champion Artur Beterbiev (17-0, 17 KOs) and WBO champion Joe Smith, Jr. (28-3, 22 KOs) at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City promises to feature plenty of action between two of the sport’s most dangerous punchers.
The 37-year-old Beterbiev, boxing’s only active world champion with a 100% knockout rate, is about an 8:1 favorite at most sportsbooks. But Smith, 32, is a live underdog who has knockout wins over Eleider Alvarez and Hall of Famer Bernard Hopkins among others.
The bout will air on ESPN.
You have to hand it to Smith, he’s taken and takes on the best and hardest fights he can unlike another boxer we all know.
I like his chances against Beterbiev if he can use his reach and power to keep him from getting close then counter with his right hand, he has a chance, Beterbiev has been hurt before.
Beterbiev has been dropped and buzzed good…but not hurt ,he can recover very quickly.
I believe Smith has better chin and is the younger in this fight. I guess we should be prepared for an upset this time
Wouldn’t bet on that-only chance for Smith is Beterbiev getting old. Different classes of fighters-Smith’s biggest win was over a past prime Bernard Hopkins.
Even tho Smith Jr has only been stopped once early in his career, and has losses against Sullivan Barrera and against Dmitri Bivol, I see him getting Massacred against Beterview. NO upset here whatsoever. Smith Jr’s only noatable win was against a 59 year old Hopkins.
Smith Jr has never been stopped, you’re mistaken.
NEVER count Joe Smith out!!
to:BoriMex;i wish you good luck again Beterbiev.I hope for you that you did not bet . Beterbiev is a very special kind of boxer.What so special:It is Arthur B.
I’m picking Beterbiev, but I don’t know that Beterbiev is the same fighter that he once was. In his last two fights he hasn’t looked like it and I wouldn’t at all be surprised if Smith caught him with something and hurt him bad.
I am picking him as well Lucie…That said I will have to text my buddy and tell him the odds are now 8 to 1! Considering the upsets Smith has caused Fonfara, Hopkins, and Alvarez…those odds are way too long! We have a 37 year old who has been hurt before who comes at you. Favorite yes…8 to 1…no way!
A vulnerable 37 year old against a 32 year old in his physical prime, in his hometown, who has good experience and, at least on paper, is probably the biggest puncher Beterbiev has ever fought. He didn’t catch Kovalev or Stevenson. Unless they know something we don’t (like Smith being injured or something), 8-1 seems kinda nuts.
Smith I thought was lucky to get the decision with Vlasov and that was not even in NY. I doubt it will go to the cards but if it is close Beterbiev could be in trouble for sure.
Beterbiev will really apply the pressure to Smith forcing him to fight on the heels of his feet backing up. Smith is very capable of upsetting anyone’s applecart in a boxing match, but Beterbiev’s high pressure offense will change Smith’s plans. On the other hand, Smith did a wonderful job in his performance against Hopkins that catapulted him into the front-line seat of being noticed in the boxing world. I am sure Hopkins will never forget the name Joe Smith :).
A wonderful job against a 50 year old
Hopkins in his own right mind thought he could beat Smith. He signed the contract and bit off more than he could chew. Yep, bad lesson for a 50-year-old, right?
Smith has absolutely no chance outside of a lucky punch. Much like Kambosos had absolutely zero chance against Haney. Bob Foster must be turning over in his grave
Smith HAS to fight on the outside,keeping B from to close,if he doesn’t B will beat him up
Surprise
Beterbiev, inside 8
We know he’s a heavy favorite. lol
Joe Smith is tops in my book especially after knocking out Hopkins who talked so much smack before the fight and said no white boy is ever going to knock me out, not only did smith knock out Hopkins but he knocked him out of the ring, and smith is from New York which made the victory even sweeter. Smith by late stoppage ..!!!
BigO,Iwish that you gonna win but,do you ever seen Beterbiev the way that I see him,I have seen both fithers in action and Ican’t understand HOW I he gonna stop MR.Beterbiev.Smith is a hell of a good,excellent fighter,Beterbiev is just a wrecking machine.Have a good fight and sorry for my english,I have’nt read,speak english for 35 years.(I am from Québec),BYE!!
Smith is a descent fighter, but he is totally out classed by Beterbiev, I can’t see this fight going more than 5-7 rounds before Beterbiev knocks Smith out. The only hope Smith has is that Beterbiev suddenly starts showing his age at 37.
I just watched the fight and have to say that Joe Smith and his corner had the worst game plan you can imagine. It looked like it came directly from Beterbiev’s camp!