Review by AllTheBestFights.com: 2018-02-24, pretty good fight between Callum Smith and Nieky Holzken: it gets three stars.Both undefeated, the WBC Diamond super-Mw champion Callum Smith entered this fight with a perfect record of 23-0-0 (17 knockouts) and he is ranked as the No.4 super middleweight in the world (currently the #1 in this division is George Groves) while his opponent, the former Glory Ww kickboxing champion Nieky Holzken (who replaces Juergen Braehmer, pulled out a few days before the bout with an illness), has a boxing record of 13-0-0 (10 KOs=77% – his kickboxing record is 90-14-0) and he entered as the No.24 in the same weight class. In their last two bouts Smith has defeated Luke Blackledge (Smith vs Blackledge) and Erik Skoglund (Callum Smith vs Erik Skoglund) while Holzken has beat Cagri Ermis and Viktor Polyakov. Smith vs Holzken is the semifinal of the World Boxing Super Series super-Mw tournament. Watch the video and rate this fight!
Date: 2018-02-24
Where: Arena Nürnberger Versicherung, Nuremberg,
Division: super middleweight (168 lbs, 76.2 kg)
Smith’s previous fight: Callum Smith vs Erik Skoglund
Smith’s next fight: George Groves vs Callum Smith
Smith vs Holzken full fight video:
(Free embeddable video hosted on Ok.ru and not uploaded by AllTheBestFights)
Official video
Holzken needed at least ten more fights, but props to him he came to win and fight. Now him leaving everything for the last 15 seconds to try steal a round was his downfall, especially in the second half. This suggests coming from kickboxing with its 3-5 round formats he hasnt yet found his cardio groove in boxing. He should have thrown more because he was connecting with good shots. He couldve won had he thrown more. As for smith, he probably outlanded nieky with the jabs alone. I dont think it was a bad performance, i thought it was an educated good performance against a sudden change of opponent from southpaw to orthodox who also happens to come from kickboxing and carries awkward movements, shots, high guard and stance from it. Well done to both guys, it wasnt a great fight but it was a good one, just needed some more action and drama.
agree, although I feel Smith fought cowardish behind his jab and certainly did not show the kind of confidence of a true champ in there. only his jab kept him from losing this fight. in potential holzken is a much better fighter. can’t see smith making any chance against groves.
Wim: I like very much Holzken but Smith did the fight that was more conveniently for his reach and style. Undoubtedly, as a boxer he is much more skillful than Holzken which is quite natural from a guy that started with this sport being so young. Unfortunately, Holzken was not allowed or able to connect his strong right hand due to Smith’s experience in this sport.
Very good fight but total domination from one side. It is impressive the accuracy, with all his punches, and the jabbing work displayed by Smith. He kept the right fighting distance during the whole fight which better suit his big reach advantage. However, also at the short distance his performance was excellent thanks to his experience and great skills. Nieky did very well taking into consideration the Smith’s boxing excellency. He was determined, aggressive and never give up. His chin is formidable and his boxing talent quite reasonable.