“Have Some Respect”: Liam Smith Lashes Out At Journalist For His Remarks On Former Champ’s Take On Artur Beterbiev’s “Atypical Findings”

A rift has ensued between Dan Rafael and middleweight fighter, Liam Smith. The latter’s brother, Callum Smith registered his career’s second loss last week. In the wake of it, Liam pointed fingers at the opponent who defeated him. However, Rafael, a well-known reporter in the boxing world has now asked Liam Smith to accept his brother’s defeat, and “grow up.”

On January 13, Callum Smith lost to the knockout machine, Artur Beterbiev via the 20th knockout of the latter’s 20th fight. In a Quebec City event, Smith failed to grab his Russo-Canadian opponent’s titles when he was dropped to the canvas in the 7th round via a lethal technical knockout. In the wake of the scathing loss, ‘Mundo’s’ brother, Liam Smith questioned Beterbiev’s drug tests that were labelled ‘atypical’. As he did that, Dan Rafael chimed in with his own bits to say, which has now blown into an entire fiasco.

Liam Smith Questions Dan Rafael’s Journalistic Neutrality

Responding to ‘Beefy’ Smith’s doubts about Beterbiev’s elevated testosterone levels, the journalist asked the fighter to learn what ‘atypical’ tests meant, and that his brother was ‘destroyed’ by his opponent purely through his prowess. In reply to that, Smith suggested Rafael limit himself to his journalistic neutrality, and not side with Beterbiev. He wrote on X, “I do need to learn it, cos it stinks to be honest with you. But, your meant to be a neutral boxing reporter arnt you? Have some respect you fat c*ckeyed t*t.”

Ahead of the fight, the WBC explained that Beterbiev’s testosterone levels were flagged for ‘atypical findings.’ Upon learning of this, when the fight had elapsed, and his brother had lost, Liam questioned these findings. In an interview with Boxing Social, the Liverpool-based fighter remarked, “Atypical finding. What the f**k is it really? The damage is done, Callum’s lost. Even if it comes out now as an adverse finding, he was on something. It doesn’t matter. The fight went ahead and he got beat. If he comes out now and fails the drug test after the fight, Callum’s still lost.”

“Atypical findings” signify a report requiring further investigation. However, it does not mean the fighter has tested positive for a banned substance. When the interview began making its rounds on the internet, Rafael commented on it. He wrote on X, “Seems to me my man @LiamBeefySmith should learn what an atypical test means instead of throwing shade because his brother got destroyed.” 

Apart from Liam Smith, promoter, Eddie Hearn also joined the wagon in flagging Artur Beterviev’s VADA results. However, their doubts and insinuations were met with fortified responses by more tests that followed.

Beterbiev clears his name

In a letter that VADA notified Beterbiev’s atypical findings, the body also wrote, “An Atypical Finding is a report from a laboratory that further investigation, potentially including collection of additional samples, is warranted.” To clarify all doubts regarding the potential use of banned substances, the fighter was subjected to another test. World Boxing News reported that in those tests, Beterbiev subsequently tested negative.

Also Read: “He’s Got More Testosterone at 39 Than Us Four Brothers Put Together”: Liam Smith Makes Serious Allegations Against Artur Beterbiev’s “Atypical Finding”

While VADA’s release of the ‘atypical findings’ report was to ensure transparency. However, Hearn and Liam Smith expressed doubts regarding Artur Beterbiev based on it. Do you agree with their doubts or was Rafael’s response to Liam apt? Let us know in the comments section below.

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