Mundane Smith has some decent power to keep AB at bay. But AB's crunching body shots would take their toll. Stoppage in round 9.
Smith is the only danger to AB at 175 given Bivol won't fight. I think it is too early for Smith though, should fight at least one more fight at the weight. Smith was given zero time to prepare for Canelo and thus didn't really have a chance, taking the fight for the payday. With full preparation it would be a different fight.
Beterbiev might retire smith. Canelo took part of his soul, beterbiev would come for the second half.
Smith went the distance against Canelo so I'd give him a fair chance to do the same against Beterbiev. I don't think he can beat Beterbiev and it would be a lopsided decision.
Smith lands a counter hook bomb while being swarmed by Beterbiev on the ropes. Beterbiev makes it up but is finished on his feet by a flurry. People are surprised but then rewatch the fast Smith counters landed on numerous skilled guys and also notice his added bulk and power now he's not an oversized stickman at 168. Well, it's not impossible. Beterbiev is way easier to hit than Canelo, also in Smith's strike zone, and has been floored, he's not invincible.
The Ryder fight was a robbery. Smiths always been overrated. He would be in survival mode vs Beterbiev pretty quickly
This highlights the idiocy of the ratings, Smith isn’t even the number one contender for the British title!
Smith can be a player at 175 but Beterbiev is the worst fight for him. Smith likes a stand-off fight, whereas Beterbiev will just run straight at him. Smith has a chance of tagging him coming in but it’s not a big chance
And just on time, the resident Clenelo fan arrives to hype up Ginger's opponents. Mundo was a walking heavy bag against Alvarez. Getting hit that much by Beterbiev typically ends in a stoppage.