Boxing has taken its sweet time to get going in 2024, with the best part of a fortnight passing before any worthwhile bouts are on display. They say that good things take time, however, and great things take ages. That’s certainly the case this year, as the boxing calendar gets well and truly underway with a tantalizing clash between the unbeaten Artur Beterbiev and the hardy Callum Smith. Ahead of this title fight, we break down the Beterbiev vs Smith odds and look at the best bets to make on this clash.
With Beterbiev holding one of the most impressive records in boxing – a 100% knockout rate – can Smith do what no man has done before and last the distance with the Russian? Or will the Brit become yet another casualty of the seemingly-immortal boxer’s devastating power? Read on for our Artur Beterbiev vs Callum Smith prediction below before this weekend’s fight.
| 🥊 Weight Class/Division: | WBC, IBF, WBO World Light Heavyweight Title (12 rounds) |
| 🏟️ Venue: | Videotron Centre, Quebec City, Canada |
| 🗓️ Date: | 13 January 2024 |
| ⏰ Time: | From 9:00 PM EST on Saturday |
Before we get into our Artur Beterbiev vs Callum Smith betting tips, let’s see what the best boxing bookies have to say about this match-up. Here are the latest Beterbiev vs Smith betting odds:
As expected, Beterbiev is a heavy favorite in the outright betting odds. The reigning champion returns just 1.25 (1/4) for a win, compared to Smith’s 4.00 (3/1) for victory. Method of victory odds reveal a little more, with a Beterbiev knockout the most likely option at 1.44 (4/9), ahead of the Russian winning on points at 5.50 (9/2). Smith’s best shot is seen as a knockout, with a payout of 7.00 (6/1).
On paper, it’s been as good as it gets. Literally – Beterbiev has fought 19 times and 19 times he’s knocked out his opponent. However, those who look at the Russian’s fights with a closer eye will see that Beterbiev’s clash against Anthony Yarde in 2023 was far from dominant, raising a question or two about when Father Time will come knocking.
Power, technical skill, iron jaw, killer instinct. There’s a reason Beterbiev has been at the top of this division since 2017 – he’s good, damn good. Regardless of who he’s facing, Beterbiev’s ability to find a way to put his opponent on the canvas is unparalleled.
Smith has just one blemish on his professional record, and even that is barely a smudge. Across 30 fights, the Brit has lost just once, to the GOAT Canelo Alvarez. Since then, he’s built back nicely, claiming wins over Lenin Castillo and Mathieu Bauderlique, both by knockout.
Size, ability to punch off both hands. We’re nitpicking here, but Smith is a big light heavyweight. He’ll be able to use this against Beterbiev and capitalize on any openings with strikes from both sides.
While bookmakers aren’t offering much for a Beterbiev win, we’ve scanned all the betting sites in Canada and found the best odds ahead of our Artur Beterbiev vs Callum Smith tips. Here’s a look at our top Artur Beterbiev vs Callum Smith predictions:
2 (100%)
0
OK, OK – it’s not a particularly exciting wager, but don’t shoot the messenger. Beterbiev has simply never done anything else in a boxing ring except knockouting his opponents. Sure, last fight was less than convincing, and Smith is a tough cookie, but that doesn’t negate the fact that Beterbiev is on a 19-fight knockout streak.
Throw in the added motivation of an undisputed fight against Dmitry Bivol later this year, and it’s hard to see this one going any other way. Beterbiev will be locked in to get to that fight unscathed and should rack up knockout number 20 this weekend.
0
(100%) 2
This is a risky bet but mirrored by a healthy return. The logic here is that Artur Beterbiev is 38 years old, and at some stage, time will catch up to him. With the Russian not fighting for a year, there’s a chance that we’ll see a much slower, less powerful version of the light heavyweight champion step into the ring. It’s not guaranteed, but equally, it has to happen at some stage.
If Beterbiev has finally aged, then it’s a perfect opportunity for Smith to land a knockout of his own. He doesn’t cope too well with pressure fighters, but the best way for him to get out of this is by fighting fire with fire.
1 (50%)
(50%) 1
Looking at the majority of Beterbiev’s recent fights, there’s a trend toward the Russian taking his time to finish opponents off. Perhaps a more realistic scenario in terms of Beterbiev’s age is that he still wins by knockout in this bout, but it comes towards the end, much the way it did against Anthony Yarde.
Boxing gets underway with a hiss and a roar this weekend as light heavyweights Artur Beterbiev and Callum Smith square off for the WBO, IBF, and WBC belts in Canada. We say that despite the temptation to bet against him, Beterbiev will yet again add a knockout to his name and claim this clash in the dying rounds.
