Callum Smith has emerged not just the top super middleweight in the world but also as a man that has is biggest and best days yet to come. Smith will be up against a journeyman veteran on June 1 when he faces former champion Hassan N’Jikam for the World Boxing Association and The Ring super middleweight titles. While Smith is a defending champion and prohibitive favorite N’Jikam is not a fighter that should automatically be taken lightly as a past two-time world title belt holder in his own right. Madison Square Garden, “The World’s Most Famous Arena” is the venue.
Boxing Odds at BookMaker.eu
Callum Smith -5000
Hassan N’Jikam + 1200
Over/under rounds - Check Back Later
DAZN will televise the unification title bout between Hassan N’Dam N’Jikam (37-3, 21 knockouts) and Callum Smith (25-0, 18 knockouts). This fight is scheduled for 12 rounds and will take place on June 1, 2019 at Madison Square Garden, New York.
Fight Preview
This title bout between Callum Smith and Hassan N’Jikam is part of the undercard on June 1 that is headlined by the heavyweight championship bout between Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz Jr.
Hassan N’Dam N’Jikam has spent the vast majority of his career fighting at the middleweight level but has had occasion action in the 168-pound division where he has had success. In his last time out Hassan scored a 12-round majority decision win over Martin Murray on December 22 in Manchester, England. Hassan almost had a date with Gennady Golovkin for June 8 at Madison Square Garden before the Golovkin team decided to go in a different direction. But the fact remains that N’Jikam is a massive underdog against Smith and many fans and gamblers are underwhelmed by the matchup. As a result, they are demanding that Smith win this fight with ease.
This will be the first title defense bout in the career of Callum Smith. He won his world championship last September by defeating George Groves in the World Boxing Super Series.
“I’ve had a good camp and I’m looking forwards to walking to the ring as a world champion for the first time in my career,” said Smith. “I worked so hard to get where I am and now the task is to keep hold of my titles and target those big fights. To have my first defense at Madison Square Garden is going to be special and it’s another box ticked for me personally. People call it the Mecca of boxing and I’ve always seen it as a venue that I’d love to fight at one day. The minute that there was a chance of that happening I pushed to make sure that I could be part of this show.”
Smith also expressed respect and admiration for N’Jikam. “N’Dam is a good fighter and he’s a former world champion. He’s only lost to three top fighters and he’s got some great wins on his record,” said Smith. “I had him over in England to help me prepare for George Groves so we know each other well. He’s a good mover, has good footwork and can move around the ring pretty well. Experience is on his side and he’s an awkward guy to face. Saying that, he’s definitely a fighter that I should beat and rid of if I’m on my game.”
N’Jikam stated confidence as the major underdog stating: “I am confident I will create a big surprise in New York. It is a true privilege for me to be given the chance to fight at Madison Square Garden for the first time in my life.”
Boxing Betting Tips
Simply put this is Callum Smith’s fight to lose. Or to put it another way Smith is the future. Hassan, while respected, is the past.
Boxing Odds Pick: Callum Smith
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With the boxing odds at BookMaker Sportsbook, you can bet on boxing all year, from smaller cards to pay-per-view events. Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker Sportsbook. Callum Smith vs. Hassan N’Jikam takes place on June 1, 2019 at Madison Square Garden, New York. The fight can be seen on DAZN
