I have a gut feeling that Smith will upset Beterbiev and win

You spoke it into existence.

 

Round 6 stoppage for Beterbiev

 

I don't see why they would be surprised, Beterbiev has a far better Amateur resume than Smith who is basically heart & power...Artur stoppage after 8th...

 

I hope not. That would be disgusting.

Fortunately, Beterbiev does not rely on judges.

 

Smith's best chance is to land something early. Beterbiev likes taking rounds to get in gear.

 

I agree. I don't think this fight actually will be that competitive, just don't think Smith can handle Beterbiev's pressure.

But to the extent Smith does have a shot, it's to land a bomb in the first four rounds.

 

As other's have noted, if Smith couldn't hurt / handle Vlasov, it's hard to see how he can deal with Artur for 12, I suspect it will be the bodywork that will pay dividends for Artur, and whilst Joe can hit like a mule, I don't think he has the skills to keep Beterbiev at range - AB really is excellent at cutting off the ring.

Only Bivol @175 has the ring IQ, footwork and engine to be able to take Artur the full 12, and even for him it's a tough task.

 

Smith will find it easier to land power blows on Arthur because he's not an awkward slick mover like Vlasov. He might have some success for that reason but in the end Arthur is going to give him a terrible beating

 

All Beterbiev has to do is close the range and he immediately takes away the space that Smith requires to get leverage on his punches.

 

A win over someone who hits as hard as Beterbiev is never a formality.

 

I said that if Bivol beat Canelo it would be a FOTY candidate and I was wrong (not the worst fight but not great), but I'm saying it again.

This is going to be a good fight. If Smith wins Beterbiev will put him through such hell in the process I think it will be remembered for years.

This is going to take years off both men's lives so the least we can do is watch!

I just rewatched Fonfara and you aren't kidding he was doing a Beterbiev impression when the critical punch landed. Smith has gotten much better since that fight.

That said I also took a peak at the Gvozdyk fight and Smith can't do half the **** Gvozdyk did just to stay afloat. He's gotten better at movement as in stepping but he hasn't graduated to bouncing yet.

AB has so much more experience with Bivol's style compared to Canelo or Smith, he grew up fighting the Bivols of the world.

That said Bivol's chin is a proven commodity IMO. A light buzz from Smith and a handful of full wind up shots from Canelo did nothing at all.

The problem revealed in the Vlasov fight was Smith took the same shot over and over again, no adjustments. And they took a serious toll. Worst of all it was an uppercut.

Regarding a robbery, there's been a lot of underdogs/B sides actually winning lately so there's hope. Also as much as New Yorker's hate Russia they hate the bridge

Fonfara was pretty close when Smith nailed him. Also Smith has not been above the odd "veteran move" so I suspect opening up AB's forehead will be a priority. This might be an odd situation where the shorter guy isn't always trying to close.

 

What is not being said about Smith, though, is that he clearly looks shopworn, imo. He reminds me of one of those fighters who has been through too many wars. Against Vlasov he was a punch away of being stopped at many times during that fight but Vlasov never quite caught him the way he needed to. He was buzzing him occasionally but missing on the KO punches. AB won't miss.

 

I have a gut feeling that Beterbiev beats the hell out of his next opponent, and the one after that, and the one after that.