Eddie Hearn believes Callum Smith will produce a devastating knockout when he challenges Artur Beterbiev for the unified light heavyweight titles in Canada on Saturday.
Hearn will be ringside to see his charge Smith challenge Beterbiev for his WBC, IBF and WBO crowns in Quebec, live on Sky Sports in the UK.
The home favourite is undefeated in 19 professional bouts, winning all of them by stoppage, but Hearn has backed the visitor to pull off a stunning upset.
“Yeah, you know, you can just see it, you know?,” he told Matchroom Boxing’s YouTube channel.
“I mean, I remember when Callum Johnson fought Artur Beterbiev years ago.
“It was actually our first-ever Matchroom Boxing USA show on DAZN. And he dropped Beterbiev with a left hook. I can just – every time I think about this fight, you know, as Callum does, just catch, counter, I can see him knocking out Artur Beterbiev out cold in Quebec.
“It’s a tough task, but I really believe [Callum is] gonna do it.
“And, you know, people give him a good shot in that fight. And I do. I really believe Callum Smith will beat Beterbiev and become the unified light heavyweight world champion, two-division world champion as well.
“Can’t wait to be there. And, you know, it’s one of those nights where you go and get victory over there, and it’s just one that you really remember.”
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Smith has won two on the spin by knockout since moving up to light heavyweight after losing his WBA super middleweight world title to Canelo Alvarez in December 2020.
Beterbiev defended his belts with a brutal eighth round stoppage over Anthony Yarde last January, but at 38-years-old, Hearn feels that age is starting to catch up with him and insists ‘Mundo’ has the power to hurt him.
“And age,” Hearn added.
“You know, he had to pull out of the first fight [with Smith]. You know, saw him against [Anthony] Yarde, obviously a very good fighter, but just started to show a few signs.
“You know, I think he can be hurt. But a big danger, and Callum’s gotta get it spot on. But I believe he’ll do it.
“His two fights at light heavyweight, obviously against opposition not to the levels of Beterbiev, but iced them.
“And he can really punch. You know, he was at 168 for a long time, struggling to make the weight. So, this is a big shootout in Quebec.”
