Artur Beterbiev (20-0, 20 KOs) secured the IBF/WBC/WBO light heavyweight title by defeating Callum Johnson (29-2, 21 KOs) in Quebec City on Saturday night.
(Courtesy of Mikey Williams/Top Rank)
In the seventh round, Beterbiev landed a powerful right hand on Johnson, causing him to stagger and struggle to remain upright. Beterbiev then proceeded to strike Johnson multiple times in the head, leading to a knockdown. Despite appearing seriously hurt, Johnson managed to rise before the referee’s count reached seven.
It was evident that Johnson would not make it through the round, but he chose not to clinch Beterbiev.
Beterbiev capitalized on the situation, delivering two more precise punches that resulted in Johnson being knocked down again. Johnson’s trainer, Buddy McGirt, intervened, prompting the referee to stop the match at the 2-minute mark of the seventh round.
Bernardo Osuna: “Artur, what does it mean to you to do this tonight in the snow? All the fans came to see you.”
Arter Beterbiev: “Again, it’s just luck. My coach and team work hard with me. Maybe that’s part of it, but I think it’s just luck.”
Osuna: “You have over 300 amateur fights and currently have 20 wins, so I doubt this is luck. What was your strategy today against the tall and long Callum Smith?”
Beterbiev: “We had several strategies. There is not just one. You have to prepare several strategies, but he gave me a good fight. He is strong and I was fine. I’m grateful to him, but luck was on my side today.”
Osuna: “Yeah, obviously luck and strength. He’s a fighter who’s never been knocked down in his professional career. He did it twice with this finish. What was the key to finally breaking him? Is it?”
Beterbiev: “I don’t know. This question is for my team, my coaches. They work on me. They know it. I don’t know. I just follow them.”
Osuna: “What we know is that Dmitri Bivol is the only other fighter to hold the 175-pound belt. Is that the fight you want next?”
Beterbiev: “Yes, of course. I need a fourth belt now.”
Osuna: “What does it mean for Artur Beterbiev to become the undisputed champion?”
Beterbiev: “In this category, I would say I have done my job. Undisputed world champion, which means top.”
Osuna: “Well, congratulations on winning. Bob. [Arum], the question for you is the indisputable Dmitry Bivol – Artur Beterbiev. Did it finish? ”
Bob Arum: “No, it’s not finished yet, but I definitely want to do it. I’ll talk to my friend His Excellency. I understand that he wants to do it, but Ramadan is coming up. Ramadan ends in mid-April. So about three months after the end of Ramadan, we will probably be ready to fight Bivol in Riyadh.”
