Eddie Hearn Believes Callum Smith’s Left Hook Could Be the Key to Victory over Beterbiev

Eddie Hearn Believes Callum Smith’s Left Hook Could Be the Key to Victory over Beterbiev

Eddie Hearn, promoter of former super middleweight world champion Callum Smith, believes his fighter’s sneaky left hook could prove to be the difference-maker in a potential clash with Artur Beterbiev, the current IBF, WBC, and WBO light heavyweight champion.

Beterbiev, the Russian powerhouse, has been unbeatable in his professional career, having knocked out all 19 of his opponents. However, Hearn feels that the 38-year-old champion may be showing some signs of wear and tear and could be susceptible to Smith’s counter left hook.

Despite acknowledging that Smith would be the clear underdog in the matchup, Hearn expressed confidence that the 32-year-old Liverpudlian has the power and skillset to pull off the upset.

“I think Callum Smith is going to knock Beterbiev out,” Hearn told FightHubTV. “I really do. Yeah, I’m very confident he’ll win that fight.”

Hearn pointed out that Smith is a huge puncher at light heavyweight and that his weight cut down to 168 pounds may have hampered his performance in the past. Smith’s only loss came in a unification bout against Canelo Alvarez at super middleweight.

“If he hits him on the chin with a left hook he’s going to knock him clean out,” Hearn said.

Hearn also referenced Beterbiev’s recent bout against British fighter Anthony Yarde, where he felt the champion was taking his time in the fight and showed some signs of age. Hearn believes Smith is a much better fighter than Yarde at light heavyweight and could use his clever catch-and-counter left hook to score a knockout victory over Beterbiev.

While no official announcement has been made for a potential Beterbiev-Smith fight, Hearn stated that he expects the matchup to be mandated by the WBC and hopes to stage the fight in Smith’s hometown of Liverpool or possibly in the Middle East in late summer.