Callum Smith vs Mathieu Bauderlique Betting Odds and Prediction

Callum Smith vs Mathieu Bauderlique  Preview August 20th, 2022 

Former WBA Super World Middleweight Champion Callum Smith of Liverpool, England will be taking on southpaw Mathieu Bauderlique of France this Saturday, August 20^th on the undercard of the Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua rematch. Smith originally won his super middleweight belt by stopping George Groves in the seventh round of the World Boxing Super Series Final in September, 2018 and lost it in his third defence when he dropped a unanimous decision to Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez in December, 2020. He’s now fighting as a light heavyweight and this bout is listed as a WBC eliminator. Smith stopped Lenin Castillo in the second round in his light heavyweight debut last September while Bauderlique stopped Igor Mikhalkin after seven rounds the last time out in September as well and won the vacant European Light Heavyweight Belt. The fight can be seen on DAZN pay per view in most nations while those in the UK and Ireland can catch it on Sky Sports Box Office.

Smith vs Bauderlique Betting Odds

Here are the betting odds from online sportsbook BetOnline.ag (full review here).

• Mathieu Bauderlique +550
• Callum Smith -900

My Pick

The 32-year-old Smith has a fine record of 28-1 with 20 Ko’s and has boxed 148 rounds since turning pro in 2012. He’s definitely big enough for the light heavyweight division as he stands 6-feet-3-inches tall with a 78-inch reach. Smith enjoyed a fine amateur career and was once the British Super Welterweight Champion as an amateur. But other than facing Alvarez, Groves and Hassan N’Dam N’Jikam, he hasn’t really taken on anybody else who resembles a Grade A boxer.

Smith has also beaten the likes of Nieky Holzken, Erik Skoglund, Luke Blackledge, Norbert Nemesapati, Cesar Hernan Reynoso, Rocky Fielding and Christopher Rebrasse with a highly controversial decision against John Ryder in 2019 also thrown in there. He’s displayed pretty good power up to now though with a current knockout ratio of 69 per cent. Smith has also been an English, British, European, WBC International and WBC Silver Super Middleweight Champion since turning .

Bauderlique’s a 33-year-old southpaw with a record of 21-1 with 12 Ko’s and has boxed 110 rounds since making his pro debut in 2011 following a pretty good amateur career. He’s 6-feet-1-inch tall with an unlisted reach which means he gives up two inches in height to Smith. He has decent power in his fists with a current knockout ratio of 54.6 per cent and has stopped five og his last six opponents including the last three in a row.

The lone loss on Bauderlique’s record came at the hands of Dragan Lepei when he was stopped in the first round in 2017. Since turning pro he’s captured the vacant French, WBC Francophone, and WBA Inter-Continental Light-Heavyweight Titles. Bauderlique has never fought outside of France and his most recognizable opponent has been Igor Mikhalkin so he’ll be stepping up in class this weekend.

Prediction…

Smith showed a lot of toughness against Alvarez in his loss but he didn’t throw enough punches. Fans should expect him to be the aggressor this weekend instead of being on the defensive. He has the height, reach and power to be successful in the 175 lb division and needs to hit and hurt Bauderlique early and often to test his chin and make him think twice about attacking. Bauderlique should gain confidence the longer the fight goes but I think Smith has enough tools to beat him in what could be a close fight.

It won’t be easy, but I’m expecting Smith to emerge with a win.

Play: Smith -900 @ BetOnline.ag

Check out my recent boxing betting picks to see my current form.

Callum Smith betting • Mathieu Bauderlique betting