Artur Beterbiev vs. Callum Smith odds, prediction: Boxing expert on 48-13 run reveals picks for Jan. 13 fight

Three-belt light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev will have a home-crowd advantage Saturday when he defends his titles against top-rated challenger Callum Smith in a 12-round boxing main event. Their matchup closes the curtain on the main Beterbiev vs. Smith fight card (10 p.m. ET) from Videotron Centre in Quebec City, Canada. Beterbiev, who holds the WBA, WBO and IBF light heavyweight crowns, was born in Russia but has spent much of his adult life in his adopted hometown of Quebec. On Saturday, he will fight in Quebec for the 10th time in his professional career and first since December 2021. Smith is an Englishman who has seen the bulk of his professional fights come in his home country and he has never fought in Canada.

Beterbiev is the -650 favorite (risk $650 to win $100), while Smith is priced at +460 in the latest Beterbiev vs. Smith odds. The over/under for total rounds completed is 8.5 (Under -110, Over -120). Before making any Beterbiev vs. Smith picks, make sure you see the boxing predictions and betting advice from SportsLine analyst Peter Kahn.

Kahn is a true boxing insider who has his finger on the pulse of what's going on inside and outside of the ring. He has managed numerous world champions and currently manages 20 fighters through his company, Fight Game Advisors. Kahn won the 2022 Boxing Writers Association of America Cus D'Amato Manager of the Year award and was named to the 2023 Florida Boxing Hall of Fame. 

Kahn is uncanny when it comes to picking fights. He is an astounding 48-13 on his last 61 SportsLine boxing picks, returning nearly $4,000 to $100 bettors. Anyone who has followed him has already seen massive returns.

Now, with Beterbiev vs. Smith in sight, Kahn has studied the matchup from every angle and released confident picks for the fight. You can only see his picks and analysis at SportsLine. 

Artur Beterbiev vs. Callum Smith preview

One of the clear motivating factors for Beterbiev (19-0) would be the myriad opportunities he could pursue if he puts on an impressive performance on a relatively isolated stage for combat sports this weekend. A dominant victory would surely boost his public profile and perhaps build the demand for higher-profile fights.

For instance, it could expedite a light heavyweight unification fight with WBA champion Dmitry Bivol. Both fighters have repeatedly asserted that the failure to make this fight is not due to lack of desire from the fighters but from the ever-present boxing plague of conflicts among competing promoters. However, a memorable performance from Beterbiev on Saturday could provide enough momentum for the promoters to find a way to get the division's most coveted mega fight done.

Moreover, a potential matchup with Canelo Alvarez could be on the table. Alvarez memorably was upset by Bivol and talks of a rematch with the WBA champion have subsided. But Alvarez has made it clear that winning as many titles in as many divisions as possible is his goal to build his legacy. He could claim three major belts by beating Beterbiev, and the matchup against an undefeated champion would be easy to market to the public. 

Although many boxing observers believe Smith could possibly pull the upset on the strength of his fundamental skills, Smith says he's confident he can beat Beterbiev at his own game and win the fight by stoppage.

Smith (29-1, 23 KOs) isn't known for his power punching, but his 72.4% finish rate is far from paltry, though it pales in comparison to Beterbiev's 100% finish rate. Even so, Smith has been known to wear down his opponents with volume and has power behind the combinations that he often throws in bunches.

Smith told the media this week that he has watched recent performances from Beterbiev and is convinced he can stop the three-belt champion. For instance, Smith mentioned that the aggressive Anthony Yarde connected with numerous power shots against Beterbiev but couldn't close the show.

"He's a very good fighter. His record speaks for itself, but he's not invincible. He can be hit and he can be hurt, we've seen that," Smith told the media. See who to back at SportsLine.

How to make Artur Beterbiev vs. Callum Smith picks 

Kahn likes the Under on total rounds. He's also locked in two other best bets, including a strong money-line pick and a method-of-victory-prop. You can only see those selections at SportsLine.