Callum Smith says he will knock Artur Beterbiev out in their light-heavyweight world title fight if he can produce the “best version” of himself.
Smith has the opportunity to become a two-weight world champion when he gets his shot at Beterbiev’s IBF, WBC and WBO titles in the early hours on Sunday morning, live on Sky Sports.
The unbeaten Beterbiev has won all 19 of professional bouts by knockout, but Smith (29-1), who in 2020 suffered the only defeat of his career to Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, is confident of causing an upset in Quebec.
“I’m a big believer in my own ability, I know how good I am, I know how good I can be, and providing the best version of me turns up, I believe I beat anyone on the planet,” Smith told Sky Sports after going head-to-head with Beterbeiv at the final press conference on Thursday.
“I’ve backed that up a lot of times before. Obviously I had the one slip in my career, but the best version of me knocks the best version of Artur Beterbiev out.
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Neither fighter gave much away as they came face-to-face for the first time in fight week, but Smith said the intense stare down had increased his focus.
