Eubank never throw hardly anything against either fighter for 6 rounds when he did start throwing that's when he was hitting fresh air ! I think you will find Callum Smith beat the European champion easy the same opponent who George Groves had a harder fight against. I judge boxers as I see them, i tipped Groves to lose both Frich fights as Froch was better in my opinion but I strongly tipped Groves to beat Eubank as I thought he was better. I see Smith beating Groves but i can see why people would pick Groves, what I can't see is how anyone would still tip Eubank to beat one of the world's best super middleweights after last week. If I thought Groves would win against Smith I would have no issue saying so. If either Smith or Groves fight to the level of their last performance they will lose against the other, as both will improve (I just think Callum Smith has much more in him to improve for the challenge).
That's your problem, you see Callum as one of the best super middleweights which is laughable. The reason Eubank didn't throw anything was because of the footwork of Groves and Saunders which made it difficult for him to close the range and get on the inside. Your Callum doesn't have such footwork as he walks backwards and forwards in straight lines. He relies on his jab and reach to to keep his opponent at bay, which works well for him. However as seen last night, he doesn't have the lateral movement to keep himself out of harms way against a high pressure or high punch volume fighters. As for Groves, he is rubbing his hands at the prospect of facing Stiff. This is an easy night's work for him. Easier than fighting Chudinov who I also believe would have beaten Stiff last night.
He is one of the best super middleweights mate. It’s not the strongest division though. I put Groves & Ramirez at the top, Benavidez is in the same boat as Callum where we’re not 100% sure how good he is. Degale’s shoulder makes him a walking punchbag, Jesse Hart’s another who hasn’t made that transition to world level. He might do yet. He’s another big lad. Zeuge isn’t all that. Truax is very very beatable. It’s not exactly a mouthwatering division...I’d put Callum in the top 3.
Anyone who thinks Callum Smith has not been world class in his last two fights are correct but that doesn't mean he is not world class. He is laid back and doesn't go through gears against people he expects an easy night against. Has he fought world class opponents? the answer is no. He would have if Dirrell never ran from him for a year and the WBC allowed it, or if Braemer never pulled out or if Groves took a fight against him which had been offered to Groves for at least two years now. I think after he fights Groves if Groves actually makes the final there will be many blaming Groves defeat on his shoulder as they have something against Callum Smith as they either don't like Paul or Liam.
But do you accept that smith better have extra gears that he hasn't shown last night. I think Eubank might well have overwhelmed the version of Callum we saw last night....
The single common opinion is that smith needs to leave joe g. Joe just isn't highly thought of, is he? Smith doesn't seem to be progressing under Joe.
Of course he needs to show extra gears Len, 100% mate, but i think George does too. Callum played safe last night if and it's a big if CEJ got past his jab often he would have went up a gear but I think he would have happily fought Eubank up close as he isnt a big puncher and Callum is a better up close fighter himself than he is fighting at range. Win lose or draw v Groves everyone will see Callum Smith is far better than Eubank (I genuinely can't think of something Eubank does better than him).
I like Callum, he's a decent chap easily the best of the Smith brothers but there is no way that he is a top 3 SMW AT PRESENT. All he has is youth and potential his marquee wins are Rocky Fielding, Skoglund and Christoper Rebrasse. It's an insult to people in the division who have put in graft and been in some tough fights. If he gets past George Groves in the final (which will effectively be his 'step up' fight) then he can definitely be considered top 3 and 'in the mix'. Based on Resume he is not even top 3 in the UK.
He has yeah. But I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, put a top class opponent in there and you will see a top class Callum Smith. I’m certain of that.
So you admit we cant be sure how good he is which is due to the sub par level of opposition he's faced so far, and unconvincing wins over said opponents, yet you are confident he is amongst the best 3 SMs in the world. That doesn't make much sense, im afraid my good friend.
Skoglund was top 4 in two governing bodies at 175ib including number 1 challenger in 1 and came down well in weight and looked a top 10 SMW. Smith's best 3 wins are against guys I would at time of fighting be in top 7-25 in the division. Hes beat everyone with a bit to spare, not bad for someone labouring.