Paul Smith believes Callum Johnson’s fight with Artur Beterbiev shows how Callum Smith can emerge victorious.
Smith and Beterbiev meet on Saturday in Canada to contest the IBF, WBC and WBO straps held by the latter, and the 19-from-19 knockout artist is the heavy favourite.
However, Johnson knocked Beterbiev down in their bout in 2018, though the Canadian-based fighter was able to win in the fourth round regardless.
Speaking to Betway, Smith said that it gives encouragement to the challenger.
He said: “Yeah, it does, 100%. As I’ve said, we do truly respect Berbetiev’s record and achievement in Boxing – it would mad if we didn’t – but we’re not worried or thinking about what he’s done in the past; we’re laser-focussed on Saturday night. Callum (Smith) has sparred with Callum (Johnson) and while I’m sure they’ll both think they’re a bigger hitter, I genuinely believe - and again, I’m taking the family tie out of this – that Callum (Smith) is a heavier hitter and if Callum Johnson can put Berbetiev on the deck, I know that our Callum certainly can.
“It's going to be so important however, for Callum to keep his belief at every point in the fight, especially if the first few rounds don’t go his way. I’ll be honest and say I think that is a large part of why he was beaten by Canelo Alvarez; I think he felt on the back foot and let it get into his head too much, but hopefully, with that experience, he can put it to good use on Saturday night.
“You’ll know from the first couple of rounds how the fight will turn out. They’re both big hitters and it will be so key for each of them to show no respect in the ring and let the other know they’re there and that they’ve got a fight on their hands. I think this will be an electric fight and I do think it will be over before the end of the sixth round. They’re both massive hitters, so if one lands one early, it could really put the other in trouble.“