Anyone else not sold on Calum Smith?

Something just doesn’t sit right with me with Calum.

He got the ghost of Groves, hasn’t been on a tear, and is clearly a LHW.

 

Hmm I get what you are saying. Thought he was an excellent prospect rising the ranks but a few questions still need answered.

A lot of people saying he is too big for Canelo but I wouldn't pick Smith to win anyway.

 

He'll have to step up a division sometime in the next few years, and that's when we'll really find out. But I think he gets found out when he meets a top level skilled boxer the same size as him. I had Groves to win though like most, so give kudos to Callum where they're due.

 

Here, steady on! You lot will have twentyman on here in a minute banging on about the Planks ginormous "ring IQ".!!! Cue twentyman any second now.... . Making normally sensible people like 20 lose the run of themselves is the Planks second biggest achievement. His biggest is making 168.
A physical marvel is the Plank but I'm afraid, despite what his devoted (if misguided) fans would have you believe, he's no great shakes as a boxer.

 

Callum Smith is a beast. Groves had just beat Eubank Jr and been on a winning run.

 

Groves was already ruined by Young Christopher but that doesn't mean Smith isn't a beast.

Being a big guy for the division isn't a negative lol. Being a massive bloke for the division is great. Big advantage, can smash blokes on size alone.

Smith wouldn't just beat Canelo because he's bigger, he will beat him because he has the foot work, punching power and ring IQ.

Smith could beat GGG in a warm up and Canelo in the main event.

 

Agree with original poster

 

He's blew hot and cold to me. Exciting prospect, then kinda stagnated a bit. Looked average or poor against average and poor opponents. Dropping down to his opponents level you could say because he proved himself beating Groves and in that manner, that finish. I think Smith against the top fighters will bring the best out in him, the way Groves did. He's risen to a new level after that win, but now needs to cement his position as number 1 and get another big win on his record.

 

When it matters he's delivered everytime. It was an excellent performance against Groves. He's huge at the weight and I expect him to dominate 168.

 

As a fighter yes as a boxer not so much boxer
Still achieving no e the less fair p!ay
Took groves out with less controversy as erm

 

I can see why people would criticise him. He has the Gallagher style, high guard, quite tight and tucked in and he’s huge for the weight. He is guilty of underperforming when he’s expected to breeze through a bout. I would not judge him on them performances (even though he won easy anyway). Don’t forget, he had long periods of inactivity and he was encouraged to get the rounds in in the 2 fights prior to Groves.

He is a really good boxer though, his jab is top class, he sets traps and is patient with it. His shot variety and control of distance is excellent but he can also work really well on the inside. You can see the amateur pedigree he has. He’s also very heavy handed and if he hurts an opponent, he is absolutely devastating at finishing the fight.

I totally get it if people don’t like him, but i’d argue that it’s the style that plays a big factor in that rather than the actual substance.

 

How has he got ring IQ?

 

He is 6ft3+ and walks around at nearly 200lbs. He should be a LHW.

The problem is that at LHW you have some fighters who can punch like cruiserweights or heavyweights.

 

Smith is a very intelligent fighter. He is very effective because he has a lot of intent with his work. Very accurate and maximises his physical advantages, he doesn't waste many punches and sets traps.

He made Groves work harder than he wanted to, just to stay competitive. He forced mistakes out of Groves and punished him for them. Nobody ever beat Groves so decisively. Smith did it effortlessly as well.

Smith is the type of fighter that never looks panicked because he is working to a game plan. Ring IQ isn't just about fancy foot work like many seem to believe.