Author: Sean Close
Former champion Callum Smith (29-1) faced off against undefeated WBC, IBF, and WBO light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev on Saturday night in the main event broadcasted on ESPN. The fight took place in Quebec. Beterbiev aggressively initiated the fight, landing powerful punches from the start. Smith, however, managed to counter before the round ended. Despite Beterbiev’s dominance, Smith remained resilient.
Beterbiev continued to exert pressure in the second round, while Smith displayed agility and landed some blows. The following rounds maintained a similar pattern, with Beterbiev consistently showcasing his strength and Smith relentlessly fighting back, although visibly bearing the effects of the intense battle.
In the sixth round, Smith struggled to overcome Beterbiev’s dominance, and in the seventh, a brutal combination from Beterbiev sent Smith to the canvas. Despite rising again, a second flurry forced Smith down once more, prompting legendary trainer Buddy McGirt to intervene and stop the fight, sparing Smith from further punishment. Beterbiev’s commanding performance was lauded by many, and he expressed his desire to claim the WBA light heavyweight title, aiming for undisputed champion status in the division.
Beterbiev envisions challenging Dmitri Bivol, the current WBA titleholder, in a highly anticipated match that could potentially take place in Saudi Arabia. Bivol’s victory over Canelo Alvarez has added allure to the prospect of a showdown between the two skilled fighters in the near future.
