Artur Beterbiev v Joe Smith Jr predictions and boxing betting tips

Free tips, best bets and analysis for Artur Beterbiev v Joe Smith Jr from the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden, New York.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Main Event and Action, approx 3am Sunday

Best bet

Artur Beterbiev to win in rounds 1-6
2pts 11-4 Betfair, Hills, Power

Big-fight preview

The explosive Artur Beterbiev clashes with Joe Smith Jr in a light-heavyweight unification contest in New York.

Beterbiev is unbeaten in his 17 professional bouts and all of those victories have come by stoppage. The Russian-born boxer won the IBF 175lbs title when knocking out Enrico Koelling in the 12th round in 2017. King Artur then added the WBC belt, when stopping Oleksandr Gvozdyk in 2019, and that looks strong form.

Gvozdyk was previously undefeated himself and the Ukrainian won the strap when beating Canadian powerhouse Adonis Stevenson.

There was also a lot to like about Beterbiev’s latest win over Marcus Browne and King Artur’s form is miles above what Smith has shown.

The Irish Bomber has suffered three defeats in his 31 fights. One of those reversals came in the early stages of Smith’s career and another was against the elite-level Dmitry Bivol. However, the Long Islander was also turned over by Sullivan Barrera and wins over the likes of Maxim Vlasov and Eleider Alvarez are still short of the top-level.

Smith holds the WBO belt, but that was won in a vacant title contest against the exposed and ageing Vlasov and the American is likely to be outclassed in New York.

It’s 11-4 that Beterbiev wins this contest in rounds 1-6 and that looks a knockout bet.

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