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

[Wacked_Out]

I think Joe swarms him and gets an early KO. If he doesnt then Joe wont win.

[steeve steel]

This might end up looking like Beterbiev vs Callum Johnson. Beterbiev gets rocked, then gets up "mad", and finishes his opponent. Anyway, Beterbiev by stoppage, again, like he always does.

[NachoMan]

Having a jaw smashed twice is not a good thing against Beterbiev... Anyone who had a broken something in their life know that weak spot never really completely goes away...

For sure. I do feel that Beterbiev is a bit overrated and Joe Smith a bit underrated on this site. I understand Beterbiev being the favorite based on resumes, but I think this is a very competitive matchup based on styles and age (Beterbiev is 37 now). I think Bivol becomes undisputed LHW champion, whether he fights Beterbiev or rematches Smith.

[Dakuwaqa]

Beterbievs hairline and beard game are on point

Compact man, short hard punches

I can see him getting caught by Joe Smiths long leavers

[CasperUK]

Beterbievs hairline and beard game are on point

Compact man, short hard punches

I can see him getting caught by Joe Smiths long leavers

Only if he stands in range and has a poor defence.

He normally has a high guard and is good at fighting backwards too without losing any power.

[Superbee]

Only if he stands in range and has a poor defence.

He normally has a high guard and is good at fighting backwards too without losing any power.

This is what most people don't get ... He has a very good footwork, a deceiving jab and he can hurt you from a 12" strike at any time .... Of course being an "inside" fighter he's gonna catch some, and will give you more damage in the mean time ... Smith Jr has no chance unless the hypothetical one hit wonder ...

[_Rexy_]

Retired because of broken jaw though, not a KO.

So he's had his jaw broken twice??

[NachoMan]

So he's had his jaw broken twice??

Yeah, (technically 3x) but breaking his jaw only makes him tougher. The first time he got it busted (in two spots) early against Caminero he couldn't take the pain and had to quit. The second time he took the pain for 8 rds and lost a UD to Barrera. He'll probably get it busted in the 1st round against Beterbiev, but he'll laugh it off and win by KO this time.


https://www.usatoday.com/story/sport...era/486877001/

[NachoMan]

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.

I think you overrate Beterbiev's boxing ability and his feet. Beterbiev is a good pressure fighter with good power and a solid chin, but he's far from being any kind of elite boxer if we can agree that an elite boxer does a lot more hitting than getting hit. Smith Jr is not going to struggle to land on Beterbiev because Beterbiev doesn't move his head well and that beard is there to hit al day long.

[M111]

Having a jaw smashed twice is not a good thing against Beterbiev... Anyone who had a broken something in their life know that weak spot never really completely goes away...

Untrue. Bone re-knits stronger like a weld on metal. Sinew and ligament don’t fully repair. Bone does.