Comments Thread For: Artur Beterbiev Certain To Unleash His Ferocity in Joe Smith Unification

[tokon]

I have been beating the drum for Beterbiev and Bivol for so long, I feel like my arms would fall off. Then when Bivol signed to Alvarez, I figured that was it. Nothing but scrubs for a while.

Then.... this got signed.

I have been giggling ever since. On top of that, I only get one weekend off a month, and Beterbiev and Smith were polite enough to pick that weekend for the fight!! AND it is on free TV, which is ironic because I would pay for this one. As a boxing fan, I do not lose here. I cheer for both of these guys. I have to admit that I do not think Smith looked good in either of his last 2 fights, but I do think he is the kind of guy who boxes to the level of his competition. I think he brings a serious "A" game this Saturday. Beterbiev is underrated as a technical fighter, but it is mostly all about offense with him. The guy has been manufactured out of granite, and so far no one has been able to hurt him. Smith has good power, so I am super interested to see if Smith can take advantage of the "take one to land two" style that Beterbiev imposes on his competition.

If Smith can hurt Beterbiev, he will win an all-action fight on points, likely UD. If he cannot, Smith will not see the championship rounds as he is there to be hit. My gut says Beterbiev by legit KO, somewhere between the 8th-10th rounds.

Nice post and a good prediction. I think the longer it goes, the worse it is for Joe and his best chance of winning is too start fast and keep going. The problem is he tends to be a bit of a slow starter.

[AmpMcv]

What a matchup?!? This is going to be great. I love JSJ but not because of his skills. Beterbiev is a fantastic boxer with scary power. Both humble guys who can crack.

If JSJ keeps Beef back with that jab and times him coming in he's got a shot. It's a long shot and I think it's maybe his only chance.

[57Blues]

So I have always looked forward to both these guys fighting leading up to this fight this weekend, the writer makes it sound like it is Better who will win but with the power and the staying power of Joe Jr. that is not an absolute here. How much wear is on each fighter, better took some damage in his last fight but proved a lot. With Joe Jr. he needs to have a prime showing but that is in him, in the same way they both have that extra animal instinct in them Both have that in there blood. It is a fight that if you have a favorite you can't go wrong if you like them both you are in for a good fight, and if you are not sure ? Well you will be introduced to two damn good fighters and a hell of of a fight. Even the announcers can not screw this one up. (muting is an option)

[Ropeydope]

I like Joe Smith, but he’s in for a long night if he doesn’t get respect in the early rounds, and even then…… Beterbiev has way more experience from amateur days and when he’s faced the best, such as Gvozdyk, he’s won emphatically, as apposed to Smith who was outclassed back to back by Berrera and Bivol. They both can crack but one is just a better boxer.

[Dakuwaqa]

Artur seems like a chill geezer

Allah Akbar

[MONGOOSE66]

I see this fight a little different than most, when Bivol fought Smith he never let him into the fight till the 12th round. His boxing skills kept Smith at bay.
Beterbiev on the other hand I see as “letting Smith into the fight”. I could be wrong but I see this fight just as much a threat to Beterbiev as to Smith. Smiths strength is his power and aggression. Same goes for Beterbiev. Very fan friendly fight. Cant wait.

[eco1]

To me this is a fight that can go one of both ways:

Smith Early or Beterbiev in 6-7 rounds.

Beterbiev has to be careful not to get hit by Smith cause the guy can punch but I still favor and have Beterbiev in 6.

[ELPacman]

I was hoping he would lose so I can bestow him with the name, Artur Batteredbiev but I'm not sure that time will come yet.

[Bonham77]

Smith really struggled against Bivol. Had he not landed that one punch at the end of the 10th the fight would’ve been a complete whitewash.

I think people seriously underrate Beterbiev’s skill level because his relentless style and knockouts eclipse it. His footwork and lateral movement are genuinely excellent, amongst the absolute best in the game and i think that’s what Smith will struggle with the most.

I expect Beterbiev to thoroughly outbox Smith over the first 4 or 5 rounds, slow him down with well placed, hurtful shots particularly to the body and stop him in the middle to late rounds. Smith’s feet are too slow and I don’t think Beterbiev will allow him to engage with him early on and will use his skill to pick him apart and break him down.

" Smith really struggled against Bivol "...hmmm . This is starting to sound familiar. Who else struggled with Bivol.? None other than the 5-1 favourite and #1 P4P, Canelo Alvarez. Bivol is the best at 175. Better than Smith, better than Beterbiev. This Beterbiev vs Smith fight is a battle of chins. Because both are going to land hard and heavy. Neither fighter is great defensively. Beterbiev is there to be hit. And so is Smith. It's going to come down to the chin in this fight. I'm going with Smith.

[M111]

" Smith really struggled against Bivol "...hmmm . This is starting to sound familiar. Who else struggled with Bivol.? None other than the 5-1 favourite and #1 P4P, Canelo Alvarez. Bivol is the best at 175. Better than Smith, better than Beterbiev. This Beterbiev vs Smith fight is a battle of chins. Because both are going to land hard and heavy. Neither fighter is great defensively. Beterbiev is there to be hit. And so is Smith. It's going to come down to the chin in this fight. I'm going with Smith.

Agree Bivol is the most skilled in the division and if I had to bet I’d say he’s likely to beat Beterbiev if and when they do meet particularly considering Beterbiev’s age. However, I don’t think Beterbiev’s fight with Smith will even be particularly close. I think Browne was more skilled and longer than Smith and Beterbiev flattened him.

I don’t see this as a slug fest. I see Arthur being way above Joe skill wise and I think that will show. I think he’ll beat Smith more easily than he beat Browne. Too mobile, too many under appreciated facets to his game.