The first mouthwatering clash of 2024 takes place this weekend when light heavyweights Artur Beterbiev and Callum Smith come face to face in Montreal and Shawn Porter has now made his prediction.
Beterbiev is widely regarded as the heavy favourite given that he has knocked out 100% of his opponents so far including the likes of other Brits Callum Johnson and Anthony Yarde.
Smith has only had two early wins at light heavyweight and has been largely inactive over the last couple of years, though his only defeat has come at the top level to Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez down at super-middleweight.
Following Eddie Hearn’s prediction of the exact punch that Smith is going to deploy on his way to victory, former world champion Porter has now also had his say on his PorterWay podcast.
“Beterbiev is getting a little bit older, along with that his style, I’ve seen some deterioration from him, not moving as sharp, but he is still catching up with everybody.
“I don’t think Callum Smith is the guy, but I do want to go on record to say we’re going to see who he is now.”
He then said he is looking forward to seeing where Beterbiev is at in terms of his ring readiness, reactions and physicality.
“Even if he’s not tested we’re going to see what his reaction timing is like. I feel those things have decreased in his game. That intensity, I seen a little regression in that as well. I just want to see who he is now.”
Finally, he still predicted a victory for the Canada-based Russian.
“I think he gets Callum Smith if Callum doesn’t outbox him. He can be outboxed, but he catches up with everybody.”