Callum Smith vs John Ryder Preview & Prediction

THE FACTS

Where is Callum Smith vs John Ryder taking place? The M&S Arena, Liverpool

When is Callum Smith vs John Ryder and what time does it start? Saturday 23^rd November, 2019 – 22:00 approx (UK)

What TV channel is Callum Smith vs John Ryder? Sky Sports Action

Where can I stream Callum Smith vs John Ryder? Sky Sports subscribers can stream the fight live via Sky Go. The fight will also be available to stream via the DAZN website & app

Where can I get tickets for Callum Smith vs John Ryder?
https://www.stubhub.co.uk/matchroom-boxing-tickets/grouping/1500210/

THE LOWDOWN

CALLUM SMITH

• Smith achieved the biggest win of his career back in September last year when he knocked out George Groves to win the WBA and The Ring super middleweight titles in the final of the World Boxing Super Series. He then made his debut in the US fighting in Madison Square Garden and extended his unbeaten record by finishing Hassan N’Dam N’Jikm in the third round defending his titles.
• Smith has not been as active but fights for the second time this year making a mandatory defence of his super WBA and The Ring super middleweight titles. He will also be fighting on his home patch in Liverpool for the 10^th time.
  
• Smith is a natural and rangy super middleweight with great hand speed for his size. He will have a significant six-inch reach advantage which he will accentuate by towering over Ryder at 6’3”.

JOHN RYDER

• In a slight rough patch, Ryder lost his WBA International middleweight title to Jack Arnfield in a unanimous decision but stepped up to super middleweight to win the vacant IBF title against Adam Etches. However, he then suffered his fourth career loss in a split decision to Rocky Fielding for the vacant British super middleweight title but he has found his mojo since with four straight finishes.
  
• During Ryder’s winning streak, he became the WBA #1 ranked contender when he ended Andrey Sirotkin with a ruthless body shot who was unbeaten at the time. He then went on to snatch the vacant WBA interim super middleweight title when he finished Bilal Akkawy back in May at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
  
• Ryder is a heavy-handed southpaw and even more dangerous at super middleweight with less weight to cut. He likes to fight in the pocket which will be crucial in negating Smith’s reach advantage and offloading combinations to attack the head and body.

THE PREDICTION

This is likely to be a closely fought contest for the first few rounds at least. Ryder needs to get in the pocket and attack the body of Smith but he needs to be aggressive and start fast. The longer the fight goes on, the more you have to back Smith as once he settles and starts to read Ryder, he is expected to utilise his reach advantage to pick off his shots from a safe distance. Ryder’s chin should prevent a finish but not enough damage to win the decision.

Winner: Smith via Decision