Former WBA super middleweight champion Callum ‘Mundo’ Smith 29-1 (21) believes he has the power to knock out reigning WBC, WBO and IBF light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev 19-0 (19) to become a two-weight world champion when they meet at Centre Videotron in Quebec City, Canada on August 19.
The 33-year-old Brit will be fighting on the road for the fifth time in his past eight fights.
“I believe I knock him out. I’m confident in my own power,” Smith told Sky Sports.
“That doesn’t mean I think it’s an easy fight. I think it’s a very tough fight whilst it lasts but I just think he has been hurt and if I see other people hurt him then I definitely believe I can too.
“I’m very meticulous in what I do and I’ll be prepared for the toughest 12-rounds of my career, whether we need them or not, we’ll have to wait and see but the goal is to go over there, beat him, take his three belts and return home.
“I’ve become a world champion but I want to be a two-weight world champion. I think as a fighter you always want more and I worked hard to get into this position. I’ve finally got my chance to achieve my dream and it’s a fight I’m excited about and a chance I plan on taking.”
Since losing to undisputed super middleweight champion and Mexican superstar Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez 59-2-2 (39) on points in December 2020, Smith has scored a brace of knockout victories after moving up to the 175-pound weight class.
Russian Beterbiev, 38, who boxes out of Montreal, Canada, had to survive some rough moments in his last outing against Anthony Yarde 23-3 (22) before eventually prevailing with a knockout in the eighth in London in January.
Fight fans were hoping for a tasty showdown between Beterbiev and WBA counterpart Dimitry Bivol 21-0 (11) but will have to settle for a showdown against mandatory contender Smith instead.
It’s not a bad consolation prize.
Smith said his ring nous will get him over the line against the feared power puncher.
“I think I have got a bit more about my game. I think you’ve got to be a little smarter, I think I’ve got a good boxing brain, good attributes and I think you’ve got to use them to your full potential,” Smith said.
“At the highest level, the smallest mistake can lose you the fight, so I’ve got to be switched on. I’ve got a few weeks to drill in those repetitions and make sure I’ve got the right game plan, but I’m very confident in my own abilities.”
He added: “I believe on my day, when I’m at my best, I can beat anyone in the world and I do believe I’m at my best at the moment.”
