Comments Thread For: Callum Smith determined not to prove another of Artur Beterbiev's victims

[BoxingUpdates]

Callum Smith has dismissed suggestions that his defeat by Artur Beterbiev has taken from him the ability to overcome Joshua Buatsi
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[Tatabanya]

I had picked Smith to win, but after reading this interview I believe Buatsi will beat him. Not exactly the words of someone who still wants to be a fighter. It's the right condition for being knocked out and announce retirement on the spot.

[Left Hook Louie]

I had picked Smith to win, but after reading this interview I believe Buatsi will beat him. Not exactly the words of someone who still wants to be a fighter. It's the right condition for being knocked out and announce retirement on the spot.

Buatsi is either an underachiever or has been over-hyped.
If what you say is correct - that Smith is mailing it in at this point - we still won't learn what we need to about Buatsi and his potential at the highest levels of the division.

[1Eriugenus]

At one point I was really sure Buatsi would be world champion, he looked cool & assured in there. Then he seemed to lose his way & was getting hit when he didn't need to. When he switched trainer to Virgil Hunter I was sure he'd be champion, but it just doesn't seem to have worked out. Partly, that is bad luck with Covid followed by the division being dominated by the Bivol:Beterbiev fight & rematch, but he just hasn't been able to get his defining fight. Even now, his prospective defining fight seems to be Yarde & you could have said that 7 years ago! I think he'll beat Smith easily enough. Smith became SMW champion with tactics that relied on his being much bigger & stronger than his opponents, particularly v Groves. Take size & strength away &, at LHW, Smith hasn't got the skills to pay his bills. This isn't going to be Joshua's career defining fight &, sadly, at 31, I think he is just as far from that as he ever has been. Buatsi to win by stoppage around 9-11 & much good may it do him!

[Tatabanya]

Buatsi is either an underachiever or has been over-hyped.
If what you say is correct - that Smith is mailing it in at this point - we still won't learn what we need to about Buatsi and his potential at the highest levels of the division.

That's what I myself mean. Buatsi lacks in many departments, but Smith does sound like someone who'd rather enjoy a holiday with wife and sons than being punched in the face. A draw may arise from the sum of these "talents" as well.

[IronDanHamza]

That's what I myself mean. Buatsi lacks in many departments, but Smith does sound like someone who'd rather enjoy a holiday with wife and sons than being punched in the face. A draw may arise from the sum of these "talents" as well.

Exact reason why I'm picking Buatsi.

Smith said after the Beterbiev fight that he's considering retirement, at that point the fighter has one foot out the door, whether they even know it or not. It's never a good sign at that point.

Added with the fact that Buatsi is the natural LHW of the two and the way fresher fighter.

I expect Buatsi to win.

[Tatabanya]

Exact reason why I'm picking Buatsi.

Smith said after the Beterbiev fight that he's considering retirement, at that point the fighter has one foot out the door, whether they even know it or not. It's never a good sign at that point.

Added with the fact that Buatsi is the natural LHW of the two and the way fresher fighter.

I expect Buatsi to win.

Not to mention the fact that Smith has always been overrated, after his knockout win over a faded Groves (which may be the lone relevant win of Callum's career).

[James Hunt]

Callum is there just to collect the check.
He looked like garbage in his comeback fight against a journeyman.

[Tatabanya]

Exact reason why I'm picking Buatsi.

Smith said after the Beterbiev fight that he's considering retirement, at that point the fighter has one foot out the door, whether they even know it or not. It's never a good sign at that point.

Added with the fact that Buatsi is the natural LHW of the two and the way fresher fighter.

I expect Buatsi to win.

Well mate - Buatsi is much worse than we thought, it seems...

[IronDanHamza]

Well mate - Buatsi is much worse than we thought, it seems...

Literally all be bets ruined in the first fight!