The WBA Super Middleweight title will be on the line on Saturday, November 23rd in Liverpool, United Kingdom, as unbeaten Callum Smith takes on John Ryder. Smith won the WBA title by knocking out George Groves last September and he is listed as a big favorite to defeat Ryder in this fight that can be seen on DAZN. Smith is 26-0 in his career with 19 knockouts, while Ryder is 28-4 with 16 knockouts. Let’s look at Smith vs. Ryder and boxing picks.
Boxing Odds at Bookmaker.eu
Callum Smith -2000
John Ryder +1150
Over/Under Rounds: Check Back Later
Callum Smith (26-0, 19 knockouts)
In his last five fights, Smith is 5-0, as he defeated Hassan N’Dam N’Jikam by 3rd round TKO in June, knocked out George Groves in the 7th round last September, won a unanimous decision against Nieky Holzken in February of last year, won a unanimous decision against Erik Skoglund in September of 2017 and knocked out Luke Blackledge in the 10th round in December of 2016.
Smith said to the media that Ryder is a big threat in this fight. “John Ryder poses a big threat. He wants to take what I’ve worked so hard for. I worked hard to win my World title and I’ve got to work even harder to keep it now. I’m expecting a tough fight from John Ryder, he’s in good shape and it’s a big opportunity for him. I just think the best version of me beats any Super-Middleweight on the planet. With the way I’ve been performing in the gym, I think I’m going to put in a big performance. You’ve got to respect him because he’s in good form. He’s won fights where he was the underdog and he wasn’t supposed to win.”
Smith is rated as the top fighter in the world in the 168 pound division and he will be defending his title for the first time. Smith has plans to fight Billy Joe Saunders in a title unification fight next year, but he can’t overlook Ryder. “This fight is like every other fight in my career, they’ve always been must-win. I always wanted to be where I am now so any loss along the way would have derailed those plans.” Smith said to the media, “Now people are talking about 2020 and the massive names and the thought of Anfield. All of that disappears if I lose to John Ryder.”
John Ryder (28-4, 16 knockouts)
In his last five fights, Ryder is 4-1. He won by 3rd round TKO against Bilal Akkawy in May, knocked out Andrey Sirotkin in the 7th round last October, knocked out Jamie Cox in the 2nd round in May of last year, knocked out Patrick Nielsen in the 5th round in October of 2017 and lost to Rocky Fielding by split decision in April of 2017.
Ryder is listed as a big underdog in this fight, but he has looked really good since losing a split decision to Fielding a couple of years ago. “I’m buzzing to be fighting for the full World title,” said Ryder to the media, “I’ve worked hard to get myself into the mandatory position and keep myself there. I feel like I’m in the form of my life and this opportunity has come at the perfect time. Callum Smith is a great opponent and a great champion but I feel unbeatable at the moment.''
Boxing Picks
Ryder looks to be a decent fighter, but Smith is a notch above him and he should win this fight. I am definitely not laying the big price on Smith so it is all about the rounds and the props for this fight. The only real chance for Ryder to spring a huge upset is to get a knockout and that means he has to take chances. I think that will result in a knockout win by Smith, so I will take the rounds to go under the total.
Boxing Pick: Smith to win by 5th round knockout
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With 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. Smith vs. Ryder will take place at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, UK on Saturday, November 23 and can be seen on DAZN.
