The Smith family fighting dynasty faces what risks being its final battle this Saturday night.
Callum, the youngest and in fact the last of the four Liverpool brothers still in the prize ring, is aiming for a second world title in freezing Quebec.
Awaiting him, like a grizzly bear in the Canadian woods, is the most decapitating puncher in boxing’s brutal light-heavyweight division.
It is not without reason that Artur Beterbiev is known as the Beast from the East.
Born in Dagestan and becoming a golden boy of Russian amateur boxing, this human sledgehammer has demolished all 19 of his opponents since moving to Canada as a late professional.
Callum Smith faces a terrifying prospect this weekend in unbeaten Artur Beterbiev
Smith is aiming for a second world title, but his family’s fighting dynasty may now be in jeopardy
Beterbiev’s modus operandi is carnally simple: hunt down the enemy and take him out. He is a terrifying prospect to face.
The powerful power is described by Bob Arum, his longtime Hall of Fame promoter, as “the most powerful I’ve seen from any light-heavyweight in all my years.”
The three other members of the remarkable Smith quartet will be ringside, as is customary whenever any fight takes place.
They are the only family foursome to have all become British champions. Their combined total of British, Commonwealth, World and other assorted belts now comes to more than 30.
The eldest two, Paul and Stephen, have retired having bravely come up short against world-class champions at the highest level.
The other members of the Smith quartet are ringside (L-R: Paul, Liam, Stephen, Callum)
Liam, their born street fighter and former WBO light-middleweight champion, is considering his future after being stopped in his rematch with Chris Eubank Jr. in September. He’s 35.
Which leaves Callum to carry the flag to the Russian bear’s den.
A lot of attention is being paid to the fact that Beterbiev turns 39 later this month. So much so that his promoter Eddie Hearn predicts: ‘Callum is an even bigger puncher and he will knock Artur out, with a left hook counter.’
Hearn is not the only one who suspects that age is catching up with Beterbiev. Fingers are being pointed at how Anthony Yarde gave him a good half fight last year.
But like another British challenger to date, Callum Johnson, the Yarde bird was abruptly knocked off his perch. And as almost everyone in this difficult game knows, the punch is the last element of the repertoire that an aging fighter loses.
Beterbiev’s modus operandi is carnally simple: hunt down the enemy in the ring and take him out
Whisper it When Callum took on another big hitter – Mexican legend Canelo Alvarez – the first blow had such an impact that he found himself fighting on the back foot and mainly against the ropes for the remainder of a stunning 12-round decision against it.
By using these negative tactics, he outlasted brother Liam, who was knocked out in the ninth inning when Canelo was still a light-middleweight.
Recently, the searchlight for hope shone on Beterbiev, after he previously postponed this fight until this weekend to undergo surgery for tooth decay. And there’s no denying that Beterbiev has relied on both a granite jaw and iron fists in his destructive career.
But while his attacking style has left him open to defeat every now and then, he has always taken revenge so far.
Not that the man himself talks in such violent terms. As a devout Muslim, married with four children, he is also a real family man. He also has a quick sense of humor and says with a smile, “I’m a nice guy. I’m not a monster. Well, not outside the ring.’
Smith’s outside chances depend on how much he is willing to gamble against The Beast
Such sentiments have not stopped him from intimidating most of his opponents. Smith’s outside chances depend on how much he’s willing to gamble against a guy who does as much damage to the body as he does to the head.
In terms of risk and reward, the winner’s prize is to win the WBC, IBF and WBO titles in a mega-million fight for the undisputed light heavyweight world championship in Riyadh against WBC king Dmitry Bivol.
Every little bit helps when it’s a family affair. Callum, like his brothers in their battles, will once again have the word AUTISM engraved on his shorts. It is as a show of support for their sister, who was born with this condition.
Winning or losing those siblings will remain unchanged in their modesty. As Liam says, “It was always about family. It will always be that way because we all know boxing is a very short career.”
As he approaches his 34th birthday, whether Callum can drag out this family affair a little longer is in The Beast’s hands.
Beterbiev v Smith will be broadcast live on Sky Sports late on Saturday evening.
