CALLUM SMITH knows what it is like to face Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol in the ring – and is expecting fireworks on Saturday night.
Beterbiev puts his undisputed light heavyweight title on the line this weekend against Bivol in Saudi Arabia.
Former super-middleweight star Smith has faced both fighters during his storied career.
Mundo took on Bivol during his days as an amateur fighter, before turning pro 2012.
He memorably lost out to Beterbiev in January last year as the pair fought for the WBC, IBF, and WBO light-heavyweight titles.
Bivol and Beterbiev, 40, faced off in October, with the latter winning a controversial fight by majority decision.
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Smith believes a draw would have been a fairer result for that clash.
And is he backing Bivol, 34, to turn the tables ahead of this weekend’s dust-up in the desert.
Smith said: “They’re both very, very good fighters.
“I think that showed in the first fight it was very hard to split them.
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“I seen a lot favoured Beterbiev, a lot favoured Bivol, a draw was probably a fair result.
“I just think second time around they obviously know each other well, I just don’t know if the time keeps going on it favours Bivol a little bit more – he’s younger, he’s fresher.
“Beterbiev, we keep saying it, but he can’t keep just going on. That last fight was the toughest of his career.
“It’ll be interesting to see how much that has taken out of him. Is he finally gonna look his age?
“It’s going to be another really close fight and tough to pick but if I have to side with one I’d side with Bivol this time.”
Despite concerns over 40-year-old Beterbiev’s fitness, he claims to be in better shape than last year’s meeting.
The Russian was plagued by a knee issue in the run-up to that contest – an injury he now says has fully healed.
Beterbiev told DAZN: “If you compare my other fights, you can say [the first vs Bivol] was my toughest fight
“But it is a little bit different. I think in my boxing career, I’ve [fought] stronger guys.
“The knee was a problem in the first fight, but it is near perfect now.
“My movement should be much better for this fight. My performance in the first fight was not perfect, I know I can do much better in this one.”
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Saturday’s action has been billed as The Fight Card of the Century.
Seven world titles are up for grabs, with Daniel Dubois taking on Joseph Parker in the co-main event.
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
