Paulie Malignaggi was impressed by how Artur Beterbiev strategically outperformed Callum Smith in their three-belt light heavyweight title defense last Saturday night in Quebec City, Canada.
Beterbiev (20-0, 20 KOs) gradually gained the upper hand against Smith (29-2, 21 KOs) by employing a tactic of pushing him back, inflicting damage, then stepping back to give him a false sense of security.
Initially, Beterbiev attempted to overwhelm Smith by launching an aggressive attack in the opening minute as Smith defended against the ropes. For a brief moment, Smith seemed to be in trouble.
Malignaggi noted that Beterbiev, known for his forward pressure and powerful punches, used impressive movement and maneuvering around the ring to control the former WBA super middleweight champion Smith’s aggressive approach.
Luring the Opponent
“He frequently pushed Smith backward, and at times allowed himself to be pushed back. He would circle the ring, enticing Callum to advance more comfortably. This created new opportunities,” Paulie Malignaggi commented. Regarding last Saturday’s fight between Artur Beterbiev and Callum Smith.
“In a way, he [Beterbiev] fought with a technical approach. He wasn’t just relentlessly charging forward. Of course, when inflicting significant damage, he advanced and did what he does best. There were instances when Smith would advance, but it seemed as if Beterbiev was once again drawing him in, then retreating to give him a false sense of security in order to exploit openings.”
“It’s often challenging to expose vulnerabilities against formidable punchers like Beterbiev. I thought he executed his tactics very effectively that night. His game plan was well thought out, and he executed it proficiently,” Malignaggi remarked.
Putting Pressure on the Opponent
“He really made Callum Smith uncomfortable and subjected him to both physical and mental stress,” Malnaggi stated. “Many of Beterbiev’s opponents end up going several rounds, and it’s becoming evident that they can’t be taken out early on.
“You start to see how the pressure starts affecting them. They begin to feel physically and mentally drained,” Malignaggi observed.
