He is never fought someone as big, strong and as good as Smith in their prime. He has a granite chin, but this will be a big test considering he is fighting up in weights. This fight will be a modern day classic.
Canelo is fantastic no doubt, but he got one very lucky decision against GGG if not two. His work rate I dont think is that great actually. He loves to stay in mid-range and counter punch. Which he is great at. To beat Smith fairly I think you're best chances are to either do it on his chest or from outside, with outstanding movement. Canelo doesnt tend to fight either those ways, but not saying he cant. Will he chance style for an opponent ? I think he should, but I dont think he will, until he realises later in fight. If he fights at mid-range waiting to counter he wont get much change out of Smith.
Like others have said I don't buy this "4 week camp claim". If you're a world champion boxer who had been slated for a late year fight all of 2020, surely you stay ready. Callum is clearly huge for his weight so it's not as easily said because he needs to boil down to make 168 but at the end of the day, if Callum is not ready for the fight he doesn't have to take it. I think it would be nice if Callum Johnson can get a fight on this undercard to kill two birds with one stone since Gallagher will be out there for Smith anyway.
I’m exactly the same on it. Always wanted Callum to do well & believed he could be a world champion at both 168 and 175. I still believe he can. In many ways I’m glad he’s getting this fight out the way as mad as that sounds so he can focus on winning more belts. Canelo is an exceptional talent and there’s no shame getting chinned off him, especially with short training camps and rehydration clauses.
I have no doubt he has been training but how can he be so clueless only 2 weeks ago that this fight was happening? Going by that interview he has no idea he is fighting Canelo in 6 weeks time and I would go as far to say as he doesn't think it's happening.
Smith had a decent chance, not sure how much of a chance now he's effectively only got 3 weeks worth of training though. Will he even make weight and what happens if he doesn't? I do feel Canelo is overated, I think he's lost at least 4 fights. Let's not forget even Khan was winning against him until the inevitable and so was Kovalev. This isn't a cake walk by any stretch. If Smith looks as poor as he did vs Ryder then he will lose though. I'd normally back a brit but if I'm being honest I don't want Smith to win. He's so unambitious, in my mind he's still only faced one top tier (World class) SMW and that was Groves. Even if he beat Canelo I don't see him going up to LHW to face someone like Beterbiev anyway. I don't think I could handle the fawning over him if he won!
A Groves that only 'took part' for the PPV Loot on offer and should have retired with his career ending shoulder injury in the previous fight.
Was a level fight too until the knockout. Groves was emulating his former stablemate in that fight. He went in broken only for the loot.
I give Smith credit for the Groves win, I think Groves shoulder looked ok in the fight. Obviously I don't know the impact it had with being able to set up certain shots, combos traps etc. I did have Groves winning the fight by a round I think as I felt after Smiths decent start, Groves was starting to take control. That's one of my main issues with Smith, he just runs out of ideas and is firmly in the JG mould. I just don't think Smith is anything special (bar decent power) and that left hook catch counter he does to head and body. If he had any ambition he'd of faced better opponents by now.
Smith is a weight bully and the cut is going to catch him out eventually. He's not getting any younger, 30 now? canelo by body shot to close the show.
Smith’s best chance IMO is to catch Canelo with a vicious counter left hook and lets be honest Callum hits ****ing hard. It’s not beyond the realms of imagination even though Canelo’s defence and chin are so good.
The re-hydration clauses, judging and game playing by team Canelo with timing of the fight will make it very, very hard for Callum to win this fight as Canelo's talent and ability aside he will have every possible advantage in his favour. He will have to if not knock him out and stop him (don't see that happening) at least put him down 1-2 times and dominate from early on. I hope he goes out there to win and takes risks rather than just turning up on the night to collect his millions and coast to a points loss. He never had the slightest interest in unifying and fighting Saunders or Plant so I am a bit skeptical on the motivation here clearly 'biggest fight' simply means the best paying fight regardless of anything else.
